COLUMBUS -- Students come from as far away as Saigon and Calcutta to study at The Ohio State University, bringing with them a rich cultural heritage that enhances the lives of students, faculty and staff throughout the university.

During Asian Awareness Month 2000, April 27 through May 31, Ohio State's Asian community will share elements of that cultural diversity as it hosts a month of learning, fun, food and entertainment for all to enjoy. In addition, the month provides educational opportunities to learn about Asian Americans: persons of Asian descent who are United States citizens or permanent residents.

"The Asian and Asian American community at Ohio State is very diverse within itself," said Sheila Kapur, coordinator of Asian American Student Services. "Asian Awareness Month gives us an opportunity to learn by sharing these exciting differences with each other and the campus community. It is a great cultural experience for everyone at Ohio State."

The month will kick off with the Asian Food and Cultural Fair, 5 to 7 p.m., April 27, in the Ohio Union Ballrooms, 1739 N. High St. This event highlights the diversity of Asian cultures with food, a fashion show and cultural entertainment. Admission is $5. The evening also will include a talent showcase featuring performances by Asian-American and international students and will be held from 7 to 9 p.m., in the Ohio Union East Ballrooms.

Other events include:

April 28 -- Tobacco Industry Lies -- 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Westin Hotel, 310 S. High St., Columbus. Dileep G. Bal, president elect of the American Cancer Society (ACS), will talk about the effects of smoking on the Asian-American community. RSVP to Ginger at the ACS, 889-9565. (See follow-up program on May 16)

April 29 -- Twenty-five Years Looking Back: The Fall of Saigon -- 7 p.m. to 2 a.m., Beightler Armory, 2815 W. Dublin-Granville Road. The event will feature speakers, cultural performances, professional entertainers, a fashion show featuring the history of Vietnamese dress and a martial arts play.

May 1-31 -- Asian Art Exhibit -- 2nd Floor Lobby, Bricker Hall, 190 N. Oval Mall.

May 2 -- Plans After Graduation: The Asian-American Studies Connection -- 6 to 8 p.m., Ohio Union Conference Theatre. Ohio State students and professionals from the Columbus community will discuss how courses in Asian-American Studies can be helpful in a person's professional and personal life. Refreshments will be served.

May 4 -- Asian Americans in the Midwest: Filipino American Diversity, Identity, and A Century of History -- 4 to 5:30 p.m., Ohio Union Memorial Room. Barbara M. Posadas, professor in the Department of History at Northern Illinois University, is the featured speaker.

-- Buddhism in Everyday Life -- 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., room 29 Derby Hall, 154 N. Oval Mall. The Lotus Sutra Buddhist Society student organization at Ohio State talks about Buddhism.

May 6 -- Buckeye World Tour -- 3 to 9 p.m., Fred Beekman Park, corner of Lane Avenue and Kenny Road. A festival of international food, music, dance, entertainment and sports. Music will include the Irish band Knot Fibb'n and a Salsa band, Yumbambe, in an event that also concludes OSU's International Week.

May 16 -- Tobacco Industry Targeting Asians and Asian Americans: Recognition our Community Doesn't Want -- 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., M-100 Starling Loving Hall, 320 W. 10th Ave. Discussion will focus on what Asian Americans can do to counteract tobacco industry marketing techniques.

-- An Evening of Asian American Writers -- 7 to 8:30 p.m., Ohio Union Stecker Lounge. Local and regional authors discuss Asian-American and multicultural writing, and read selections from their own books and manuscripts-in-progress. Book signing to follow.

May 17 -- Health and Beauty Fair -- noon to 4 p.m., Ohio Union Ballrooms. An informational fair featuring agencies specific to women's health and beauty, including free massages, HIV testing, a bloodmobile, hairstyles and giveaways.

-- Asian-Indian American Women: The Second Generation Experience -- 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., Ohio Union Memorial Room. Meera Rastogi, Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Psychology, will describe a recent study of women of Indian descent who were born or raised in the United States.

May 18, 19 -- "Earth" -- 7 p.m., Wexner Center for the Arts Film/Video Theater, 1871 N. High St. Director Deepa Mehta, well known for her film "Fire," explores in the film "Earth" the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947. The film uses the eyes of an 8-year-old girl to filter the events following the British partition of India into two countries, one predominantly Hindu and one predominantly Muslim. (104 mins.) Call 292-3535 for tickets and information. Admission: $5 for the general public and $4 for students and Wexner Center members.

May 20 -- China Night -- 8 p.m. to midnight, Dreese Lab Auditorium and Lobby, 2015 Neil Ave. The program includes folk music, a movie, Chinese dance groups and Karaoke. Call 538-0276 for more information.

May 23 -- "Silence Broken" followed by discussion with director -- 6:30 p.m., Ohio Union Conference Theatre. This documentary film features the true testimonies of former comfort women, victims of institutionalized sexual slavery during World War II. Dai Sil Kim-Gibson, author of the complementary book, also entitled Silence Broken and director of the film, will entertain questions or comments following the film in an effort to promote awareness of this aspect of Asian-American history.

May 27 -- The Hubei Art Troupe of China -- 8 to 10 p.m., Riffe Center Theaters, 55 E. State St. The Ohio-Hubei Sister State Friendship celebrates its 20th anniversary with acrobatics, Chinese folk songs and dances, and traditional music instrumental performances. Tickets are $15. For more information, contact Dr. Shen at 538-0276.

May 27, 28 -- Asian Festival -- Sat., 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sun., 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Franklin Park International Center, 1777 E. Broad St. The Fifth Columbus Community Asian Festival represents a united effort of the many diverse Asian groups in central Ohio to highlight their arts, culture and food. For more information, contact Yung-Chen Lu at 292-0613.

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