The American India Foundation celebrated its 25th anniversary by raising a record $3.8 million at its annual New York Gala, honoring notable leaders in business and community impact.
The American India Foundation (AIF) celebrated its 25th anniversary at its annual New York Gala on June 9, 2023, attracting over 600 guests to Cipriani Wall Street. The event raised an impressive $3.8 million to support AIF’s initiatives in public health, education, and economic opportunity in India.
More than $1 million of the total amount was generated through the gala’s pledge drive, which included a significant leadership contribution of $300,000 from Global Board member Saira Lal. Since its inception in 2001, AIF has impacted the lives of over 23 million people across 35 Indian states and union territories, focusing on improving health outcomes, expanding access to education, and strengthening livelihoods.
The gala honored several distinguished individuals and organizations for their contributions to business, innovation, and community service. Recognized were Bharat Masrani, former CEO of TD Bank Group; Salil Parekh, CEO of Infosys; and BNY, a financial services company.
Among the attendees were corporate executives, philanthropists, and members of the Indian diaspora, all gathered to support AIF’s mission and learn more about its impactful work. The evening was hosted by comedian and former venture capitalist Dhaya Lakshminarayanan and featured a performance by the Young People’s Chorus of New York City.
Guests also experienced a virtual reality presentation showcasing AIF’s Learning and Migration Program (LAMP), which aims to improve educational outcomes for children affected by migration. The evening included a dinner curated by Chef Gaurav Anand, adding a culinary highlight to the event.
Bharat Masrani reflected on the mentors who shaped his career and connected those experiences to AIF’s mission. “We all had someone in our lives who believed in us… Someone who looked at us and saw—not what we were at that moment, but what we could become. AIF’s mission makes this possible for millions, and it’s why we are all here tonight,” Masrani stated.
Salil Parekh also shared his thoughts during the event, emphasizing AIF’s role in creating opportunities and the responsibilities of business and technology leaders in an age increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence. “I am deeply honored by this recognition from AIF. Over the past 25 years, AIF has transformed countless lives by creating opportunities where they are needed most. Infosys and I are proud to be part of this journey. As we navigate an AI-first era, our shared responsibility is to ensure that technology expands human potential, broadens access to opportunity, and creates meaningful impact for communities around the world,” Parekh remarked.
BNY was also recognized at the gala, with Chief Data & AI Officer Sarthak Pattanaik accepting the honor on behalf of the company. Pattanaik discussed the potential of technology to address longstanding social and economic challenges and highlighted BNY’s partnership with AIF. “We are at an inflection point where technology has the power to rewrite systems and eliminate long-held socio-economic barriers, with people at the center. BNY supports AIF at its own historic moment, leveraging 25 years of service and partnership for a tomorrow we can truly be proud of,” Pattanaik said.
AIF CEO Nishant Pandey reflected on the organization’s growth over the past quarter-century and its aspirations for the future. “AIF at 25 shows that enduring impact is possible when people come together across borders, sectors, and communities. Our success is driven by visionary philanthropy, strategic partnerships, and the ability to scale, and I cannot be more excited about the next 25 years,” Pandey stated.
The evening concluded with a heartfelt recognition of the donors, longtime partners, staff members, and communities that have supported and benefited from AIF’s work throughout its 25-year journey.
According to The American Bazaar, the gala exemplified the commitment and collaboration necessary to drive meaningful change in India.