The Association of Indians in America – New York Chapter honored seven exceptional individuals at its Grand Annual Benefit Gala 2026, celebrating their contributions to the Indian-American community.
Flushing, NY — June 7, 2026 — The Association of Indians in America – New York Chapter (AIA-NY), the oldest national association of Asian Indians in the United States, hosted its Grand Annual Benefit Gala 2026 at the prestigious Terrace on the Park. The event celebrated excellence, leadership, and community service across the Indian-American diaspora.
The gala was a vibrant celebration of achievement, service, and cultural pride, honoring seven exceptional individuals recognized as the “Ratnas” (Jewels) of the community. Over 300 distinguished guests attended, including diplomats, elected officials, healthcare leaders, entrepreneurs, media representatives, and community members from across the tri-state area.
The evening featured several congratulatory messages from dignitaries, including representatives from the Consulate General of India in New York, New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Senator John C. Liu, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, and Suffolk County Executive Edward P. Romaine, among others. During the networking cocktail reception, guests enjoyed the melodious accompaniment of accomplished tabla and sitar artists, enhancing the ambiance and fostering meaningful connections among attendees.
This year’s gala honored seven exceptional individuals, recognized as the “Ratnas” of the community, symbolizing their unique and invaluable contributions across various fields, including medicine, law, entrepreneurship, research, public service, and technology. Each honoree was selected for their outstanding leadership, professional excellence, and dedication to community upliftment.
Dr. Dattatreyudu Nori, an internationally acclaimed oncologist and pioneering physician, has dedicated over five decades to advancing cancer care. His groundbreaking work at institutions such as Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Cornell Medical Center has saved countless lives globally. A global thought leader and humanitarian, Dr. Nori has authored over 300 scientific publications and mentored hundreds of medical professionals. His exceptional contributions have earned him high honors, including the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, Padma Shri, and Padma Bhushan this year.
Dr. Sahil Khera, a faculty member at Mount Sinai Heart Hospital, serves as the Interventional Director of the Structural Heart Program and Quality Lead for Structural Heart Diseases. He leads complex, life-saving heart procedures and shapes the next generation of cardiologists through fellowship training and mentorship. Dr. Khera is recognized nationally and internationally for his expertise in minimally invasive heart valve therapies and complex coronary interventions, having performed more than 2,000 structural heart procedures.
Manish Dhadda, a distinguished New York-based entrepreneur and philanthropist, is widely recognized for his leadership in the diamond and jewelry industry. As the Co-Founder and Principal Partner of VIBHOR, he has played a pivotal role in building a family-owned enterprise known for excellence since its inception in 2000. Dhadda is deeply committed to giving back to the community, drawing inspiration from notable figures in philanthropy to blend entrepreneurial success with meaningful contributions.
Dr. Aprajita Mattoo, MD, is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at NYU Langone Health and the Associate Program Director for the Division of Nephrology Fellowship. As a transplant nephrologist, she redefines care for end-stage kidney disease patients. Driven by a personal mission to address the global organ shortage crisis, Dr. Mattoo has established herself as an expert in xenotransplantation, playing a critical role in historic pig-to-human kidney transplant trials.
Dr. Jagat Rawal, a highly respected physician and community leader, has served the diverse communities of Queens, New York City, for over three decades. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he kept his medical office open to care for patients and played a role in public health efforts by administering COVID-19 vaccinations. Currently, he serves as President of AAPI-QLI, where he has helped expand physician education, mentorship, healthcare awareness, and community outreach initiatives.
Jessica Kalra, Esq., an accomplished attorney with David A. Gallo & Associates, specializes in government, real estate, and litigation law. Her impressive background includes experience with the Office of Senator Hillary R. Clinton and the Department of State. She also advises the American Punjabi Society.
Pulkita Kini, the youngest honoree of the evening, is a dynamic technology leader and entrepreneur in AI and product innovation. Currently pursuing her MBA at Harvard Business School, she has prior experience at Microsoft and Cloudflare and is now building Tara AI to empower publishers to control and monetize AI content.
Looking ahead, AIA-NY announced its upcoming 39th Deepavali Celebration and Live Fireworks 2026, scheduled for October 3rd (with a rain date of October 10th) at Overlook Beach, Babylon, Long Island. This event continues the tradition of celebrating Indian heritage and cultural unity.
President Beena Kothari expressed her sincere appreciation to all attendees, dignitaries, elected officials, special guests, and esteemed honorees. She acknowledged the unwavering support from her family and the team working tirelessly behind the scenes. Kothari also thanked the AIA Board of Trustees Chairman, Ravishankar Bhooplapur, the Board, the National AIA President, all past presidents, and the current AIA-NY Executive Board members.
Special recognition was extended to Gala Chair Kanak Golia, Co-Chair Dr. Sanjay Lodha, Finance Chair Dr. Tarun Wasil, and Finance Co-Chairs Dr. Sharad Kothari and Aruna Saxena. The evening culminated in a captivating performance by Kunal Lamba, one of New York’s acclaimed singers, bringing the celebration to a memorable and inspiring close.
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