(Roselle Park, NJ: March 8th, 2019) During a fun raising event organized by the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin New Jersey Chapter (AAPI-NJ) on Sunday, March 3rd at the Castle in Roselle Park, NJ, over $50,000 was raised for the families of the martyrs killed in Pulwama Terrorist Attack last month.
Attended by the members, families and supporters of AAPI, the event was organized in collaboration with the India World Foundation, World NRI Associaiotn, Federation of India Associations, and BAJANA.
A Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the bus they were travelling in. Over 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Jawans were killed and dozens of others injured in a blast in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, February 14th. The blast was triggered by militants to target two vehicles carrying the CRPF jawans.
Ambassador Sandeep Chakravorty, a member of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) since 1996, currently serving as the Consul General of India, in his keynote address, while praising the Indian Army Men and Women who risk their lives for protecting the nation from enemies, lauded the Government of India’s bold and calculated response to the Pulwama Terrorist Attack. The Consul General lauded the fundraising effort, and said it showed “amazing support for India, amazing support for our soldiers. Amazing support for the government.” He added that “the message that is going out from here is that India has changed forever; will not take attacks against our sovereignty.” He urged the international media to be more understanding and objective while reporting terrorism and its impact especially in the South Asian region, and the fitting response by the Government of India.
Dr. Binod K. Sinha, President, New Jersey Chapter of AAPI, said, “The attack brought about huge anguish all across the world. It is good to see all of you gathered here. We received donations of more than $50,000 in spite of a bad snow storm. I want to assure that the money raised will be directly transferred directly to the families of the victims through Bharat Ke Veer App by Bollywood star Akshay Kumar.”
Dr. Pradip Shah, Secretary, AAPI NJ chapter, said that the organization was “proud to do this program.” He added, “We are here for community, and the nation. No amount is too small (to donate). Our goal is to help the community, and our nation. We will continue to do this.”
Dr. Hemant Patel, Chair of Board of Trustees, AAPI-NJ Chapter, in his address, thanked the NRIs for rising to the occasion and supporting noble causes such as this. “We always raise to the occasion and give our best to our motherland India,” Dr. Patel said. He pointed to many noble causes AAPI has initiated with local Chapters from across the United States, showing our ongoing support and commitment to India.
In his welcome address, Dr. Raj Bhayani, Convenor of the event, said, “It’s with great humility, I welcome you all as we have come together to honor our Jawans, who have laid down their lives in protecting our motherland, India. We are grateful to God that such brave men ever lived. They have sacrificed their lives for a greater cause, protecting our freedom. India’s army men sacrifice their lives in order that India will continue to stay free. We salute them.”
Dr. Naresh Parikh, President of AAPI, in a message, thanked AAPI-NJ Chapter And its members for initiating the noble cause on behalf of national AAPI and expressing our solidarity and support for the martyrs of the terror attack and the families of those who sacrificed their lives in protecting our motherland India. American Association of Physicians of Indian origin (AAPI), wants to express our sincere appreciation and gratitude to the United States Administration, the Lawmakers and the public, who have overwhelmingly expressed their deep concerns of the ongoing terrorist activities, particularly the most recent heinous terrorist attack on CRPF personnel in Kashmir last month,” said Dr. Naresh Parikh, President of AAPI in a statement here.
Dr. Suresh Reddy, President-Elect of AAPI, said, in a statement, “Attack on the CRPF personnel in Kashmir is despicable. We at AAPI strongly condemn this dastardly attack. Sacrifices of our brave security personnel shall not go in vain. We strongly urge all members of the international community to support India’s efforts to root out terrorism.”
One in seven patient encounters in the United States is with a physician of Indian origin. The American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) is the largest ethnic medical organization in the United States, representing over 100,000 physicians of Indian origin in the United States. For more details, please visit: www.aapiusa.org