After a break of 15 years, the Association of Indians in America (AIA) brought back its Medical Council Awards Gala on May 3, marking a significant return with an event that aimed to honor the professional and academic accomplishments of second-generation Indian American physicians and surgeons.
The gala was held at a historic New York City venue known for its Italian Renaissance-inspired architecture. It drew a diverse audience of both seasoned professionals and rising medical talents, with younger attendees making up about half of the participants. This balanced turnout signaled a bridging of generations and an intentional move to welcome the new wave of Indian American medical professionals into the AIA community.
Established in 1967, the AIA is the oldest national nonprofit representing Indian Americans in the United States. Initially focused on assisting early Indian immigrants with their transition to American society, the organization has since adapted its mission to address the needs and aspirations of a growing, more diverse second-generation community.
AIA national president Gobind Munjal emphasized that reviving the gala was a deliberate decision aimed at encouraging the participation of younger professionals while acknowledging their achievements. “The purpose of organizing this Medical Council Awards Gala,” Munjal stated, “is to recognize and honor the second generation of Physicians and Surgeons of Indian descent, who have excelled in their career, academics and profession, as the first generation has already made a mark and earned their recognition.”
Munjal described the event as a milestone for the organization, pointing to the increased involvement of younger AIA members not just as attendees but as active contributors to the event’s planning and execution. “This AIA Medical Council Awards Gala is of major historical importance, as younger members of AIA are taking leadership roles and organizing this event, while we, the senior members, are supporting them,” he said. “You will be glad to know that 50% of the people attending this Gala were from the younger generation.”
Due to the enthusiastic response, Munjal also announced that the gala would become a biennial event. “This Medical Council Gala’s tremendous success has excited a lot of next generation people and they have expressed interest in getting involved and becoming members. We will be having these Galas every 2 years or so,” he noted. In an effort to stay relevant and accessible, he added that the AIA is currently working to modernize its website to better serve and engage younger members.
The organizing committee for the gala featured a blend of experienced and newer professionals. Dr. Dolly Manvar served as chair of the medical council, while the vice chairs included representatives from the younger generation: Dr. Atul Kukar, Dr. Pallavi Manvar Singh, Dr. Aprajita Mattoo, and Dr. Pratichi Goenka. Munjal offered his appreciation for their efforts, saying he was grateful for their “commitment and hard work in making this Medical Council Awards Gala a huge success.”
Dr. Samin Sharma, chair of the AIA board of trustees, echoed these sentiments and praised the turnout. He called the gala the most successful event he had attended in his 15-year involvement with AIA. “For the first time we have seen in any organization so many people from the younger generation attending the Gala, which is remarkable,” he said. Dr. Sharma also proposed that the AIA create a charitable program to help communities in India, pledging a personal contribution of $100,000 toward such an initiative.
The evening included the presentation of awards to several distinguished honorees recognized for their exceptional contributions in various sectors of medicine and public service. Among them was Dr. Deepak Bhatt, honored for his work in research. Dr. Latha Chandran received an award for her achievements in medical education. Dr. Chethan Sathya was acknowledged for his public health advocacy, particularly his efforts in gun violence prevention. Dr. Shuvendu Sen, a published author, was also celebrated for his literary and academic contributions.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. Nirmal Mattoo, a respected figure in both the Indian American community and broader academic circles. Dr. Mattoo is a past national president of the AIA and currently serves as chairman of the Indo-American Arts Council. He also leads the Mattoo Center of India Studies at the State University of New York. The award recognized his longstanding commitment to promoting Indian culture and supporting Indian American professionals across multiple disciplines.
The return of the gala after a long absence not only revitalized a key tradition within the AIA but also helped redefine its future direction. By turning the spotlight toward second-generation Indian Americans in medicine, the event underscored the growing influence and maturity of this group within the broader healthcare community. At the same time, it reaffirmed the AIA’s commitment to evolving in step with the changing demographics of its members.
In bringing together a mix of emerging professionals and established leaders, the gala succeeded in fostering cross-generational connections and opened the door for more active engagement from young Indian Americans. It also laid the groundwork for future collaboration, mentorship, and shared initiatives that will help strengthen the role of Indian Americans in medicine and public life.
With plans to make the gala a biennial fixture and with a renewed focus on inclusivity and technological engagement, the AIA appears poised to build on this momentum. The organization’s leadership clearly sees the event as a platform not just for recognition but for community building and sustained involvement.
Ultimately, the 2024 Medical Council Awards Gala served as both a tribute to past achievements and a beacon for future progress, showcasing the excellence of Indian American physicians and the evolving legacy of one of the oldest Indian organizations in the United States.