The oath ceremony commenced with the singing of the American and Indian national anthems by Bina Sabapthy, Jyoti Gupta, and Roopam Maini, followed by a graceful Ganesh Vandana performance by Hamsaasya School of Dance. Harsh Vyas and Jasbir Jay Singh served as emcees for the evening.
President Beena Kothari and other dignitaries delivered inspiring speeches, emphasizing the importance of preserving Indian heritage and culture in the USA while promoting integration with mainstream America.
AIA-NY Executive Committee consists of: President: Beena Kothari; Vice Presidents: Anita Thakkar, Dr. Tarun
Wasil, Harsh Vyas, Nilima Madaan; Treasurer: Dr. Bal K. Gilja; Secretary: Dr. Sharad Kothari; Members-at-Large: Anju Sharma, Bhavana Sharma, Deepak Bansal, Deepika Modi, Dr. Narendra Lodha, Dr. Sumita Sengupta, Dr. Usha Bansal, Gobind Bathija, Jay Jasbir Singh, Jyoti Gupta, Kiran Reddy, Parvathala, Narinder Kapoor, Navneet Agarwal, Nick Garg, Nutan Roongta, Roopam Maini, Sanju Sharma, Surin Manaktala, Swati Vaishnav, and, Satnam Singh Parhar.
In her inspiring address, President Kothari highlighted the significance of cultural preservation and community engagement. “We represent not only ourselves but also our rich cultural heritage, values, and aspirations. We are the bridge between our Indian roots and our American dreams. Together, let us strive to take AIA to new heights and continue to serve our community with pride and purpose.”
She also emphasized the importance of youth involvement in AIA activities and fostering young leadership, saying, “We will encourage and induct young leaders who have grown up with our motto of ‘Indian Heritage and American Commitment’ and have great potential to shape the future of AIA.”
AIA- NY Chapter has planned several new initiatives, including, Holi Celebration – March 26th in collaboration with CUNY Asian American Student Board; National AIA Medical Council Awards Gala – May 3rd, at Cipriani 42nd Street, Manhattan; Annual Fundraising Gala for Deepavali – June 1st; Desi Next Youth Programs – (TBD); Fundraiser Dinner for AIA’s Project India – July 20th; and, AIA-NY Iconic Deepavali Festival – October 2025.
Beena Kothari expressed her heartfelt gratitude to past presidents, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters who have
played a pivotal role in AIA-NY’s success. The evening concluded with a thank-you note from Treasurer Dr. Bal K. Gilja and Secretary Dr. Sharad Kothari, followed by a celebratory dinner. A special plaque was presented to the outgoing President of AIA-NY, Dr. Jagdish Gupta, in recognition of his service and dedication.
Beena Kothari is a distinguished community leader with a profound impact on the Indian-American community. She has previously served as President of IALI (Indian Association of Long Island), GOPIO-NY, and India Day Parade in Long Island. Through her extensive associations, charitable initiatives, and collaborative relationships, Beena has demonstrated 
an unwavering commitment to fostering connections, promoting cultural understanding, and supporting community well-being.
A seasoned professional, Beena has over 20 years of experience in real estate, with a distinguished career at Fortune 500 companies, including JP Morgan Chase, IBM, Sony, and Time Warner, where she served as a Global IT Team Manager.
Embracing the inclusive spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (The World is One Family), Beena strives to break down barriers and build bridges. She is deeply committed to empowering youth and women, believing in their potential to drive positive change and become future leaders.”My ultimate goal is to contribute meaningfully to the community, spreading love, kindness, and compassion, and making the world a better place for all,” she said.