Category: Community

The Indian American Muslim Council hosted its annual convention on Saturday, October 14, 2023, anchored on the theme of “Upholding Democracy and Human Rights: A Global Call to Action.” The event was convened at the Plano Events Center in Plano, Texas, and saw over 1,000 attendees.

In addition to a full day of panel discussions on human rights in India and the US, the event featured a wide-ranging bazaar with local vendors selling South Asian apparel, as well as Islamic art, books, children’s toys, and even solar panel installation services. Also included in the bazaar were book displays on the global persecution of Muslims, the increasing presence of Hindu far- right nationalist groups in the United States, and young adult fiction. Anchoring rows of tables was a candle-light memorial kept burning all day with the names of victims of anti-minority attacks in India superimposed on the famous India Gate in Delhi.

Panels convened throughout the day to offer convention participants the opportunity to learn about conditions that Muslims, Christians, Dalits, and other persecuted minorities are facing in
India, the rise of Hindu nationalist groups in India and the United States, and the need to organize across faiths in order to present a united front against India’s ruling Hindutva (or Hindu
nationalist) party, the Bharatiya Janata Party. According to The Guardian, Hindutva is rooted in Hindu supremacism, an ideology that aims to transform India into the Hindu Rashtra (nation)
where Muslims and Christians are reduced to second-class citizens and Hindus enjoy higher status.

After a rousing prayer led by Plano’s own Dr. Zafar Anjum, Imam at Colony Masjid, Shaikh Omar Suleiman delivered the convention’s keynote address.

The Consulate General of India in New York, in collaboration with Shanti Fund, organized a special event called ‘India Calling’ on October 16, 2023, at the Walt Whitman Museum in
Huntington, New York.

This event paid homage to Walt Whitman, a renowned American poet, essayist, and thinker, who had a profound spiritual connection with India.

The ‘India Calling’ exhibit, housed at the Walt Whitman Birthplace Museum in Long Island, delves into Whitman's ties to ancient Indian philosophy. Walt Whitman's literary style was a fusion of transcendentalism and realism, earning him the title of the pioneer of free verse.

Among his notable works is the epic poem “A Passage to India” which spans2300 words and seven pages. In it, Whitman weaves together his romanticized visions of India with modern marvels like the transcontinental railway in the USA and the Suez Canal. He also celebrates India's unique contributions and its breathtaking landscapes.

The event drew a distinguished audience from the community, including Mr. Rakesh Kaul, Vice-Chair of the Indo-American Arts Council, who shed light on Whitman’s literary legacy and his
affinity for India. Cynthia Shor, Executive Director of the Walt Whitman Birthplace Association (WWBA), extended a warm welcome and provided insights into the activities of the WWBA.

Jo-Ann Raia conveyed greetings on behalf of the Board of Trustees of WWBA. Addressing the gathering, Mr. Randhir Jaiwal, Consul General of India in New York, spoke about Walt Whitman’s life, enduring influence, and his deep-rooted interest in India.

He also delved on the deep historic and philosophical and spiritual connects between India & the U.S. Mr. Arvind Vora of Shanti Fund expressed gratitude on behalf of the organization,
underscoring the significance of the event. The event was a testament to the enduring connection between Walt Whitman, India, and the rich tapestry of shared ideals and inspirations.

Hari Om Mandir, Medinah, IL hosted the Annual Fundraiser Dinner, at the Pearl banquet, Roselle, on Sept 16, 2023. Patrons, Founder Members, Devotees, Community Leaders from various Social Organizations, joined hands to raise Funds for the cause of Community Services, Growth & Development, Future Expansion Projects of the Mandir.

The gala evening started off with a red-carpet Welcome for all the Guests who attended the Program. A huge Backdrop with the Mandir Logo was set up at the Entrance, and it was an honor to be clicked there for a memorable evening. Photographers were ready to roll their cameras and capture every guest who walked in…exhibiting their best attire and joyous mood! Very soon the venue became a hot favorite for friends and families to take pictures and make their presence at the function, a day to remember.

The program formally started with an auspicious Diya Lighting Ceremony, amidst chanting of Mantras by the Mandir Priests: Acharya Ram Naresh Vajpayee & Shastri Dharmender Bhatt. Chaiman BOT, Brij Sharma, President EB, Vipan Wadhera, Chairman FundRaising Committee, Anil Saxena and Prem Salwan from Salwan Trading lighted the lamp and the program was kicked off with a bang.

Emcees of the Evening, Pratibha Jairath and Mona Sharma welcomed one and all and spelled out the grand Entertainment lined up for the evening. Classical Dance, Bollywood Singing, Rajasthani Folk Dance- Ghoomer, Punjabi Giddha etc was all included in the packed Variety Program. Pratibha Jairath and Dr Pradeep Sood were the Star Singers of the evening, who enthralled the audiences with their melodious songs – all time old favorites down the memory lane, as well as the fast modern upbeat numbers. Very soon, Couples were on the Dance Floor swaying on slow Vault Dancing songs. Finally, just as Dr Sood sang the all-time hit Punjabi songs, the Floor was filled with people dancing away to glory!!!!!

Anil Saxena, Chairman Fund Raising, outlined the purpose of the evening and gave a brief update on the ongoing Project from 2022 – Hanuman murti. He shared the progress made on the project from last year, and the remaining funds required for completion. He thanked everyone for their past donations and requested people to continue with their generosity to help Mandir in achieving its goals.

Vipan Wadhera, President Executive Board, emphasized the significance of the Temples today as a source of preserving our roots of Indian spirituality, Values, Heritage & Culture. Collective Prayers in the Temples generate positive Vibes and provide mental peace and solace to everyone who visits the temple. He made a final appeal for Donations to help the Mandir in conducting Community Service Programs like Medical Camps, Food Drives, Yoga Camps etc, Mandir Growth & Dev Projects. He thanked all Members of the Board and Devotees, who helped him throughout the year for organizing programs, celebrating all Festivals with enthusiasm. No Donation is Small – Every Penny Counts!!!

The fun filled evening concluded with a sumptuous dinner and open dance Floor. The President thanked all the donors and finally announced the success of the evening Target Collection had been achieved and a big thank you to all for attending.

IACA celebrated its Gala Event, on Sunday Sept 10th, 2023 at Ashyana Banquets in Downers Grove, IL. The unity in diversity and cultural pride diverse cultural troupes, celebrated with pride on stage. Youth IACA’s special performance showcased IACA’s mission and work over the years. IACA honored its Heroes for their immense bravery, dedication and service to the community. Incredible heroes walk among us delivering kindness and making a difference every day. Mesmerizing performance by Udaan Entertainment from Mumbai. Their orchestral performance was beyond excellence that touched everyone’s heart. All the singers had such soulful voices.

The Event was graced by Consul, Mr. Vinod Gautam, Dr. Gopal Lalmalani, FIA Founder/President, Mr. Sunil Shah, Vandana Jhingan Ji, Mrs. Meghna Bansal – Trustee, Wheatland Township, Mr. Ajit Pant, Mr. Rakesh Malhotra, Mrs. Madhu Uppal, Mr. Haribhai Patel Ji, Dr. Umang Patel Ji, Mrs. Neel Patel – Assistant Director, Ray Graham Association, Mr. Sohan Joshi, Dr. Jayashree Raju and many more well-known dignitaries from Chicagoland area.

Among the Veterans and Law and Enforcements officers honored were, Mr. Raj Pillai US Navy Veteran, Mr. James Mendrick DuPage County Sheriff, Mr. Kevin Coyne – Founder and CEO of Safe Suburbs USA, Mr. Mike Geiger – Naperville Police Officer, Mr. James “Casta” Castaneda- US Marines Veteran, Mr. Michael Tellerino- Founder and CEO, K9’s for Veterans, Mr. Jerome “Sonny” Zdancewicz- US Army Veteran (7th Cavalry Regiment).

The event was joined by IACA’s Executive Board Members Vinita Gulabani – President, Mr. Sohan Joshi-Chairman, Raj Narayan-Vice President, Shanu Sinha -Secretary, along with Executive Directors, Kamlesh Kapoor, Anita Sood-Beri, Pratibha Jairath, Manika Kumari, Nisha Sinha, Rahul Wagh, Pallavi Mantri Wagh, and Sudha Jaiswal.

Youth IACA Club has been formed under IACA umbrella, to get our children educated about both Indian and American Cultures through their cultural classes being conducted in the libraries and also to get our youth involved in Volunteering Services in our Community. Youth IACA kids showcased IACA’s mission and cultural education through a mesmerizing Skit, that got the audience applaud and appreciation. All kids were awarded with certificates and medals following their skit. The Youth IACA kids who participated in the Skit were, Ria Raj, Nysa Ranjan, Ridhima Bembey, Simran Kaur, Shlok Jaiswal, Shrey Jaiswal, Abhishek Rasalkar, Shivi Prabu, Nishika Dubey, Nithik Wagh, Niya Kaushik, Saarth Kaushik and Yukta Matcha.

The evening started with Indian and American National Anthems sung by Nipa Shah and Samaira Bongale and later followed by some cultural programs. Children presented colorful cultural performances and entertained the event paying respect for both the countries & cultures. Udaan Entertainment from Mumbai took over the stage later with their magical singing performance.

The program ended with a Vote of thanks by Treasurer, Richa Pal. Thanks to all the folks who supported IACA with their sponsorships/donations to help continue IACA’s mission in the community. The evening was wrapped up by expressing gratitude of thanks to the community for their continued support.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs issued an advisory urging Indian nationals in Canada and those planning to travel there to exercise caution on September 20. The warning was issued in response to allegations that New Delhi was involved in the murder of a Sikh separatist in Canada.

​“In view of growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes and criminal violence in Canada, all Indian nationals there and those contemplating travel are urged to exercise utmost caution, “ the advisory read. 

It also brought attention to the fact that Indian diplomats and other members of the Indian community who opposed the anti-India agenda have been the direct targets of threats. As a result, citizens of India were cautioned against visiting parts of Canada where such incidents had taken place. 

The advisory emphasized Indian students to be extra cautious due to the worsening security situation in Canada. The safety of the Indian community in Canada would be ensured through regular communication between the Indian Consulate General and local authorities, it stated.

For better communication between the High Commission and the Consulates General with Indian citizens in Canada in the event of an emergency or incident, it was also suggested that Indian nationals and students register with the High Commission of India in Ottawa or the Consulates General of India in Toronto and Vancouver via their respective websites or the MADAD portal (madad.gov.in.). 

Battery Dance, an arts organization located in what was the “Frozen Zone” after 9/11, remembers the victims of the attacks on the World Trade Towers 22 years later, curating a public program of Indian classical dance and music.  At 8:26 a.m. on Monday, September 11th, the voices of Hindustani classical musicians Ritesh and Rajnish Mishra, will echo from the traffic island at Franklin Street and West Broadway in Tribeca, along with the ankle bells of Kathak dancer Parul Shah and rhythms of tabla player Naren Budhakar.

The event, staged impromptu and with no intention of collecting donations and with no seating, follows Battery Dance’s earlier memorial events staged in the same spot in September 2001 and 2021, a location chosen because the towers had been in the view corridor of the traffic island which now looks out on empty sky.  It also follows a public performance staged at the World Trade Center that Hollander organized in 1999, the first time Ritesh and Rajnish had performed in North America with their father and uncle, Rajan and Sajan Mishra.

Delhi-based brothers, Ritesh and Rajnish Mishra, come from a long-line of Hindustani classical musicians, with their father and uncle being two of the most beloved and revered artists of their generation.  They have built a reputation for themselves over the past two decades with five previous U.S. tours, numerous Indian national awards and 10 recordings to their credit.

Parul Shah is a leading dancer in the North Indian classical style of Kathak, a form that combines elements of both Mughal and Hindu cultures.  Her former dance studio was located a few blocks from the World Trade Center. She has been a featured performer at previous Battery Dance Festival India Day performances.

Naren Budhakar is an esteemed percussionist who has performed at the Metropolitan and Brooklyn Museums, Asia Society, and on international tours. He performed with Battery Dance in the Fall of 2001 at the inaugural “Wall Street Rising” event following 9/11.

Battery Dance gratefully acknowledges the support of Radhika and Kamal Bhatia.

EVENT:   9/11 Remembrance in Music and Dance

LOCATION:   Traffic Island next to the uptown #1 Subway Franklin Station stop in Tribeca

TIME/DATE:   8:46 a.m. – 9:16 a.m., Monday, September 11, 2023

PERFORMERS:   Rajnish & Ritesh Mishra, Parul Shah, Naren Budhakar

Views of India Lean Positive Across 23 Countries

Senate Bill 403 exposed a rift among members of the South Asian American community over the prevalence of caste-based discrimination in the United States.

(RNS) — A contentious bill that would declare caste as a protected category under California’s existing anti-discrimination law was passed by the state’s Assembly in a bipartisan 50-3 vote Monday evening (Aug. 28), with 27 members abstaining. The legislation, which had already passed the state Senate, is expected to become law with the governor’s signature.

Known as Senate Bill 403, or SB403, the bill was originally introduced by Sen. Aisha Wahab in February and will revise California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act, education and housing codes by adding caste as a protected category under “ancestry.” 

Senate Bill 403 became a national cause that exposed a rift among members of the South Asian American community over the prevalence of caste-based discrimination in the United States.

While many South Asians agree that caste has an impact on many lives across the diaspora in the United States, some feel that explicitly outlawing caste discrimination only serves to reaffirm caste differences among, and prejudice against, the U.S. Hindu community. A vocal group who opposed the bill argued that the caste system has been unfairly equated with the Hindu religion in the American imagination.

As a result of monthslong protests from Hindu advocacy organizations that followed the bill as it moved through the California Legislature, SB403 now contains no explicit mentions of South Asia or Hinduism.

On Monday, Equality Labs, a civil rights organization dedicated to Dalit advocacy and the bill’s co-sponsor, released a statement celebrating the effort to raise awareness of caste-based discrimination to the legislative stage.

“SB403, at its core, is an anti-discrimination bill and does not target any religious or cultural groups; that would directly go against the bill’s very nature,” the statement says. “There is no underlying agenda or controversy surrounding the legislation. People of all faiths, backgrounds, and nationalities have peacefully united to advocate for SB403 — creating a truly stunning response to the international call for caste equity.”

The lights of the state Capitol glow into the night in Sacramento, Calif., Aug. 31, 2022. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

The Ambedkar King Study Circle, named after the social reformer and drafter of the Indian Constitution, B.R. Ambedkar, posted a statement on X, formerly Twitter: “This monumental bill puts an end to caste discrimination, extending legal protection to all facing caste oppression. A huge step towards equality and justice”

The Ambedkar International Center called it “a defeat for the caste deniers.”

Hindus for Human Rights, a Hindu advocacy organization that is vocal about the issue of caste bias, said in a statement: “On the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington, Dr. King’s dream takes one more step into reality.”

But while many celebrated what they see as a win for marginalized South Asian communities, some opponents are still dissatisfied with the bill’s passage, especially in light of what they say is unsubstantiated evidence of caste discrimination in the U.S.

Suhag Shukla, executive director of the Hindu American Foundation, which led the charge against the bill, released a statement saying, “Fifty California legislators chose to side with anti-Hindu hate groups rather than showing moral courage and upholding the Constitution. When a state legislator pushes a law with the intent of targeting an ethnic community, it’s not only racist, it’s unconstitutional.”

The Coalition of Hindus of North America also bemoaned “the passing of a bill which is NOT facially neutral and written to specifically target Hindu Americans,” calling it “the latest in a long line of unjust bills, (such as the Asian Exclusion Act), which were popular at the time of their passing and were used to target minorities of color.”

In recent years, colleges and universities began adding caste to their list of differences, along with race and sexuality and gender identity, that were protected against bias. Brandeis University banned caste discrimination over complaints from some Hindus in 2019; the California State University system added caste to its nondiscrimination policy in early 2022.

In June 2020, an unnamed Indian-origin Cisco employee accused two of his managers of passing him over for a promotion. California’s Civil Rights Department sued the two defendants in a yearslong case that ended when it was dismissed due to lack of evidence.  

More recently, 12 of the complainants in a 2021 lawsuit that alleged forced labor among “lower-caste” artisans on the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple of Robbinsville, New Jersey, retracted their claims, saying they were coerced into making false allegations of caste discrimination. 

The amended California bill will now return to the Senate for a floor vote, then will be sent to Gov. Gavin Newsom. “We will explore every option to protect the rights of Hindu Californians,” said Shukla.

“Attended by a large number of community members and elected officials, the India Day celebration is a testament to the growing importance of the Indo-US relationship,” said Dr. Reddy, who was elected overwhelmingly as a Trustee of the Village in 2021.  “It was heartening to witness as the community members of Oak Brook enthusiastically joined in the celebrations, saluting the US and the Indian flags and singing their national anthems,” said Dr. Reddy.

Prominent among those who participated and greeted India on the occasion of her 77th Independence Day were: Oak Brook President Larry Herman, Consul General of India in Chicago, Somnath Ghosh, Illinois State Senator Suzie Glowiak Hilton, Illinois State Rep Jenn Ladisch Douglas, DuPage Board Members Sadia Gul Covert, Lucy Chang Evans, Kari Galassi, Trustee Yasmeen Bankole, and several other elected officials. Community leaders Sunil Shah, Vinita Gulabani, and many others graced the event as well. Dr. Anuj Gupta, a Cardiologist and President of the Indian American Caucus graced the vent as a Guest of Honor.

Dr. Reddy, expressed his gratitude to the Village Trustees Jim Nagle, Melissa Martin, and Naveen Jain, Village Clerk Scarpiniti, Past Trustee Moin Saiyed, and Village  Manager Greg Summers. Others who had attended the event included: Larry Herman, Sadia Gul Covert, Lucy Chang Evans, Kari Galassi, Yasmeen Bankole, Suzy Glowiak Hilton, Jenn Ladisch Douglass, Sunil Shah, Vinita Gulabani, and Michael A. Manzo.

Dr. Suresh Reddy won the election to be a Trustee of the Village of Oak Brook convincingly at the elections held on April 6th, 2021.  Having a population of nearly 10,000 people, Oak Brook is served by a network of major federal, state, and county roads including the Tri-State Tollway system, the East-West Tollway, and the Eisenhower Expressway. One of the most affluent communities in the nation, Oakbrook’s adjacent neighbors include the communities of Villa Park, Elmhurst, Lombard, Oakbrook Terrace, Westchester, Westmont, Clarendon Hills, Downers Grove, and Hinsdale.

Dr. Reddy comes with immense experience and proven leadership. He grew up in the suburbs of Hyderabad in Southern India. A financial conservator, Dr. Reddy, always had a passion for “uniting and bringing people together.” In his address, Dr. Reddy said, “I am grateful to the citizens of my hometown Oak Brook  and to the key leaders of Oak Brook, including several members of the governing body of Oak Brook for coming out to celebrate the freedom India achieved through nonviolence from the might British Empire.”

The Bud Billiken parade is the largest Afro-American parade and the second largest parade in America next to the Rose parade. It is celebrated to honor black history and also inspire the youth to begin the next school year. Billiken is a guardian angel, a patron saint of children in Chinese mythology. The parade was initiated by Robert S. Abbott who is known as the father of black journalism. This year marked the 94th celebration of this parade.

The Bud Billiken Parade is more than a procession of bands and floats marching down King Drive, it’s a commemoration of our past and a celebration of our future. Every summer since 1929, “The Bud” has united African-Americans throughout the city of Chicago in music, dance, food, and laughter. It’s one of the only spaces where we can openly and emphatically praise the historic roots that plant us into the South Side of Chicago. This year parade was on Saturday August 12, 2023 at   E 35th St & Martin Luther King Jr Drive, Chicago, IL 60653

Throngs of people flocked together as the floats paraded down Martin Luther King Jr. drive. The parade traditionally begins in Bronzeville, at Oakwood Boulevard and ends at Garfield boulevard, 55th. street. The air was filled with youthful joy and energy. Religion, music, and dance has always been a huge part of the black culture and it was beautifully showcased on every float.

Among all the floats was a representation of the Hare Krishnas. They have a center in the south suburbs of Chicago, “The Hare Krishna Temple of the Heart,” who have been participating in the Bud Billiken parade for the last 20 years. Gaura-mani Das said, “We are grateful to be part of the parade and bring the Holy Names of God to the community.  The name of God is held in high esteem in all religions. We are representing the vedic culture which is 5000 years old.”

Srila Prabhupada came to the west to bring this culture to America in 1969 and he translated about 80 volumes of the Sanskrit texts into English. Among his major contributions were his translation of Bhagavad Gita As It Is and Srimad Bhagavatam.

“We proudly marched the streets of Chicago at the 94th annual Bud Billiken parade. We were proud to be a part of this lively celebration of culture, history, and progress” said by Lila Manjari devi dasi. The devotees brought a beautiful form of Lord Jagannatha on the float and chanted the Hare Krishna maha mantra.

Syama Priya Devi Dasi said “God is one. We are all his children. Lord Jagannatha is on our float to spread love. He is Krishna with a dark blue hue. We sing and dance to praise the Lord.” The devotees handed out pamphlets about the significance of chanting the Holy names of the Lord and sang. The organizers thanked the Hare Krishna’s for spreading love and spirituality by their presence. The parade ended on 55th street and with the organizers recognizing and thanking each float at their reviewing stand at 52nd street.

The Federation of Indian Associations (FIA-Chicago), an esteemed organization with a rich heritage dating back to its establishment in 1980, proudly hosted an awe-inspiring India Independence Day parade on the vibrant streets of Devon Avenue on August 5th, 2023. This grand event marked the joyous commemoration of India’s 77th Independence Day anniversary, drawing a diverse multitude of thousands, each hailing from different corners of the Indian subcontinent, who converged along the parade route to bask in the resounding waves of patriotism.

 The event was graced by Kanishka Soni, an Indian actress and model from Mumbai. Joining in the celebrations was esteemed guests, including Consul General Mr. Somnath Ghose, Chicago Mayor Mr. Brandon Johnson, Mayor of Lincolnwood Mr. Jesal Patel, and Parade Chair Ms. Smita Shah. These illustrious figures joined their voices to wish one and all a jubilant Independence Day. President Dr. Rashmi Patel extended her warmest welcome and heartfelt gratitude to these distinguished individuals, underscoring the profound importance of their presence.

India is celebrating it’s 77th Independence day and among the other colorful floats with the colors of India flag – white, orange and green were the members of The International society for Krishna consciousness, popularly known as the Hare Krishnas. The society brings a 5000 year old tradition of worship. These followers of Lord Krishna were often seen chanting and dancing for their mantra – Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare/ Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare during the 70s and 80s. They are still around and their temple is located at 1716 W Lunt Avenue and has a representation of more than 40 nations. The temple also recently celebrated its 50th anniversary and prides itself on being the first Krishna temple in the Midwest.

The founder of the society, Srila Prabhupada believed in seeing everyone as the children of God and looking beyond the barriers of color, nationality and language. There were devotees from different nationalities like Venezuela, South Africa, America and India who all happily chanted the names of God and promoted universal peace and brotherhood.

As the parade moved on Devon street from Western to Washtenaw, many shoppers came and out of the stores to witness the beautiful floats. The temple council member, Subala das said, “We are honored to participate in this year’s Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) parade on Devon Avenue, celebrating the Indian Independence Day. We are spreading the Holy Names of Krishna to the thousands of Indian families and local Chicagoans present during the parade.” Many people responded with waving the Indian flag, waving their hands and with smiles.

The float also had a Deity of Lord Jagannatha. It’s customary in Indian temples to bring the Deity of Krishna on a cart or palanquine. Gajendra Moksa das said, “Jagannatha means the Lord of the Universe. Jagannatha is another name for Krishna. Lord Jagannatha is very kind. He comes for a tour on the street to meet His children who cannot come to see Him at the temple. The devotees perform Kirtan for the pleasure of Lord Jagannatha.”

The word Kirtan means to glorify the Lord and the Hare Krishnas believe that one becomes joyful and free from anxiety by performing Kirtan. The temple priest, Lila Manjari devi dasi said, “The experience of joy through Kirtan is practical. It’s not just a religious belief or sentiment. Whoever participates in the Kirtan irrespective of their background experiences a sense of healing and calmness.” The temple also holds a free dinner with kirtan every Sunday from 5-8 pm and welcomes everyone to participate. The parade ended on Washtenaw with a big round of applause by the FIA for all the floats. (Photographs by: Asian Media USA)

The Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) paid homage to India on its 77th Independence Day by hoisting the tricolor at the iconic Times Square. The event was made more special by the unveiling of a striking 1,800 kg ‘Chakra’ sculpture, a remarkable replica of Odisha’s Konark wheel. The artefact, weighing approximately 4000 pounds, is a replica of the wheel that adorns the famous Konark Temple in Odisha that is dedicated to Surya or the Sun God.

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna unveiled the famous Konark Sun Temple wheel. He was joined by Randhir Jaiswal, the Consulate General of India in New York, Indo-American Arts Council and Indian-Americans who turned up in huge numbers to witness the flag hoisting ceremony on Tuesday, August 15th. Several artists from Odisha’s Lalitagitri village have worked for months on the handcrafted replication, which is made of sandstone and weighs approximately 4,000 pounds.

The ceremony was led by the Consul General of India in New York, Randhir Jaiswal, and was accompanied by resounding chants of ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai,’ ‘Vande Matram,’ and ‘Jai Hind,’ as participants proudly waved both Indian and American flags. Ustad Maestro Ahmad Ali Khan was the guest of honor at the event and celebrity chef Vikas Khanna was also present.

FIA chairman, Ankur Vaidya, and FIA president, Kenny Desai, along with the Board of Trustees, Srujal Parekh and Alok Kumar, and the FIA team as a whole, played crucial roles in organizing the celebration. The entire team of FIA, led by its legendary member Padma Shri Dr. HR Shah, Chairman of TV Asia, and other Community leaders came together to extend heartfelt wishes to the vibrant community on the occasion of India’s 77th Independence Day.

“This commemoration is not merely an observance of history; it is a celebration of our shared future,” remarked President Desai. “The unveiling of the ‘Chakra’ sculpture serves as a reminder that just as the Konark wheel has endured the test of time, so too shall the enduring friendship between India and the United States.” FIA also commemorated occassion by lighting up the Empire State Building in the Indian Tricolor.

“While I have been dreaming and conceptualising about this moment for almost five years, the brilliant artists at work in India have toiled day and night for many, many months to make this come alive! This will be a magical moment!,” Khanna had tweeted earlier.

The art replica will also be displayed as a symbol of unity between the Indian diaspora and America in Khanna’s upcoming New York City restaurant in 2024. Khanna had said that he was inspired by the sand Konark wheel sculpted by Odisha’s renowned sand artist Sudarshan Pattnaik.

Responding to a video of the unveiling, Pattnaik wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “You have created history by unveiling the replica of world heritage monument Konark wheel in Timee Square on the occasion of Indian Independence Day. This is a proud moment for all of us. Thank you again for contributions in promoting Indian art and culture.”

It took 12 years and 12,000 artisans to build the 13th century Konark Sun Temple, a monumental representation of the chariot of the sun god, which is a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site. The 24 wheels of the chariot are decorated with symbolic designs and led by seven horses symbolising time.

Speaking on the occasion, Randhir Jaiswal said, “The Chakra or wheel stands as a shining symbol of India’s heritage, thought and timeless wisdom. Through the display of Chakra at Times Square, we not only celebrate the rich culture of India but also the enduring friendship that binds our two nations – United States and India. This sculpture, a faithful replica of one of the twenty fours Chakras that adorn the Konark Temple dedicated to Surya or the Sun God, carries with it the essence of India’s history, resilience, and unity.”

The Indo-American Arts Council (IAAC), in collaboration with The Consulate General of India in New York and The City of New York, held the Inauguration Ceremony of The Indian Independence Exhibition, featuring the Chakra Sculpture.

Menwhile at Bowling Green Arena NYC Mayor Eric Adams, Indian American Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar, NYC Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi, Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan and the Consulate General of India in New York Randhir Jaiswal participated in the Indian flag hoisting ceremony.

Describing NYC as the New Delhi of America, the Mayor praised the Indian American community, stating, “I am so proud to have so many representatives of our Indian community serving in my administration.”

New York State Governor Kathleen Hochul also extended her wishes to India and the Indian community in the state on Indian Independence Day. She acknowledged the Indian community’s contribution in diverse roles from educationist to entrepreneur.

She said, “From Buffalo to Queens, nearly 400,000 Indian Americans call New York home and their countless contributions are woven into the fabric of our state!”  In a video message, she praised Indian American contribution “We are so better off because of Indian immigrants, who chose to come here in search of the opportunities.”

The Connecticut Chapter of the Global Organization (GOPIO-CT) celebrated India’s upcoming 76th Independence Day with a flag hoisting at the Stamford Govt Center on August 6, a ceremony with elected Connecticut officials and dignitaries and a festival with dances and music of India at the Mill River Park in Stamford.

According to GOPIO-CT, a floating crowd of over 3,000 people attended flag hoisting followed by the India Festival and kite flying at the Mill River Park.

A press release said, “Dressed in colorful traditional Indian attire, with melodious music from the popular Bollywood world, dances depicting the wide variety of Indian culture, kite flying, spicy Indian cuisine, and booths decorated with Indian symbols and face art, the festivities were a treat to the fast-growing Indian American community in the state of Connecticut and New York’s Westchester County.”

The day-long celebrations began with the hoisting of the American and Indian flags at the Stamford Government Center by Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons and Chief Guest India’s Deputy Consul General Dr. Varun Jeph. GOPIO-CT President Dr. Jaya Daptardar hoisted the Connecticut State flag. American and Indian national anthems were sung students of Stamford’s Hindi School.

Mill River Park Collaborative Board Chair Arnold Karp extended a warm welcome and said the park has become focal point for the community to come together and celebrate.

“The India Festival in Stamford, CT is a tribute to a strong and vibrant Indian-American community that has excelled in almost all areas of life in this adopted nation of ours,” said GOPIO-CT Trustee/Advisor and Chairman of GOPIO International Dr. Thomas Abraham.

“Through events like the India Festival, we are cultivating and developing community networking with all the younger elected officials,” Dr. Abraham added.

Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons proclaimed August 6 as India Independence Day in Stamford to commemorate Indian Independence and thanking the dedication of the Indian American community.

Prominent among those who addressed and greeted the Indian American community included State Senator Ryan Fazio, State Assembly Representatives Domique Johnson and Rep. Anabel Figueroa. New Haven Mayoral candidate Tom Goldenburg spoke of his connection with India where he stayed over a decade in Kerala.

Two other non-profit community organization representatives, Norwalk International Cultural Exchange Founder Janet Evelyn and Stamford’s Building One Community Program Director Fanny Ferreira also greeted the audience.

High School graduates for area schools were honored with certificates and gift cards and was coordinated by GOPIO-CT Executive Vice President Mahesh Jhangiani.

Many other nonprofit organizations like NAMI, EKAL Foundation, and Hindi Pathshala also joined. The program ended with the grand fashion show with Kashi Collection presented by Prachi Narayan.

Connecticut General Assembly has issued a citation honoring the India Day Celebration to mark the 76th Anniversary of Indian Independence from British colonial rule on August 15 1947.

Signed by state assembly’s Pro Tempore Marten M. Looney, House Speaker Matt Ritter and Secretary of State Stephanie Thomas, the citation was presented to the Connecticut Chapter of the Global Organization (GOPIO-CT) which organized the celebration on Aug 6.

The citation read, “In recognition of the 76th Anniversary India’s Independence from British Colonial Rule on August 15th, 1947, today we come together to celebrate the occasion with GOPIO-CT and other community organizations to help promote awareness of Indian culture, customs and contributions of people of Indian origin. The entire membership extends its very best wishes on this memorable occasion and expresses the hope for continued success,” it added.

The Consulate General of India, New York hosted the DHUN Musical Group for an India Independence Day special musical concert on Saturday, August 12, 2023.

The DHUN Musical Group, founded by Rajeev Singh, focuses on identifying and encouraging local tri-state talent and giving it a platform. It has been performing at various events and for numerous organizations, fundraising events as well as hosting musical events of its own.

India’s Vice Consul Pragya Singh spoke at the event, thanking  DHUN for presenting this special concert and recalling its August 13, 2021 performance for India 75th Independence Day.

In his message Dr Gupta appreciated and thanked India’s Consul General Randhir Jaiswal, diplomats and staff of the consulate for their exceptional work in bringing the Indian American community closer to the Indian government. He also appreciated and thanked Rajeev Singh for promoting Indian musical arts in America and providing a platform to new talent.

Several other community leaders and dignitaries attended, including chief trustee of the Shree Siddhivinayak temple Dr. Geeta Gupta who is also a physician and social worker, and  Bihar Foundation’s vice chairman Ranjeet Kumar.

The talented singers of the team DHUN included Sandeep Singh, Amrisha Singh who was also the host of the event, Rajib Sarkar, Bhavisha Patel, Vasanti Anand and Rajeev Singh.

Several community organizations helped to make the event a success, including FIA -NY/NJ/CT; Shree Siddhivinayak Temple USA, BJANA (Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America), BITSAANA (BIT Sindri Alumni Association of North America), IFM (India-US Forum of Monroe Township NJ) , Bihar Foundation, and Lions International Club.

Media covering the event included ITV Gold, Parikh Worldwide Media, TV Asia and Mana TV. (Desi Talk)

The Akshaya Patra Foundation, a renowned non-profit organization, is all set to hold its annual gala on September 9th in Austin, TX. This grand event will feature two distinguished keynote speakers, Dr. Deepak Chopra, and Chef Sanjeev Kapoor. The gala aims to raise awareness and funds to support Akshaya Patra’s noble mission of transforming the lives of children in India through education and nutritious meals.

Dr. Deepak Chopra is a globally recognized pioneer in integrative medicine and personal transformation. With a profound understanding of the mind-body connection, he has authored numerous best-selling books and is a sought-after speaker on holistic health, spirituality, and consciousness. Dr. Chopra’s wisdom and insights have empowered millions to embrace wellness and lead fulfilling lives.

Dr. Chopra will captivate the audience with his profound knowledge and spiritual wisdom at the Akshaya Patra Gala. We expect his talk to inspire attendees to embrace positive change in their lives and make a difference.

With his unique ability to bridge science and spirituality, Dr. Chopra will shed light on the interconnectedness of our actions and the impact they have on the lives of others.

Chef Sanjeev Kapoor is a Culinary Maestro with a Heart.

Chef Sanjeev Kapoor is an iconic culinary figure known for his passion for food and innovation. With over three decades of experience, he has revolutionized Indian cuisine and made it accessible to people across the globe. Beyond his culinary achievements, Chef Kapoor is also actively involved in philanthropy, using his influence to bring about positive social change.

As an advocate for nutrition and food security, Chef Kapoor will emphasize the importance of providing wholesome meals to underprivileged children, enabling them to thrive physically and mentally. He will inspire attendees to contribute to Akshaya Patra’s mission through engaging storytelling.

Akshaya Patra- Nurturing Children, Empowering Communities The Akshaya Patra Foundation is one of the largest non-profit organizations in India, committed to eliminating classroom hunger and promoting education. With its unique model of providing nutritious meals to school children, Akshaya Patra has positively impacted the lives of millions of children.

Participants will contribute to this transformative cause by attending the Akshaya Patra Gala. The funds raised will enable the organization to expand its reach, ensuring that more children receive nourishing meals and are inspired to attend school regularly.

The ripple effect of this initiative is far-reaching, as education becomes a catalyst for breaking the cycle of poverty and creating a brighter future for the children of India.

We would love to see you for this enlightening and exciting event featuring two striking keynote speakers, Dr. Deepak Chopra and Chef Sanjeev Kapoor. Their presence signifies the intersection of personal growth, nourishment, and social responsibility.

Call up your friends and grab a table together or be a sponsor; You can choose whatever works best for you. By supporting Akshaya Patra’s mission, you will play an integral role in transforming the lives of children in India, empowering them to thrive academically and break free from the cycle of poverty.

Together, we can make a significant difference and positively impact future generations. See you on Sat, September 9th at 530PM at Sheraton Capitol.

For Tickets and sponsorship info, please reach out to  Seema  Govil -512 762 738

Indian and South Asian families in several towns of the US state of Massachusetts are being increasingly targeted by thieves for their expensive jewelleries, a media report said.

According to CBS News, the robbery cases are now being investigated by the law enforcement, including the FBI, who are looking into incidents in Billerica, Natick, Weston, Wellesley, Easton and North Attleboro towns of Massachusetts.

Calling these “opportunity crimes”, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan said the “sophisticated” thieves target homes whose owners have gone for a period of time.

Ryan said that the homeowners are watched, or their whereabouts noted on social media.

No artwork or electronics are taken and there are few traces of the crime, he said.

While the law enforcement is still trying to identify those behind the robberies, thieves targeted Indian-American Samir Desai’s home in Lincoln earlier this month.

They entered through a second floor window that had no alarms while the family travelled for ten days in early July, the report said.

“They left the upstairs completely trashed, and stole jewelry, many purses, watches, and other items,” Desai had said in a Facebook post.

“We are very visible with jewellery. That’s how we celebrate our heritage, how we live, that is not a material thing for us, it’s something that is passed from generation to generation,” Desai told CBS News.

According to Desai and other community members, the gang members seem to know when home owners are away, when to enter their homes, what to take and disappear.

“When a community whether it is Indian or otherwise gets targeted by a gang or anything else, the state has a responsibility and I believe they should step up,” Desai.

Last June, the FBI warned the Asian American community in New Jersey saying that they are at an increased risk of being burglarised.

In October 2022, police in Nassau County, New York, arrested four members of an alleged Colombian burglary ring accused of targeting Indian-Americans for their jewellery and valuables.

In the same month, Lathan Johnson from California, was charged for targeting, attacking and robbing 14 Indian-American women. He ripped necklaces from the necks of the victims and sped away in a car

The estimated worth of all the stolen necklaces was found to be around $35,000, according to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office.

In May 2021, five New Jersey men and three from Pennsylvania were arrested and charged with “a massive burglary ring that targeted families of Asian descent. (IANS)

Samantha Ruth Prabhu, a well-known Tollywood actress, has received a prestigious invitation, demonstrating her international acclaim. She has been given the rare opportunity to take part in the India Parade, which is organized by the Federation of India Association in New York as part of the 41st World Largest India Day Parade. The upcoming celebration of India’s Independence Day on August 20 in New York City will be historic.

The Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) of New York, New Jersey, and New England recently announced that Samantha Ruth Prabhu, a popular Indian actor, will be the chief guest for their 41st Annual India Day Parade, which will be held on August 20, 2023, at Madison Avenue in New York City. The 41st Indian Parade is anticipated to witness the highest number of floats and marching groups ever.

“Fedederation of Indian Associations NY-NJ- CT is pleased to announce your beloved celebrity for the 41st Annual NYC India Day Parade, Chief Guest,Indian Super Star Actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu. @Samanthaprabhu2 #indiadayparade #nycparade #76thindependenceday #samantha #MissionLiFE,” she tweeted.

The parade, which has gained recognition as one of the largest celebrations of India’s independence outside India, has been lead by popular celebrities from India annually. Most recently, the 2022 parade was lead by Grand Marshall Allu Arjun of Pushpa fame. In preparation for the parade, FIA has been regularly holding parade council meetings to discuss significant aspects of the parade.

Speaking on the occasion, FIA president Kenny Desai, outlined the planned events for the forthcoming Independence Day, which includes the parade, the flag hoisting at Times Square and lighting of the Empire State Building.

Saurin Parikh, vice president of FIA said the upcoming parade would feature the highest number of floats and marching groups ever, showcasing the culture and heritage of India in the United States. Chairman, Ankur Vaidya, also revealed that the finale of the parade has been planned on the biggest private yacht on the East Coast and will feature a host of celebrities performing as well as entertaining performances including Garba and Bhangra by prominent celebrities.

To commemorate the 9th International Yoga Day, the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO), Manhattan, the Indian Consulate General in New York, and Emmy-nominated filmmaker and Happy Life yoga speaker Tirlok Malik hosted a highly engaging and educational yoga Zoom event. The Yoga Zoom event on featured experts and speakers from various walks of life.

Consul Vipul Dev, who oversees press, information, and culture at the Indian Consulate in New York (USA), was the chief guest of the event, which was co-sponsored by The Indian Panorama and Indian American Forum. In his remarks, he said, “Yoga has become very popular in our life and I feel great that something like Yoga from my country has been adopted and owned by the rest of the world.”

GOPIO International chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham in his welcome remarks said, “Yoga has now become an international brand after the UN declaration in 2014 and Yoga Day is now celebrated all over the world.” While complimenting the Indian Consulate for continuing to support Yoga celebrations by the community groups in the Northeast of U.S. he thanked Consul General Randhir Jaiswal for hoisting the largest number of programs at the New York Consulate every month compared to other MEA missions around the world.

Dev shared that the Indian Consulate in New York had been celebrating Yoga Day with community groups starting from the first week of June, including an event at the Niagara Falls.

According to a release, Malik led an energetic and engaging yoga session during which he shared his vision behind Happy Life Yoga and its underlying philosophy. “A way of living inspired by the wisdom of Ayurveda, Yoga and Indian Philosophy, Happy Life Yoga is beneficial for one and all. The pandemic has made the world realize that it is of paramount importance to have good health, physically and emotionally, and the Happy Life Yoga platform can show how to achieve it,” Malik said in his brief remarks.

Experts and speakers from a variety of fields, who participated in the event included professor Indrajit Saluja (chief editor/publisher, The Indian Panorama), Indu Jaiswal (chairperson, Indian American Forum), Anil Narang (vegan ambassador), Lal Motwani (GOPIO International president), Neeta Bhasin (president, ASB Communications), Dr Renee Mehra (Reenbow Media), Deborah Fishman (founder of FED Talk), Neha Lohia (filmmaker), Radhika Bhagat (CEO, Sacred Earth Trust), Dr Tara Shajan (president, Indian Nurses Association), and Victoria Moran (Founder, Main Street Vegan Academy).

The annual celebration of the triumph of light over darkness is observed by hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers, and the announcement came after state lawmakers recently passed legislation to make it a holiday in the nation’s largest school system. This year, Diwali falls on Sunday, Nov. 12, so it is scheduled to be a day off school for the first time in 2024.

The mayor said he was “confident” that the governor, Kathy Hochul, would sign the bill. A spokeswoman for her office said that the governor is still reviewing it, while adding that she has supported other efforts to recognize Diwali. Mr. Adams said that the moment represented a symbolic declaration to those who feel unwelcome “that you are part of this city”

“We’re now saying New York is made for everyone,” Mr. Adams said. “No matter where you came from.”

Why it Matters: Families lobbied for years for recognition.

In New York, families have lobbied for the city’s public schools to close in observance of several major religious or cultural celebrations, joining existing holidays like Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur and Christmas. In 2015, the city announced it would close schools in honor of two major Muslim holidays, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.

Many South Asian and Indo-Caribbean parents and advocates had been frustrated that Diwali had never been added to the list. The holiday is one of the most significant Hindu religious observances and is also celebrated by many Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists.

Dr. Thomas Abraham, Chairman of GIOIO International said, “GOPIO International and its chapters GOPIO-New York and GOPIO-Manhattan were involved and worked with New York City Mayor Eric Adams from the first meeting held at the City Hall. We then supported the legislation introduced by NY Assembly Woman Jenifer Rajkumar. This is a great recognition of the Indian American Diaspora community.”

On the day after his election, Mayor Adams promised Diwali would become a school holiday. But upon taking office, he declined to add the holiday himself.

Instead, he looked to state lawmakers, who had introduced a bill to recognize Diwali for the past two years. On Monday,Jenifer Rajkumar, the bill’s sponsor in the Assembly, said the announcement was decades in the making and showed that Diwali “is not just a holiday.”

Rather, “it is an American holiday, and the South Asian community is part of the American story,” said Ms. Rajkumar, the first Hindu American and first South Asian woman to be elected to state office in New York.

Background: The 180-day school calendar was an obstacle.

The push to add Diwali to the school calendar had faced a major obstacle: All school districts must offer at least 180 days a year of instruction under state law.

So, to add a holiday to the calendar, officials must replace another observance, or eliminate one of the extra days that offer latitude in case of snow or other emergencies.

After Mayor Bill de Blasio recognized Lunar New Year and the two Muslim holy days in the mid-2010s as school holidays, he said that the 180-day rule would prevent his administration from adding any other dates — including Diwali — to the system’s calendar.

Lawmakers began to consider removing “Anniversary Day,” which recognizes the city’s earliest Protestant Sunday schools. It falls in early June and dates back to the early 1800s. But the bill they passed left it up to the city to decide.

What’s Next? A push to make Diwali a federal holiday.

The efforts in New York City reflect the broader ways that schools across the country have grappled with when to close for religious or cultural celebrations. Some leaders argue that not all holidays can warrant a closure, but families often point out that a number of students might otherwise miss class time.

In San Francisco, the school board this fall reversed a decision to recognize Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as holidays, angering many parents. The board said that “further analysis” was first needed to determine what dates should be added.

Those national debates are unlikely to end as the push to recognize major religious holidays continues.

Representative Grace Meng, a Queens Democrat, introduced legislation last month, for example, that would make Diwali a federal holiday. Doing so, Ms. Meng said, would “demonstrate that the government values the diverse cultural makeup of the nation.” (NYT)

California: The Global Organization of Indian Christians (GOIC) announced its new leadership panel for 2023. The GOIC is an organization that brings together Christians who emigrated from India to other countries, regardless of denomination, and was founded in 2017 with the idea of upholding unity based on Christian values.

The Global Organization of Indian Christians is led by President Ginsmon P. Zacharia (USA). He is supported by Shajan Alexander (USA), who serves as General Secretary; Tomichen Puthenpurackal (USA), who serves as Treasurer; and Anil Augustine (USA), Tony Mathew (Australia), and Rosen Phillip (USA), who serve as Vice Presidents. The GOIC also has three Joint Secretaries: Shan Justus (USA), Georgekutty Meppurath (Canada), and Molly Thomas (USA), and one Joint Treasurer: Biji Jose (England).

Ginsmon is a familiar face among the American Malayali diasporas. He has a long history of leadership in community organizations and is a senior journalist and media entrepreneur with 19 years of experience. He is also the past trustee board chairman and president of the India Catholic Association of America (ICAA), an umbrella organization for the Syro-Malabar Church, Syro-Malankara, Knanaya, and Latin Catholic communities in the United States. The ICAA has around 2,000 members and played a significant role in providing spiritual guidance to early Christian immigrants from India who made America their home.

A well-respected journalist and media entrepreneur with a long and distinguished career, Ginsmon is also the founder of the Indo-American Press Club (IAPC), the largest organization of Indian journalists in North America, and served as its chairman from 2014 to 2016. He is also the Managing Director of Global Reporter TV, the Chief Editor of JaiHind Vartha, America’s most popular Malayalam newspaper, the publisher of Aksharam, a leading magazine in Malayalam, and the publisher of Asian Era, an English language newspaper catering to the Indian diaspora.

In addition to his work as a journalist, Ginsmon has held leadership positions in several organizations. He was the director of Jai Hind TV’s American division and worked for the European division of Deepika, one of the oldest Malayalam newspapers. He was also the first general secretary of the Liverpool Malayali Association and the secretary of the Indo-American Lawyers Forum, the Indo-American Malayali Chamber of Commerce, and joint secretary for the Kerala Samajam of Greater New York.

Ginsmon, a native of Thodupuzha Vazhiththala, graduated with a law degree from Bangalore University. He also has a postgraduate degree in business management. He is married to Siji Augustine, and they have three children: Andrew, Brionna, and Ethan.

Shajan Alexander, elected GOIC general secretary, is an MBA graduate and an entrepreneur here in the USA and in India. He is also an activist with the Frederick Douglass Foundation, Faith, and Freedom Coalition. He also held the Asian Faith Alliance Executive Director position and is a political consultant and analyst. He started his career at Walmart as a sales associate when he immigrated to the US in 2003. His parents, TC Alexander and his mother, Mariamma Alexander, are from Chengannur Pandanad in Kerala. He lives with his wife, Nissy Alexander, a psychotherapist and clinician, and two boys, Nathan and Nicholas.

Tomichen Puthenpurackal, GOIC’s elected treasurer, is an engineer by profession. He has a degree in mechanical and production engineering and has served with the military as an engineer and worked in various reputed firms in India and abroad. He has been an active participant and carried various roles in many organizations. His responsibilities included several leadership positions in social & religious organizations in India, UAE, Ireland, and in the USA. A philanthropist, team leader, and organizer, Tomichen is also enthusiastic about sports and games.

The GOIC is a non-profit organization that was founded in 2017. The GOIC is led by a 21-member board of directors, who formulates their ideologies and decisions and consists of representatives from 22 countries across the world, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. The GOIC’s motto is “United in Christ.” One of the GOIC’s main objectives is to lead activities that are beneficial to the community and to help the younger generation, who go for education in foreign countries, to maintain their faith and unity.

The organization will also lead efforts to unify the leaders of various Christian organizations under one roof to address the challenges faced by Christians in India, especially in Kerala. This organization is a community of Christian believers who are united by their faith in Christ. The organization’s goal is to help needy brothers and sisters in their time of need and to support their growth and survival at the material level.

The organization was founded on the message of Jesus Christ to be a good neighbor and to help those in need. The founders’ belief that growing together, rather than growing alone, is essential for the survival of our society and that we have a responsibility to help those who are less fortunate was the motivation for the start of the organization.

The members of this organization come from different Christian denominations, and as such, there will be some differences in their religious beliefs and spiritual views. This organization is committed to creating a community that respects everyone’s faith and, therefore, does not promote any discussion on religious matters, attempts to impose one’s faith on others, or the attitude that only one’s faith is correct. This organization believes that doing so could disrupt the community. Instead, this organization believes that spiritual life and growth in relationship with God should be shaped by each individual’s faith in relation to their faith, community, or church.

Each member of this organization will continue to be a member of their respective churches or associations and promote the good works that they are doing. The official interest of this organization is to help in the spiritual growth of all its members. This organization is not a platform for criticizing the activities of the churches or associations that its members are currently a part of. It has been decided that nothing that happens in these other organizations should affect the operations of this organization. This community is designed to achieve together what its members and their organizations cannot achieve on their own.

GOIC has no intention of becoming a church or similar organization. Its purpose is to help Christians grow and thrive, both physically and spiritually. This includes providing material support, spiritual guidance, and a sense of community. The organization would strive to create a safe and supportive environment where Christians can grow in their faith and live happy and peaceful lives.

Simply put, the Global Organization of Indian Christians is an organization that would help Christians achieve material growth while maintaining their Christian values. This group would be a place for discussions, decision-making, and taking action with the sole objective of ensuring the material growth and safety of Indian Christians around the world.

More than 1,500 doctors gathered in Atlantic City for the five-day Gujarati Physicians Convention June 7-11, 2023. Organizers described it as very successful, and probably the most value-added, low-cost event for attendees, of any convention held before.

“Hundred and fifty percent of the opinion we got was that everybody was excited and had a great time,” Convention Chair Dr. Ajeet Kothari told Desi Talk.

The event was held at Harrah’s Resort & Convention Center. It included several days of Continuing Medical Education forums, a trade exhibition where 60 exhibitors participated; entertainment programs from Karaoke Mehfil to “Surmayee Shaam” singing program, a visit to Akshardham temple in Robbinsville, NJ, live Bollywood music with Jalpa and Dhiren Buch, Ras/Garba, Yoga and meditation- there was something for everyone.

The cuisine ranged from Indian, to Mexican and Chinese to Continental; a fabulous fashion show took place, another Bollywood night with singer Kanika Kapoor and Abhijeet Pichgaokar, and by other artists on following days, alumni meetings of various medical institutions of India on the last day, were part of the full and vibrant program.

One major highlight was the three-day Scientific Program with the theme of ‘Futuristic Medicine’ chaired by Dr. Gunjan Shukla and Dr. Mohan Durve. Subjects covered ranged from hair growth technology to wheat-related medical problems, advances in neuro-oncology, heart valves, rising cancer numbers in US, and plant-based diet for metabolic syndrome reversal in South Asian populations.

“We had a reasonable price, value-oriented approach to the Convention,” Dr. Kothari said. “While it was meant to give Gujarati doctors an opportunity to meet and network, it was open to all. Many AAPI doctors came as well. It was ‘an all-star convention at zero-star price.”

Along with Drs. Kothari, Dr. Shukla, and Dr. Durve, other main organizers were Dr. Shirish Patel, Dr. Dalsukh Madia, Dr. Madhu Parikh, Dr. Mukesh Pate, Dr. Sumul Rawal, and Dr. Raj Bhayani, organizers told Desi Talk.

They expressed the hope that the Gujarati Physicians Convention would stand as an example for other conventions – with low overhead costs, a collective approach, not many frills, but offering high quality entertainment, and unity.

“We plan to hold a convention in 2024 as well,” Dr. Kothari said. “This year we approached it less formally because we were very cost-conscious. Our balanced budget is our formula, and we save money for the poor in India and for Indian education system, health care reform, stopping health care wastage. No fundraising is allowed in our conventions,” Dr. Kothari told Desi Talk.

Among the high-profile attendees was Padma Shri recipient Dr. Sudhir Parikh, chairman of Parikh Worldwide Media/ITV Gold, which covered the convention.

“I feel we Gujaratis are always the number one community in the world. Gujaratis were the first to venture out of India, all over the world,” Dr. Parikh noted, from Fiji and Mauritius to South America, and Southeast Asia. “Our community is not only (traders) but spiritual, philanthropic, and humble,” he added.

Speaking to ITV Gold, Dr. Gunjan Shukla said it had been a “great joy” to help bring the Convention to reality. “Some 25 to 30 percent of the 100,000 physicians in the US are of Gujarati origin. And we have so many alumni associations. That’s how the idea (for the convention) started,” Dr. Shukla said, adding, “We almost doubled the number from the 2019 convention in Florida. It has been a great joy to organize the conventions. We did not expect it to be so big. But the interest gave us more energy. We had to shut down registration,” early because so many people wanted to come, he indicated. (Courtesy: News India Times)

The 10th Telangana Formation Day was celebrated on June 2 in Long Island, New York under the auspices of the New York Telangana Telugu Association (NYTTA) and the Telangana American Telugu Association (TTA) in the heart of New York.

Telugu members from New York and leaders of other organizations attended this festival and expressed their happiness with Telangana songs and words. The special guest Sri Narayanaswamy’s wife Smt. Vidya garu “Jaya Jayahe” sang the Telangana Geetam melodiously and ushered in the auspicious beginning.

MC’s Padma Taduri and Prasanna Madira  explained the purpose of the meeting and the significance of the Telangana Formation Day and invited the special guest famous Telangana writer Mr. Narayanaswamy Venkatayogi, NYTTA President Sunil Reddy Gaddam, TTA Regional Vice President Satyanarayana Reddy Gaggenapally and Founding President Srinivas Guduru  on the stage.

Sunil Reddy Gaddam invited the gathering and explained the social service activities being done by these two associations. The special guest Mr. Narayanaswamy was thanked for coming to the meeting even though they were far away. Mr. Satyanarayana Reddy Gaggenapally invited the guests and explained his college experiences during the Telangana struggle. He also said that we are working together with other associations in New York.

Founding president Mr Srinivas Guduru said that the emergence of Telangana is decades-long aspiration of the people of Telangana. Social, linguistic and economic differences have been added to that aspiration. Many states in the country have also split like this, he said, which is a natural evolution over time.

In his speech, Mr. Venkatayogi explained the struggle of the people of Telangana for existence, and explained all their experiences, the uniqueness and simplicity of the Telangana language, the hardships faced by the people of Telangana, and said that the state has developed a lot after Telangana State formed.

The way he talked about the increasing importance of Telangana language in Telugu cinema amused the audience. In the same way, the role of NRI Telangana people during the Telangana struggle and the various protest activities undertaken by them, first of all Bathukamma Shakatam’s experience in New York City’s India Day Parade was explained. The questions of those who attended the program were answered.

The leaders of other local organizations were participated. Vice President Kiran Parvatala on behalf of TLCA, Sumanth Ramisetti on behalf of TANA and RVP Dilip Musunuru of TANA addressed the gathering. While appreciating the celebration of 10th Telangana State formation day, he asked all the Telugu people to work together for progress.

Telangana activists Ravinder Kodela, TTA BOD Sahodar Peddireddy, Past-BOD Sarath Vemuganti, NYTTA Vice President Vani Singirikonda, Secretary Geeta Kankanala, EC members Padma Taduri, Prasanna Madhira, Alekya Vinjamuri and others narrated their experiences in the program. Shri Subbu Garikapati explained his personal experiences with Mulki rules.

Later Shri Narayanaswamy and his wife Vidya were felicitated. Invitees thanked the organizers of the program and Shri Narayanaswamy for sharing his experiences on many unknown things.

For this purpose, NYTTA / TTA Board of Directors, Advisory Committee and EC members along with children and adults participated and made the program a success. Finally the program ended with a delicious dinner.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of Kerala and his deputies are on their way to the United States to inaugurate the American Regional Conference of the Loka Kerala Sabha on June 10 at the iconic Time Square and the prestigious Marriott Marquis in New York City.

Vijayan, who left Kerala on June 8th will kick-start his U.S. trip by paying a visit to the 9/11 Memorial in New York, which will be followed by a visit to the United Nations headquarters on the same day.

The organizers of the event expressed optimism for the success of this global event, especially in the context of controversies, accusations, and expectations regarding the American Regional Conference.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the Regional Conference of the Lok Kerala Sabha on Saturday, June 10th at the Marriott Marquis near Time Square. Speaker of the Kerala Assembly, AN Shamseer will preside over the event.

The Kerala Chief Minister will inaugurate the Business Investment Meet on the 11th at Marriott Marquis, where he will interact with the investors in the US, including prominent American Malayali leaders, IT experts, students, women entrepreneurs, and other people from various fields. The Chief Minister will address the American community at a public meeting that evening.

On June 12th, the Chief Minister will meet Martin Reiser, Vice President of the World Bank South Asia Region in Washington DC. On the 13th, the Chief Minister will personally visit the Maryland Waste Management Systems. On the 14th, he will leave New York for Cuba. The Chief Minister will participate in various programs in Havana on the 15th and 16th and will meet with various dignitaries. The Chief Minister is also visiting important historical places including the Jose Marti National Monument.

New York State Senator Kevin Thomas, Illinois State Representative Kevin Olical, Texas Missouri City Mayor Robin Ilakatt, Texas Fort Bund County Judges Julie Mathew, Surendran Patel, KP George and others are participating as special guests at the Lok Kerala Sabha. They will hold discussions with the Chief Minister and the Lok Kerala Sabha representatives.

The officials of the organizing committee said that such discussions will help promote the vision in creating a New Kerala. Positive and negative responses to this conference are being received from individuals, organizations, and movements. But before leaving for New York, NORCANA Vice Chairman told the media that all these controversies are irrelevant and unnecessary.

Along with the Chief Minister, Finance Minister K.M. Balagopal, Chief Secretary Dr. VP Joy, various departmental secretaries to Chief Minister, and VM Suneesh will also arrive in New York. Chief Minister’s wife Kamala Vijayan, Speaker’s wife, and son are also in the group.

The American Regional Conference will be held on June 9, 10 and 11. Organizing committee president KG Manmathan Nair had already stated that not even a penny is taken from the government treasury for the conference and the expenses are borne by the sponsors and the American Malayali community. At a public event in New York’s famous Times Square, Vijayan will also speak to the international audience, organizers of the event said.

Apart from the members and invitees from the countries of the American region of the Loka Kerala Sabha, special invitees from the Malayali community will also come to New York. NORCANA Director Dr. M Anirudhan is leading the organizing committee.

Describing the objectives of the event, the organizers say, “Kerala’s people and its culture have traveled beyond borders, and to every corner of the world, fostering their assimilation and integration with the rest of the world. This movement of people and with them, our culture has created myriad Keralas of vibrant and distinct characters outside the geographical boundaries of the state. It is imperative to constitute a democratic space in order that cultural, socio-political and economic co-operation between home and outer Keralas are facilitated.

“The Government of Kerala has always been keen on sustaining close ties with its vast population residing abroad and within other Indian states and has formed the Loka Kerala Sabha Secretariat in the year 2018 along with its flagship program, the Loka Kerala Sabha. Previous Loka Kerala Sabha meetings in 2018 and 2020 has been successful with Malayali diaspora participation.”

The state of Kerala hosts the Loka Kerala Sabha (World Kerala Assembly) as a way to unite the Malayali diaspora that lives all over the world. The Department of Non-Keralite Residents is in charge of hosting it. It intends to use NRKs’ expertise for Kerala state development. The Loka Kerala Sabha would meet once every two years.

The Loka Kerala Sabha is a forum where the representatives of non-resident Malayalees meet together with the people’s representatives of Kerala to discuss and solve the issues related to the world Malayali community. The main sessions of the Loka Kerala Sabha, formed in 2018, were held in 2018, 2020 and 2022 at the Kerala Assembly Complex.

Apart from this, the first regional conference was held in Dubai and the regional conference of European countries was held in London. New York is hosting the regional conference of the American countries, which includes the USA, Canada, and the North American-Caribbean region.

Ekal Connecticut, which is a part of the much larger Ekal movement, held its annual fund-raising gala at All Saints Catholic School on May 6th in Norwalk Ct.

The evening resonated with foot tapping music performed by great singers with their band, fabulous Indian cuisine and a desire to make lives of children better.

Spear headed by youth volunteers one could see the hard work and determination of the volunteers.

Ekal Vidyalaya is an organization which supports education for kids in rural India and Nepal. For every 365 raised they are able to run a one teacher school for the year in rural and remote parts of India and Nepal.

This movement aims to eradicate illiteracy from these areas following the philosophy of rural development based on the criteria of equality and inclusiveness across all sections of society.

Ekal CT organizes this fundraiser every year. Ekal volunteers are all school sponsors. This year Asha and Adish Jain of Asha Foundation sponsored the program along with Warshaw capital LLC.

Program started with introductions by Kedar Godbole and Aditya Gupta. Swamiji of Wilton temple along with Asha and Adish Jain did the prayers and lamp lighting of the program. Harry Arora supported this program and spoke about the importance of supporting education for kids. Dr. Jaya Daptardar and Tanu Suneja were moderator of the program. Youth volunteers did a great job of raising the funds via bake sale before the event. If anyone wants to donate for EKAL foundation or need more information about Ekal, please visit www.ekal.org

Indian-American attorney and educator Neil Makhija has won the Democratic nomination for Montgomery County Commissioner, thus inching closer to becoming the first Asian-American to hold the top post in Pennsylvania state.

Makhija had thrown his hat in the ring for the primary election on Tuesday for Commissioner of Montgomery County, which has one of the largest Asian-American populations in Pennsylvania.

“It’s official! Our underdog campaign succeeded and I have officially won the Democratic nomination for Montgomery County Commissioner,” Makhija took to his Twitter to share the news on Wednesday.

“None of this would have happened without my incredible team + supporters, and for that I am immeasurably grateful. Together, we made history,” he tweeted.

Makhija, who belongs to a Sindhi family from India, will now be competing in the November general election to determine control of the three-member Board of Commissioners in Pennsylvania’s third largest county with over 865,000 people.

If elected, the 36-year-old election law professor at the University of Pennsylvania would be the first South Asian member to serve for the position left open by outgoing commissioner Valerie Arkoosh.

“Congratulations to my friend, @NeilMakhija, on becoming the Democratic nominee for Montgomery County (PA) Commissioner!,” Aruna Miller, Maryland’s first Indian-American Lieutenant Governor, tweeted.

In an email to his supporters, a victorious Makhija said his campaign “inspired a new and diverse coalition of voters to turn out to vote in every corner of the county”.

Montgomery County Commission is the governing body of Montgomery County, consisting of five members who are elected by districts.

Each Commissioner is elected to a four-year term and represents approximately 45,000 constituents.

The Montgomery County Commission’s responsibilities include control of all county public funds, adoption of an annual budget reflecting anticipated income and expenses (by law, expenditures cannot exceed revenue received).

If elected, Makhija, along with other commissioners, will be tasked with managing a budget greater than $500 million and 3,000 employees including elections, courts, district attorney’s office, public health departments and public infrastructure.

The commissioners will also oversee administration of the 2024 presidential election, which is expected to put local election officials in the spotlight in battleground Pennsylvania.

Makhija worked at the White House, Senate, and earned his JD at Harvard Law School on the Horace Lentz Scholarship.

As the son of Indian immigrants, the Pennsylvania native is passionate about enfranchising underrepresented communities and engaging new citizens in state and local politics. (IANS)

Pyaara Sindhi USA Inc., a newly established organization, held its first Sindhi Mela on Sunday April 30, 2023 at Asamai Temple Auditorium in Hicksville, New York to help connect all Sindhis in the tri-state area. In spite of bad weather, about 400 people attended the mela, organizers said in a press release.

Community leader and founder president of Pyaara Sindhi USA, Indu Gajwani said starting this organization was a dream come true. Gajwani, with the help of friends and community leaders, formed Pyaara Sindhi USA Inc.

“Every community except the Sindhis have their own exclusive events and melas,” organizers noted. Now the community has one of its own.

The other officeholders of Pyaara Sindh USA Inc. include President Harish Shahdadpuri, Vice President Jagdish Kakwani, Secretary Poojaa Makhijani, Treasurer Kishore Mulchandani, Director Ashok Chainani.

Indu Gajwani also thanked her husband Shyam Gajwani, “without whose support, guidance and help this would not be possible,” the organization said.  Indu Gajwani welcomed everyone and introduced the committee members. A Sindhi prayer, Behrano of Jhulelal (Sindhi God), was performed by Sindhi Pundit Hemant.

It was a free for all event with Sindhi food was served including sindhi snacks like chola dabal, boondi singar, pattice, pakora , with milkrose and tea. Attendees sported colorful traditional Sindhi outfits.

The cultural program brought Sindhi Sufi songs sung by famous singer Mahesh Chander along with Gope Chander’s family – Aarti, Haresh and Anil. The group was supported by Vijay Kumar on the keyboard, Sammy on tabla and Nuncha on dholak.

Pundit Hemant rendered soulful music and Sindh kalaams.  This was followed by cultural dances by children as well as adults.  Indu Gajwani also performed a Sindhi dance.

The Emcees of the show were Indu Gajwani and Kishore Mulchandani.

Raffles were drawn and prizes were given. This event ended with sindhi delicacies for dinner – Sai Bhaji Pulao, Bhee Wadi Patata, Daal Pakwan, Sevaian kheer and gulab jamun. There were also cupcakes for children.

Pyaara Sindhi USA Inc thanked the nearly 20 sponsors who came forward to support the event and make it a success. Scores of volunteers stepped up to help organize the event and were recognized and thanked by Indu Gajwani.

To commemorate the 75th anniversary of India’s Independence the Association of Indians in America (AIA National) recently hosted its 25th Honor Banquet in Flushing Meadows Park, New York. The sold out event was attended by over 250 prominent members of the organization and the Indian community.

US Senate Majority Leader, Chuck Schumer, Mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, Consul General of India at New York Randhir Jaiswal graced the occasion as chief guests. New York Assemblywoman Jennifer Rajkumar also attended the event.

The celebrations began with an invocation followed by both the American and Indian National Anthem. A classical dance performance by Maheshwari Jagabattula on A.R. Rahman’s Vande Mataram song brought in the patriotic fervour among the audience.

Schumer in his speech shared details about his recent trip to India and how fascinated he was with the country. He further emphasized the significance of the US-India bilateral relations and said, “Our partnership has a huge potential for growth in the 21st century.” Similar thoughts were expressed by Counsul General Jaiswal, who spoke at length of strengthening the relationship between the two nations.

Addressing the gathering, AIA National president Gobind Munjal highlighted India’s culture and values and the progress made by Indian Americans. “Indians in America bring distinct vision, values, needs and goals and we and our next generations should fully assimilate and participate in the political system and take active role in shaping the future of this great country,” he remarked.

Appreciating Indian culture, NYC Mayor said, “I like the Indian culture, tradition, values, the education and close family system and I like you to retain and enrich main stream America. I also want you to fully participate in the political system by getting everybody to register to vote and put forward candidates to have your voice heard.”

During the event, two distinguished guests received AIA’s “Honor Award” for their outstanding achievements. They included Padma Bhushan Arvind Panagariya, Ph.D. Professor of Economics and Jagdish Bhagwati Professor of Indian Political Economy in the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) at Columbia University since 2004 and Renu Khator, Ph.D Chancellor and President of the University of Houston, Texas.

Banquet committee chair, Dr Buddhadev Manvar and chair Board of Trustees, Dr Samin Sharma also addressed the gathering and applauded the AIA team for organizing the event.

The Association of Indians in America (AIA) is the oldest not-for-profit organization of Asian Indians established in 1967. It is the grassroots national organization of Asian immigrants in the United States. With chapters and membership spread across the United States of America, AIA represents the hopes and aspirations of those immigrants who are united by their common bond of Indian Heritage and American Commitment.

The Coalition for Asian American Children and Families (CACF) and the 18% and Growing Campaign gathered in front of Queens Borough Hall Wednesday to call on City Council to invest in New York City’s AAPI communities.

Over 70 advocates, service providers, and community members attended Wednesday’s rally, in which speakers and attendees urged City Council members to support the collective fiscal requests of the greater AAPI community that would enhance the health, wellness, and economic well-being of thousands of New Yorkers.

The rally was the first 18% and Growing Campaign rally in Queens, a borough that is home to some of New York City’s oldest Asian American communities.

First founded in 2008, the name of the 18% and Growing Campaign takes its name from the fact that AAPI New Yorkers now comprise more than 18% of the City’s population. Today, the 18% and Growing Campaign is a unified coalition of 90 AAPI-led and serving community-based organizations from across the five boroughs.

But despite the AAPI community’s expansive growth and development, funding for AAPI communities in New York City has historically lagged behind.

“Over the course of the last 15 years, the 18% and Growing Campaign has been at the forefront of the push to get AAPI New Yorkers the resources and support they both need and deserve. Though persistent and harmful stereotypes like the model minority myth lead many to believe that all AAPI New Yorkers are thriving, the reality is quite different,” said CACF’s Co-Executive Directors Anita Gundanna and Vanessa Leung. “Enhancing programs like the AAPI Community Support Initiative will allow community-based organizations across the city to continue to improve and expand their programming for those who need language access support, mental health resources, and more. While there have been tremendous strides made when it comes to City Council support for our communities in recent years, we are reminded of just how much we still have to do – especially in terms of getting AAPI New Yorkers who are most marginalized the critical, culturally responsive support they need.”

In order to get our communities the support they need, the 18% And Growing Campaign will be advocating for the following critical funding needs:

• Enhance the AAPI Community Support Initiative to $7.5 million to expand social services by AAPI serving community-based organizations to address the fiscal equity needed to build bridges between culturally competent and linguistically accessible services and the most vulnerable AAPI New Yorkers.
• Enhance the Communities of Color Nonprofit Stabilization Fund (CCNSF) to $7.5 million to provide capacity-building support to Black, Latinx, and AAPI-led community-based organizations.
• Enhance the Access Health Initiative to $4 million to support community-based organizations (CBOs) who provide education, outreach, and assistance to marginalized New Yorkers on how to access health care and coverage.

“Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders make up 18 percent of New York City’s population, yet our communities rarely receive the funding and support they need to thrive,” said CACF’s Director of Policy and Government Relations Felicia Singh. “As we continue to experience the economic and health-related consequences of the pandemic, it’s become clear that the city has to do more to increase access to mental health care, culturally responsive youth programming, and gender-based violence prevention programs. As budget negotiations continue to ramp up, we’re calling on City Council to continue to build on last year’s investment in our communities by supporting our proposal in full.”

Several members of 18% and Growing Campaign spoke at Wednesday’s rally, including Tsering Lama, Policy Manager at Adhikaar, Christine Serdjenian, New York Organizer at Armenian-American Action Network, Mohamed Q. Amin, Founder and Executive Director at Caribbean Equality Project, Mitch Wu, Director of Queens Community Services at Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC), Micah Dicker, Outreach Worker and Communications Specialist at CIANA, Shaaranya Pillai, Deputy Director at India Home, Julie Ma, Director of Strategy at the Korean American Family Service Center (KAFSC), Josh Bentley, Grants and Advocacy Coordinator at Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York, Inc (KCS), Sandra Choi, Civic Participation Director at the MinKwon Center for Community Action, and Ngawang Tsering, Vice President at Tibetan Community of New York & New Jersey (TCNYNJ).

“Every day in our bustling worker center, we are providing essential services like Workforce Development, Health Care Support, Community Safety Support, Adult Literacy classes, Civic Engagement and Legal Services,” said Tsering Lama, Policy Manager at Adhikaar. “At this critical time, where CBOs remain the lifeline of the City for many communities, it’s critical that the NYC legislators fund AAPI CBOs like Adhikaar and our members of the 18% and Growing Coalition.”

“Being underfunded results in our communities being underserved. An equitable budget would help Armenian-Americans with data collection and disaggregation, increase access to much-needed mental health care services, and create culturally responsive educational curriculum and youth programming,” said Christine Serdjenian, New York Organizer at Armenian-American Action Network. “We are proud to be a part of the 18% and Growing Campaign and echo the fiscal requests of the greater AAPI community that would enhance the health, and economic and social well-being, of all AAPI New Yorkers.”

“New York City is home to the largest Indo-Caribbean and South Asian foreign-born population, many of whom live in immigrant communities like Richmond Hill and South Ozone Park in Queens. For the past three years, community-based organizations have been on the front lines providing life-saving services through resource mobilization,” said Mohamed Q. Amin, Founder and Executive Director at Caribbean Equality Project. “The 18% and Growing Campaign amplifies the intersectionality and growth of the diverse AAPI communities and our collective fight for fiscal equity, an investment in community-driven solutions to create thriving, sustainable immigrant communities.”

“It is difficult to ignore how AAPI New Yorkers have been neglected and how they have not been accounted for when it comes to funding social services and public benefits,” said Emira Habiby Browne, Founder and CEO at CIANA. “Budget equity means fighting for the most essential needs- health, education, language access, safety, and more- that are being kept from nearly one-fifth of our city’s population.”

“We pride ourselves in providing the tailored services our communities need, addressing gaps that conventional senior center programs just fail to address,” said Shaaranya Pillai, Deputy Director at India Home. “Despite how challenging and how expensive it is to find culturally competent care and personnel, we continue to invest in our older adults.”

“Access Health is an imperative program – it is essential. It allows community-based organizations to help our new neighbors or long-tenured friends get the benefits they deserve,” said Josh Bentley, Grants and Advocacy Coordinator at Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York, Inc (KCS). “And yet, if the equity budget, the city, and the state continue to neglect us, we cannot continue to offer these services to the extent we wish.”

“The investment that Asian Americans receive falls short of our community’s numbers here in New York City,” said Tina Han, Community Leader at MinKwon Center for Community Action. “WE DEMAND OUR FAIR SHARE!”

“The Tibetan community here in New York City is the largest in North America and we have around more than 20,000 Tibetans in NY/NJ,” said Ngawang Tsering, Vice President at Tibetan Community of New York & New Jersey (TCNYNJ). “We need our community center to help us preserve our culture.”

“As a member of the AAPI community, KAFSC recognizes the urgent need for greater investments and resources to support our rapidly growing and diverse community, particularly for immigrant survivors of gender-based violence,” said Jeehae Fischer. Executive Director at the Korean American Family Service Center (KAFSC). “KAFSC stands in solidarity with our fellow community members in advocating for transparent investments and equitable opportunities that will allow our AAPI community to thrive. Together, we can build a more just and humane social ecosystem that supports and uplifts all New Yorkers, regardless of race or ethnicity.”

“New York City continues to struggle to get AAPI New Yorkers – many of whom are from immigrant and limited English proficient backgrounds – the resources they need to lead fulfilling and productive lives. To close that gap, resources must be allocated to community-based organizations like ours that have the trust and deep ties in the community to provide human services, health care, mental health supports, and racial literacy programming,” said Wayne Ho, President and CEO at the Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC). “We join the 18% and Growing Campaign members to call on the City to enhance the AAPI Community Support Initiative to $6 million so that Asian American community members can receive culturally relevant and language-accessible services needed to not only survive but also thrive in these troubling times.”

Wednesday’s 18% and Growing Campaign rally was the second of four planned budget rallies across New York City. We will next rally on May 16th at McKinley Park in Brooklyn, and on May 24 in Little Yemen in the Bronx. To RSVP, head here.

For more information, please contact Winnie Kong, CACF’s Communications Associate, at wkong@cacf.org.

The Virginia chapter of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) hosted an award gala to mark its 14th anniversary on April 30, 2023. Nine members of the Indian American community received awards of excellence from Virginia Senators David Marsden and Chap Petersen as well as 43rd Speaker Eileen Filer Corn during the event.

The recipients were recognized for their contributions to education, medicine, science, technology, philanthropy, the arts, culture, choreography, and community service.

They included Michael Rao, president of Virginia Commonwealth University for Education, Siva Subramaniam, emeritus professor George Town University, Rahul Gupta director of National Drug Policy Control (White House) for Public Service, Sant Gupta for Science & Technology, Mayur Shah for Philanthropy, Ghazal singer Vatsala Mehra (Arts & Culture), Choreographer Navin KC (Arts & Culture), Rajeev Bhambri for Journalism and Mayur Modi for Community Service.

Senators and Delegates from Virginia, Dev. Marsden, Chap Petersen, Eileen Filler-Corn, David Bulova, Holly Siebold, and Fairfax county board of Supervisors chairman Jeff McKay, graced the packed event. Several American, Hispanic, and diverse Asian community leaders were also present.

Speaking at the event GOPIO Virginia president, Jay Bhandari, congratulated the award winners and said “Many people of Indian Origin are holding high positions in the US and are extremely accomplished and have demonstrated innovations and leadership in almost every field. They have significantly contributed to building a strong relationship between India and the USA towards economic, social, educational, and cultural progress of both these great nations.”

The event also had cultural performances including classical and Bollywood Dances as well as live music performances that entertained the guests. The event concluded with a 5-course vegetarian dinner for the guests.

A peaceful rally was held by Indian Americans in California to protest against a Democratic senator’s proposed bill in the state’s Senate seeking to ban caste-based discrimination. State Senator Aisha Wahab, the first Muslim and Afghan American elected to the state legislature, introduced the bill on March 22. If passed, California, America’s most populous state, could become the first state to outlaw caste-based bias in the United States.

Participants at the peace rally organized by the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) expressed that the legislation introduced by Senator Wahab contradicts the fundamental principles of equality and justice for all, regardless of race, religion, and ancestry. Harsh Singh, a Fremont city resident and tech worker, said, “This bill presumes guilt, profiles and stereotypes Hindus and Asians, which will increase hate and target our kids.”

Protesters displayed posters and banners against the legislation, appealing to California lawmakers not to single out Hindus or presume that they are guilty of being oppressive simply due to their birth. Participants of the peaceful rally in front of Senator Wahab’s office said that legislation SB-403 proposes to add “caste” as a protected category in California. The protesters argued that the proposed bill is based on unproven and biased data that targets South Asians, along with other people of color such as those from the Japanese, African, and South American communities. CoHNA argued that if passed, the bill would violate the civil rights of South Asians and other people of color and deny them equal protection and due process.

The bill was introduced exactly one month after Seattle became the first US city to outlaw caste discrimination after its local council passed a resolution moved by an Indian-American politician and economist, Kshama Sawant. Sudha Jagannathan, a Bahujan Hindu American and a mother, expressed her anger and frustration that America is forcing this identity on her while “all my life this was never an issue.” She said, “SB 403 will entrench the false and dangerous concept of caste as solely connected to Hindus. It reinforces the very discrimination that its supporters claim to stop via SB 403! My children and children will be branded with a caste, despite not knowing what it is!”

Aldrin Deepak, a tech worker, LGBTQ, and Dalit American activist, expressed dismay at how hate groups like Equality Labs seek to co-opt his identity and weaponize it against the very traditions that nourished and gave succor to millions through the ages. He said, “They seek to deny the place of Valmiki and Vyasa, authors of the world’s most glorious and influential epics-the Ramayana and Mahabharata.” He rejected the attempts from Equality Labs and California lawmakers to speak for him or his community. Mr. Deepak expressed his concern that SB403 would profile them and leave them subject to being judged by so-called experts based on subjective criteria like last names, dietary preferences, skin color, and more.

Nearly 100 people went to speak at Fremont City Hall to make their concerns heard after the peace rally. After introducing the legislation last month, Ms. Wahab told reporters that the “historic legislation is about workers’ rights, women’s rights, queer rights, and civil rights.” She said, “We want to ensure organizations and companies do not entrench caste discrimination in their practices or policies, and in order to do that, we need to make it plainly clear that discrimination based on caste is against the law.” Ms. Wahab also said, “Caste goes beyond religion and nationality. This legislation primarily protects millions who live in silence and have never had such protection because there is little understanding of this issue. This bill is about protecting people who are vulnerable.”

Equality Labs, which led the movement against caste discrimination in Seattle and is now spearheading a nationwide campaign, has asserted that caste-based discrimination exists in various sectors in California, such as technology, education, construction, restaurants, domestic work, and medicine. However, some Indian Americans are apprehensive that including caste in public policy could exacerbate instances of Hinduphobia in the US.

There have been reports of Hindu temples and statues, including those of Mahatma Gandhi and Maratha emperor Shivaji, being vandalized in the last three years, which many believe is aimed at intimidating the Hindu community.

Indian Americans constitute the second-largest immigrant group in the US, with approximately 4.2 million individuals of Indian origin according to the 2018 American Community Survey (ACS) conducted by the Census Bureau. It is worth noting that India has prohibited caste discrimination since 1948 and enshrined it in the Constitution in 1950.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams appointed Indian-American CEO Udai Tambar to the newly formed advisory board on implementation of the Racial Justice Charter Amendments on April 17, 2023. The youth advocate will serve as part of the board that will advise the mayor on ways to fight racial injustice and end systemic inequity.

Tambar was named along with fourteen other diverse leaders to the board, which will help ensure the city continues to lead the nation in innovative, racial equity work and carries out the city’s newly enshrined charter changes, according to a news release by the Mayor’s office.

Champion of youth welfare, Tambar to has devoted much of his career to serving youth, including serving as chief of staff and director of Youth and Children Services for the NYC Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services and as the Executive Director for South Asian Youth Action (SAYA!), which provides comprehensive youth development services for NYC’s under-resourced South Asian community.

Most recently, the Cornell University graduate served as vice president of Community Health at Northwell Health and is currently the president and CEO of New York Junior Tennis & Learning, the largest nonprofit youth tennis and education program in the nation, serving 85,000 K-12 NYC youth.

Speaking of the significance of the board, Mayor Adams said, “Our city has come a long way in the fight for racial justice, but there is still much more work to do to end systemic inequity. We are proud to announce the launch of this advisory board, which will help us apply the critical actions needed to these important initiatives. We are fully committed to advancing equity for New Yorkers from all backgrounds and walks of life.”

The Indian Nurses Association of New York (INANI) a chapter of National Association of Indian Nurses in America stands as the voice of nurses of Indian origin in New York state. Its priorities are promoting nursing education, improving nursing standard and quality and community support.  INANY conducts continuing nursing education for registered nurses and nurse practitioners to ensure that the stakeholders understand the latest developments in nursing care and treatment so that they could apply evidence-based practice.  \

INANY conducted a free continuing education conference last week with topics from nurses building resilience to confronting violence in the society.  The conference, held at the Kerala Center in Elmont, New York was attended by several RNs and NPs. The Association is also on a grant funded by New York state to mitigate the surge in anti-Asian hate since the onset of COVID-19 pandemic and to train the public to extend helping hand to the victims of anti-Asian hate.

Dr. Jessy Kurian is a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with long experience at Northwell Health System, the largest private healthcare system in New York state.  She has been successfully treating thousands of people suffering from mental illness.  Her presentation focused on depression, a mental disorder that affects more than 17 million of American population age 18 and older.  Adults with major depressive disorder have 64 per cent higher risk than the general population for developing coronary artery disease.

They are also at 20 times more likely than the general population thinking about suicide. Many teenagers, college students and young adults who keep depression in themselves tend to self-medicate with substances and become addicts. Women are almost twice likely as men to suffer from depression.  Because of the stigma associated with mental problems, most of the affected individuals and families do not seek the treatment, though this common mental disorder can be treated.  Dr. Kurian called upon the healthcare professionals to be advocates of those suffering to seek treatment and to help them lead a normal life.   Dr. Kurian talked about the symptoms of mood disorder, how to identify the different types of mood disorder, causes of mood disorder, and the various treatment modalities.

Dr. Myrtha Rabinowich, a nurse scientist and a leader of evidence-based practice initiatives in the twenty-three hospitals in Northwell Health System presented on the need for restoring balance and energy through self-care, mindfulness and meditation. Effective practice of mindfulness is an excellent resource to recover from stressful challenges and restoring resiliency.  Dr. Rabinowich taught simple and practical ways to minimize stress of life affecting physical and mental health and to how to grow inner strengths to balance the unpredictable daily life.

Dr. Ani Jacob, a Nurse Scientist at Northwell Health and Clinical Associate Professor at Adelphi University moderated the panel discussion about the need for bystander intervention to address the anti-Asian hate related incidents across the United States which saw drastic surge since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.  New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation’s Dr. Solimole Kuruvilla, Molloy College Associate Professor and INANI president Dr. Anna George, and Adelphi University Assistant Professor Dr. Mercy Joseph were the panel members.  The panel also gave a training on the evidence-based strategies to extend helping hand to address anti-Asian hate related incident without compromising self-safety.

Nurses and nurse practitioners who attended the conference received free continuing education hours required for their license.   credits required for the professional practice of nurses and nurse practitioners are available free of charge to conference attendees.

INANI President Dr. Anna George gave the welcome speech. The moderator of the program, vice president of INANI, Dr. Shyla Roshin introduced Dr. Jessy Kurian, Dr. Myrta Rabinowitch, Dr. Ani Jacob, Dr. Solimol Kuruvilla, and Dr. Mercy Joseph.  Anto Paul, the chair of the professional development committee gave vote of thanks.

(Chicago, IL: April 16, 2023) “Congratulations and best wishes to the new team of AAPI leadership, who have been elected to lead AAPI in the coming years,” Dr. Ravi Kolli, President of AAPI, and Chief Election Officer Dr. Kusum Punjabi and Past BOT Chair of AAPI, jointly announced here today. “We thank the election officers Dr. Ashok Jain, Dr. Sunita Kanumury, Dr. Sharad Lakhanpal, and  Dr. Shashi Shah, and all the members of AAPI for participating in the democratic election process and exercising their role as the electoral college members.”

While thanking the tens of thousands of Indian American physicians, who are active members of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), and the record number of large number voters who participated in the election process, Dr. Kolli said, “We have successfully concluded our elections for the year 2023-24 for AAPI leadership positions. We want to thank AAPI members who enthusiastically participated in the AAPI’s electronic voting process and have elected a new, diverse, balanced, and experienced team to lead AAPI, the largest ethnic medical organization in the United States in the coming year and beyond.”

Dr. Kusum Punjabi, Chief Election Officer – 2023, who along with the election committee conducted the elections and counting process in the virtual presence of all the candidates and their representatives communicated the results of the election to the AAPI president to be released to all the members of AAPI and noted that  Dr. Amit Chakrabarty has been elected as the Vice President of AAPI, Dr. Sumul Raval was elected as the Secretary, and  Dr. Sreeni Gangasani was elected Treasurer of AAPI for the year 2023-24.

Dr. Syamala Erramilli, Dr. Hetal Gor, and Dr. Narendra Maheshwari have been elected to the AAPI’s Board of Trustees for a three-year term. Dr. Vijay Gunuganti has been elected as the South West Central Regional Director of AAPI, and Dr. Anuradha Mann will be the new Regional Director of AAPI’s South East Central Region.

“As the incoming President of AAPI, I would like to congratulate my incoming new team for the fiscal year 2023-24,” said Dr. Anjana Samadder, who will assume charge as the President of AAPI during the 41st annual convention in Philadelphia, PA in July this year. “I’m very honored and consider myself fortunate to be bestowed with the responsibility of leading the four-decades-old strong organization with the cooperation and collaboration of an excellent team of dedicated, hardworking, and loyal officers and executive committee members who are with me to take AAPI to newer heights,” she added.

Dr. Sammader did not have to contest the election this year, as she has been serving as the President-Elect during the past year. Dr. Satheesh Kathula, who has been serving as the Vice President in the current year also did not have to face elections, as he automatically becomes the President-Elect of AAPI for the coming year.

Dr. Anjana Samadder, the only 5th woman president of AAPI in its 41 years long history, will have a dynamic and diverse team comprising of Dr. Satheesh Kathula as the President-Elect, Dr. Amit Chakrabarty as the Vice President; Dr. Sumul Raval as the Secretary; Dr. Sreeni Ganagasani as the Treasurer; and Dr. Lokesh Edara – as the Chair, Board of Trustees; Dr. Ravi Kolli will continue to guide AAPI as the Immediate Past President of AAPI.

Dr. Lokesh Edara will serve as the Chair of the AAPI Board of Trustees for the year, 2023-24. “As the BOT Chair, I am looking forward to working towards strengthening the goals and mission of AAPI and to help make AAPI a healthcare leader in the US and globally and work in the best interests of our Physicians and our community here in the US and serve our motherland, India,” said Dr. Edara. “We will work together to promote our values of professionalism, collegiality, and excellence in patient care and enhance AAPI’s reputation as a premier professional organization offering educational programs and advocacy.”

While congratulating the newly elected leaders to the Executive Committee, Dr. Kathula, the President-Elect in 2023-24 said here in a statement: “I want to congratulate all the winners of the election. I want to especially thank all the candidates for their passion and dedication to serving AAPI and regardless of the outcome, we need you as a valuable team member of our beloved AAPI.”

Dr. Amit Chakrabarty, who won the election to be the next Vice President of AAPI, said, “I am humbled and honored to be bestowed with this responsibility. Thank you all for your support and for making my 25 years quest come true.  I thank all for believing in me.  I will work to the fullest of my abilities to reach our goals, address the challenges, and advance the issues important to our members. I look forward to working with you and making AAPI a powerful force. I am a live example that dreams do come true with dogged perseverance, dedication, and loyalty to AAPI.”

Dr. Sumula Raval, Secretary-Elect of AAPI said, “It is with great joy and gratitude that I stand before you today as the newly elected Secretary of AAPI for the year 2023-2024. I am humbled by the overwhelming support and trust you have placed in me, and I am deeply honored to serve this esteemed organization in such a significant role. I am committed to building upon past achievements and leading AAPI with integrity, transparency, and innovation. I will focus on promoting diversity and inclusion in healthcare, advocating for the needs of our members, and fostering collaboration. Let us continue to work hand in hand to make a positive impact on healthcare and uphold the values of AAPI.”

Dr. Sreeni Gangasani, the newly elected Treasurer of AAPI said, “I am thrilled and deeply humbled to have been elected as AAPI Treasurer for 2023-24. It is an honor to have your trust and confidence in me to help manage the finances of this fantastic organization. I promise to uphold the highest standards of transparency, accountability, and integrity in managing our finances. I will work to ensure that our resources are used effectively to further our mission of promoting excellence in patient care, research, and education. I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for our organization.”

Dr. V. Ranga, the outgoing BOT Chair thanked the Election Committee for their meticulous planning and organizing the elections with integrity and fairness. He said, “I congratulate the winners and the new leadership who are entrusted with the responsibility of leading AAPI in the year 2023-24 and beyond. I wish them the very best and my wholehearted support.”

While conceding the election to Dr. Amit Chakrabarty to be the next Vice President of AAPI, Dr. Krishan Kumar said, “Thank you so much for supporting me all these years.  I am glad to see the healthy spirit of all candidates (winners or not) for the association.” In his message, Dr. Raj Bhayani, while conceding the election said, “I am thankful to my supporters who gave me their precious vote honoring my many years of service for AAPI.”

Dr. Sujeeth Punnam in his message to the elected leaders, said, “Congrats to all the winners. We sacrifice time from family, practice, and resources to work in this great organization. The only reward is the ultimate feeling that we are contributing to the greater good of Indian physicians in the US and humankind in general. I wish Dr. Sumul Raval the best of luck as he moves forward with his new responsibility.” Dr. Mukesh Nigam in his congratulatory note to Dr. Gangasani and all the winners, said, “I will continue to serve this great association, AAPI. AAPI is a big family full of talented people.  I cherish every moment of being part of it.”

The growing influence of physicians of Indian heritage is evident, as increasingly physicians of Indian origin hold critical positions in healthcare, academic, research, and administrative positions across the nation. We the physicians of Indian origin are proud of our great achievements and contributions to our motherland, India, our adopted land, the US, and in a very significant way to the transformation of Indo-US relations.

Serving 1 in every 7 patients in the US, AAPI members care for millions of patients every day, while several of them have risen to hold high-flying jobs, shaping the policies and programs, and inventions that shape the landscape of healthcare in the US and around the world.

“Since its inception in 1982, AAPI has been at the forefront, representing a conglomeration of more than 125,000 practicing physicians in the United States, seeking to be the united voice for the physicians of Indian origin. I trust and believe that the new Team under Dr. Anjana Samadder will continue the noble mission and strengthen our efforts to make AAPI reach greater heights,” said Dr. Ravi Kolli.  For more details about AAPI, please visit: www.appiusa,org