Day: 25 October 2012

Great Neck, NY: The Indian American Kerala Cultural and Civic Center (http://keralacenterny.com) will honor five Indian American Malayalees for their outstanding achievements in their field of specialization or for their service to the society and one diplomat for his service to the UN. The awardees will be honored at Kerala Center’s annual banquet on Saturday, November 3rd starting at 7.00 p.m. at Leonards of Great Neck in Long Island (near Queens, New York City, address: 555 Northern Boulevard, Great Neck, NY 11021). The Chief Guest for the evening is Vijay K. Nambiar, Under Secretary-General and Special Adviser of the UN Secretary-General on Myanmar. Ambassador Nambiar will be honored for his service to the U,N. The keynote speaker is Dr. Geeta Menon, Dean, Undergraduate College and Abraham Krasnoff Professor of Global Business, Stern School of Business, New York University. Dr. Menon will also be honored for her achievement in the field of Education. Other award recipients who will be honored at the Awards Banquet are: Joy Kuttiyani, President of Kerala Samajam of South Florida, whose initiative to erect Mahatma Gandhi came to fruition recently for Community Service; Viju Menon, Vice President of Supply Chain Management at Verizon, the largest wireless carrier […]

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Chicago IL: National Federation of Indian-American Associations NFIA hold its17th Biennial Convention during October 12-14, 2012 at Holiday Inn, 3405 Algonquin Rd, Rolling Meadows, IL. National Federation of Indian American Associations (NFIA) Invited guests and keynote speakers: Minister of Overseas Indian affairs Vayalar Ravi, Prime Minister of Trinidad Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Indian Ambassador Nirupama Rao, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, Secretary of State Jesse White, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Consul General of India, Mukta Dutta Tomer, Congressmen Danny Davis, Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County Clerk Dorothy Brown, Past & Present Leaders of NFIA Program of the convention was, Inauguration: Friday October 12, 2012 6:30PM followed by Cultural Program and Dinner. Saturday October 13, 2012 9:00AM to 5:00PM Conferences. 7:00PM-11PM Public Meeting, Entertainment program, Award Ceremony, Grand Gala Banquet. Sunday 9AM-12:30PM General Body meeting, Lunch. Convention theme was ‘Unity/Empowerment of Youth and Women’ Message from the President Lal K. Motwani, “I am grateful to all of you for placing your confidence in me by electing me to head this association during the national convention in New York in September 2010, which also marked the 30th anniversary of the illustrious, umbrella organization for the Indian American community. I am proud to say that […]

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Stoneham, MA: The month of August saw heavy rains in the city of Jaipur, Rajasthan, and surrounding areas, causing residents of the region to face flash floods, displacement and food insecurity. Thousands were rendered homeless and a few people were killed in the heavy downpour. At the request of district administration, the Akshaya Patra Foundation came to the rescue of the flood victims and distributed over 50,000 meals in the disaster affected areas. From August 22nd to September 8th, 2012, Akshaya Patra distributed food in the low lying areas of Jaipur in colonies such as Bhatta Basti, Shastri Nagar, and Jahawar Nagar. The Akshaya Patra distribution vans were stationed near the water logged areas while food was hand carried to the affected places. The officers from the food & civil supplies department, police and district administration guided the relief operation. The Foundation continued to support the district in relief efforts until the threat had passed. Recently, the District Collector of Jaipur, Sri. Naveen Mahajan, recognized the services of Akshaya Patra during the flood. Sri. Naveen Mahajan awarded a certificate of appreciation to Rathnangada Dasa, Unit President Akshaya Patra Jaipur, who received the honor on behalf of the Foundation. “We are […]

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Robbinsville, NJ: Sixteen-year-old Chetna Patel hurried across the parking lot shielding herself from the brisk autumn morning with a plain white sweater covering her vibrant ochre-colored sari. When asked why she was in a rush, she responded saying, “I don’t want to miss a single second of today’s festivities. I have been waiting for this festival for the last four years.” Chetna was not alone. Well-wishers, devotees, and community members from across the region thronged to celebrate the opening of the Satsang Activity Center (SAC), a new home for cultural, social, and religious activities for the Hindu American community in Central Jersey. This once vacant and hardly noticeable plot of land in Robbinsville, NJ has come to life within the last few years. According to one of the Township County Officials, BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha’s conceptualization and creation of the Hindu American Religious Center (HARC) has changed the social and cultural landscape of the entire community. The opening of the first phase of the center, the Satsang Activity Center, was celebrated over three days of ceremonies and rituals. The new assembly hall will provide a location for many spiritual, cultural, educational, and recreational activities for children, families, and community members. Several […]

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