Association of Indians in America hosts ‘Honor Banquet’ and Celebrates India’s 75th Anniversary of Independence

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The Association of Indians in America, AIA-National, hosted its 25^th Honor Banquet and the 75^th Anniversary of India’s independence at the prestigious Terrace on the Park in Flushing Meadows Park, New York City, May 6, 2023. The AIA is considered the oldest community organization representing Asian Indians in the US.

The banquet was attended by several high-profile invitees, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, NYC Mayor Eric Adams, India’s Consul General Randhir Jaiswal, New York State Assemblywoman Jennifer Rajkumar, and Parikh Worldwide Media Chairman Dr. Sudhir Parikh, among other distinguished guests.

The two individuals recognized for their “outstanding achievements” this year were Chancellor and President of University of Houston Renu Khator, and Arvind Panagariya, the Jagdish N. Bhagwati Professor of Indian Political Economy at Columbia University and former Vice Chairman of the NITI Aayog, Government of India in the rank of a Cabinet Minister.

Some 250 people attended the event, Gobind Munjal, president of AIA-National, told Desi Talk. The celebrations included a sumptuous four-course sit down dinner, and the live band Ragatonic entertained attendees and brought them to the floor, Munjal said.

A cocktail hour in the plush hall on the 25^th Floor with a view of the Manhattan skyline was followed by singing of national anthems and a dance performance on the theme of India’s journey to independence.

Speeches by the VIPs spoke about the achievements of India, Indian Americans, and the rising political engagement of the community in every aspect of American life.

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer spoke highly of his recent visit to India and meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said he was excited by the growing strategic and defense technology ties between the US and India and the need for both democracies to build stronger relatiosn.

Munjal dwelt on the assimilation of Indian Americans into the fabric of America. “From a neighborhood grocer to a CEO of a multinational corporation, from a schoolteacher to a Chancellor of University, from a benchwork researcher to a Nobel Laureate scientist, from a taxi driver to a billionaire entrepreneur, from a neighborhood physician to a National Health policymaker, from award-winning writers to award-winning, and finally into the political arena with 5 Congressmen and a Vice President of this great country,” Munjal reminded those present.

Mayor Adams praised Indian values and traditions and the commitment to education, as well as the prosperity that Indian Americans had achieved. He urged more political participation through the vote to get better representation at all levels of government and to have its voice heard.

Speaking to ITV Gold, Dr. Sudhir Parikh complimented Munjal and his team for hosting the event. “AIA-National is doing excellent work. We are very proud of the work it is doing,” including philanthropic initiatives, Dr. Parikh said.

Speakers also dwelt on India’s growth trajectory and the next 25 years.

Consul General Jaiswal spoke about the year-long celebrations for India’s 75 years of independence, and of the path to become the largest economy in the next 25 years. He recalled how India established diplomatic relations with US, 75 years ago.

Professor Panagariya, the keynote Speaker, dwelt on India’s journey from being the 5^th largest economy to reaching the 3^rd rank by 2047, its hundredth anniversary.

Chancellor Khator spoke of her journey to become the head of a university system and her love of the institution and work towards making it a diverse and outstanding university.

Munjal and Dr. Buddhadev Manvar, the chair of the Banquet Committee, presented the plaques and bouquets to special guests and the two honorees.