Association of Indians In America’s new National Executive Committee sworn in

- ADVERTISEMENT -

The Association of Indians in America held an inauguration ceremony of its newly-elected National Executive Committee for 2022-2023 on Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022.

Gobind Munjal, the new National President of AIA, was sworn-in along with the Committee members at a virtual ceremony Sunday February 6, 2022.

The Association of Indians in America (AIA) is the oldest not-for-profit organization of Asian Indians in America.

Founded on August 20, 1967, it is a grassroots national organization with chapters and membership spread across the United States of America, a press release from AIA said.

“AIA represents the hopes and aspirations of those immigrants who are united by their common bond of Indian Heritage and American Commitment,” the organizers said.

The chief guest was Consul General of India in New York Randhir Jaiswal. Other important guests included Congressman Tom Suozzi, R-NY; and New York State Senator Kevin Thomas.

The inauguration and oath ceremony was attended by well over one hundred attendees and their families, organizers said. This included AIA founding members, board of Trustees, AIA National Past Presidents, AIA current and past chapter Presidents, community leaders, AIA members, friends, and all the media partners.

India’s Bharat Ratna legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar was given homage by observing a moment of silence. It was followed by singing of American and Indian national anthems by Gita Setia.

The Chairman Board of Trustees, Dr Samin Sharma, initiated the program and spoke briefly about AIA.

Consul General Jaiswal. in his opening remarks, praised AIA for all that it has done for the community during its 55 years of history and commended the organization for sending oxygen concentrators to India in 2021. He also pledged to work with AIA for outreach to the community.

National President Gobind Munjal was sworn-in by Rep. Suozzi, who also administered the oath to Vice Presidents Uma Swaminathan (NJ), Nilima Madan (NY), Santosh Pandey(IL), Uma Eniasivam (Fl),  Secretary Gunjan Rastogi (NY) and Treasurer Dr. Bal Gilja (NY). Honorable NYS Senator Kevin Thomas had the honors for swearing-in the members at large from all the states, namely Anil Sharma (IL), Aridaman Jain (NJ), Ashish Sen (IL), Dr. Bharti Palkhiwala (NJ), Dr Binod K. Verma (NY), Gobind Bhatija (NY), Manoranjan Mishra (IL), Maya Kirpalani (FL), Neelam Modi (NY), OM Dhirgra (IL), Pradeep Tandon (NY), Prem Mehrotra (IL), Rajeev Chaudhary(NY) Ram Khanna (NY), Santosh Khera (NY), Sharmistha Dutta (FL), Shashi Malik (NY), Sujata Seth (NY), Sushma Kotahwala (NY), and Usha Bansal (NY).

 In his speech, President Munjal emphasized the AIA moto of “Indian Heritage and American Commitment” adding, “We are here to serve the community needs. As we continue to direct our help to the people in India, our homeland, we should equally remain committed to the community right here in the United States, our adopted homeland. We hope to work towards increasing that commitment.”

Munjal went on to note that as the demographic profile of the Indian-American community has changed in past 5 decades since the founding of AIA, so have their needs, and that AIA remains committed to understanding the changing requirements of the community, and then will develop programs to help both the youth and the elderly.

The new executive committee, Munjal said, “Pledges support to all the Chapter Presidents and its members, so they all can build and expand on these programs across the nation. This way together, we can make the next two years most productive.”

A plaque was presented to the outgoing National President Dr. Urmilesh Arya for her “splendid service” and all the contributions to the organization and the community.

All AIA leadership extended their good wishes and support to the new team. The program concluded with a traditional vote of thanks by the Secretary Gunjan Rastogi.