Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) launches New England chapter

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The Federation of Indian Associations announced it has established a new chapter in New England March 8, 2021, at an event held in Boston, MA.

In addition to the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, FIA will now be present in 5 more states – Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont.

Abhishek Singh has been named president of FIA NE.

Considered one of the largest umbrella organizations of the Indian community in the U.S., this new launch makes the organization even more widespread, extending its presence beyond just the Tri-state area.

In a press release the FIA said the need for a New England chapter was essential to make this a “true grassroots non-profit organization for the Indian American diaspora.”

The formation of FIA NE will ensure that community initiatives and issues more core to the Indian American community in the region get due attention, the organization said in the press release.

FIA chairman Ankur Vaidya described it as “a 2014 dream come true” from the time FIA held its first consular service camp in Chelmsford MA.

Vaidya congratulated the new President Abhishek Singh, and applauded his eagerness to help with community initiatives and with activities that enhance the community’s image.

Singh, who has been at the helm of several community-oriented service initiatives, will lead a team that includes Sanjay Gokhale, Shova Sharma, Gautam Patel, Deepak Rathore, Rakesh Kavsari, Karan, Sainil, Karthkeyan Ramu, Amol Penshanwar and others, the press release said. They were sworn in by Consul General of India in New York Randhir Jaiswal.

Those in attendance included Massachusetts State Representative Carolyn Dykema, Justice Sabita Singh, Associate Justice of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Appeals Court, FIA Chairman Ankur Vaidya, Padma Shri S. P. Kothari, entrepreneur philanthropist Ramesh Kapoor, veteran community leader Dr Dinesh Patel and Professor Balram Singh among others.

To mark the launch of the New England chapter, the FIA in partnership with the Consulate General of India in New York and other organizations, hosted a consular services access camp for the community.

The event was held at Hotel Double Tree in Milford MA. The FIA describedit as “a grand success,”  with nearly  1,000 applications processed, and a team of over 60 volunteers working to ensure smooth operations.

Besides the Consulate, FIA partnered with VFS Global and prominent organizations of the Indian community in New England like World Hindu Council of America (VHPA), Bihar Jharkhand Association of New England, Ekal Vidyalaya, Gujarati Association, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA, India Association of New Hampshire, India Society of Worcester, India Circle for Caring, Kerala Association, Marathi Mandal, Rhode Island, New England Malayalee Association, New England Marathi Mandal, Overseas Friends of BJP, Patidar Samaj, Rajput Association of North America, Rhode Island Tamil Sangam, Saheli, Samarthanam-USA, Sewa International-USA, Tamil Nadu Foundation, Team Aid, Telugu Association of Greater Boston and World NRI Association, the press release said.