India Home, a non-profit organization dedicated to addressing the needs of and empowering the South Asian and Indo-Caribbean senior immigrant community in New York City, celebrated the grand opening of its first Senior Center in Hicksville, Long Island.
Standing (Left to Right): Dr. Urmilesh Arya, Sushma Kotahwala, Uma Swaminathan, Jyoti Gupta, Gobind Bathija, Gobind Munjal, Dr. Narinder Kukar, Dr. Vasundhara Kalasapudi, Mukund Mehta, Dr. Usha Bansal, and Suman Munjal. ALL PHOTOS: AIA
The new Center is supported by Association of Indians in American (AIA)national, the Guru Krupa Foundation, and The New York Community Trust, a press release from AIA said. The inauguration drew more than 200 attendees, including elected officials, community leaders, India Home and Association of Indians in America (AIA) members, donors, volunteers, and representatives of numerous community organizations.
The Center will provide seniors with opportunities for social engagement, health and wellness programs, educational workshops, cultural activities, recreation, and supportive services.
Opening the ceremony, President of the Board of Directors of India Home Mukund Mehta, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to improving the quality of life of South Asian seniors through compassionate care and meaningful programming. He thanked AIA National, Guru Krupa Foundation, The New York Community Trust, donors, volunteers, and supporters whose generosity made the center possible.
Several leaders addressed the gathering. Gobind Munjal, Immediate Past National President (2022-2025) and Member of the Board of Trustees of AIA, called the inauguration the realization of a shared vision to provide Long Island seniors with friendship, dignity, purpose, and a strong sense of community. He recalled his work with Dr. Vasundhara Kalasapudi, founder and Executive Director of India Home, to address the growing need for a culturally appropriate senior center on Long Island.
India Home operated six senior centers in Queens, and this new Center would be fulfilling the need on Long Island, for which the AIA National Executive Committee unanimously approved a $35,000 grant. The AIA Board of Trustees, current and past Presidents, and National Executive Committee members joined Munjal in presenting a ceremonial check to India Home.
Mukund Padmanabhan of the Guru Krupa Foundation reaffirmed their commitment to supporting programs that promote the health, dignity, independence, and well-being of senior citizens.
Assemblyman Charles Lavine congratulated India Home on opening the new center and praised the organization for creating an inclusive, culturally responsive environment that will benefit seniors across Long Island.
Dr. Kalasapudi expressed gratitude for the support from all quarters, especially AIA National, Guru Krupa Foundation, and The New York Community Trust.
The Hicksville Senior Center will be open free of charge every Tuesday and Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with a complimentary lunch served each program day. The celebration concluded with cultural performances and a community luncheon.
News India Times was among the media covering the event.
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