Indian American Cultural Association (IACA) celebrated President's Day by “Honoring our Heroes”

Chicago IL: Indian American Cultural Association (IACA) celebrated President's Day on Saturday, February 27 at the Mall of India, 776 Illinois Route 59, Naperville, IL 60540.



To commemorate President's Day, IACA honored Our Heroes, Organizations, and Community leaders for their excellence in their respective fields. Year 2020 was the most challenging that brought all of us together cutting across all barriers and uniting us in a most caring manner.



This Award is being given to acknowledge the efforts and services of various organizations especially during the Covid-19 pandemic and to highlight the vision to keep up the same spirit of comradeship throughout 2021 and beyond.



Program started with the American and Indian National Anthem by an 11-year-old boy, Shlok Jaiswal. A welcome note was presented by Shanu Sinha, the Secretary of IACA and she spoke about the organization’s work and community support IACA has been providing during this pandemic time. A video recorded message from Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi was played for attendees after the National Anthem. Mrs. Vinita Gulabani, the President of IACA addressed the awardees and guests on this pleasant evening. The Guest of Honor Mrs. Santosh Kumar, the Executive Director of Metropolitan Asian Family Services.(MAFS) thanked IACA for their tireless efforts to serve people in need during these COVID times, and also paid tribute to Vinita Gulabani’s parents. The event was also a tribute to Vinita Gulabani’s parents, who passed away last December.



CIW President Mrs. Madhu Uppal was invited to the podium to announce the two special honorary plaques. Mr. Hariram and Mohini Panjwani Legacy Award were presented to two associations, Ray Graham Association and Turning Pointe Autism Foundation in Naperville, for serving extensively special needs children and adults. Following that, Vasavi Chakka, the candidate for Naperville City Council and Rajesh Narayan, candidate for IPSD School Board 204 in the April 6th 2021 election were invited to the podium and addressed the crowd.



Mrs. Pratibha Jairath, renowned singer and entrepreneur took care of the podium and invited the heroes on stage to be honored.



Krishna Bansal, Chairman Indian Community Outreach at City of Naperville, also appreciated and thanked IACA for their efforts in serving the community.



TV Asia Chief Vandana Jhingan, Adbhut Media Founder Gurmeet Dhalwan, Asian Media USA Founder Suresh Bodiwala and Desi Junction, were honored for their continued support to the community for their services.



The organizations under Dr. Vijay Prabhakar, the visionary leader and our all-time strong supporter, were honored for the sincere support and for standing by the side of IACA .



American Multi Ethnic Coalition (AMEC) – (Women’s Chair - Rani Yousefzai)

Multi Ethnic Advisory Task Force (MEATF) U. S. Congressman Danny K Davis

7th Congressional District – Vice Chair Mrs. Chand Nasim

World Federation of Tamil Youth (WFOTY) - Mrs. Alli Dhanraj , Vice president

Indian American Business Coalition (IABC) - (Secretary - Anica Dubey)



Also, the following people from multiple organizations were honored for their unwavering support to IACA.

· Federation Of Indian Associations (FIA- Mr. Sunil Shah, Niel Khot, Gurmeet Singh Dhalwan),

· United Punjabis Of America (UPA) - (President- Ramesh Malhan),

· TV ASIA Midwest Bureau Chief (-Vandana Jhingan),

· Maharashtra Mandal Chicago (MSS) - President- Ulka Nagarkar,

· North America Chhattisgarh Association (NACHA) - President- Mr. Ganesh Kar, Deepali Sarogi,

· Club Of Indian Women (CIW)- President:- Maddu Uppal, Preeti Chawal, Pankaj Tanna,

· Silver Senior Group - (President: Mr. Ashok Potdar, Shirish Patel)

· Uttarakhand Samaj of Greater Chicago (USGC) - (President- Ruchi Dabral, Mrs. Richa Chand)

· Asian Media USA (Founder - Mr. Suresh Bodiwala)

· Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) & Seva International - Nagsji Rajaram, Mr. Shiddhesh Shevde

· Adbhut Media (Founder/President- Mr. Gurmeet Singh Dhalwan)

· Indian American Medical Association (IAMA) - (President: Dr. Suneel Harsoor)

· NRI Seva Foundation (Founder- Mr. Harish Kolasani)



Kids, who volunteered for IACA at multiple occasions during the pandemic times, were honored. Kids names- Ria Raj, Nysa Ranjan, Neelay Ranjan, Shlok Jaiswal, Riddhima Bembey, Sriya Nitta, Aarushi Ved, Akshay Wagh, Aarya Mishra and Rihan Shah.



Dr. Ajit Pant, Founders and current President of the US India Chamber of Commerce, Midwest, USA and Mr. Rakesh Malhotra, Founder Five Global Values were invited to be honored for their contribution to the community and IACA and also recited their beautiful poems and graced the evening.



Among the individual awardees were, Dr. Chandrakant Modi, Dr. Suneela Harsoor, Dr. Meenalochani Narayanan, Dr. Mehar Madhavan, Dr. Usha Kartan, Dr. Kamal Patel,, Aftab Monty Baig, Ranjana Gulati, Anita Beri, Anica Beri, Ravi Govindaraj, Sammy Atkinson, Kamlesh Bedi, Pratibha Jairath, Syed Hussaini, Richa Pal, Raquel Gavins, Amna Shah, and Mariam Ghaniwala.



INDIAN AMERICAN CULTURAL ASSOCIATION CHICAGO (IACA) celebrated The Presidents Day to Honour The Heroes of The Land of Chicago and The Great organizations, who in various manner supported the community during pandemic, Doctors who saved number of lives at cost of their own lives ..@Mall of India on 27thFebuary.



Also, Shri Hari Ram and Mohini Panjwani Awards were presented to schools who serve with special needs. Vinita's parents left for Heavenly abode in Dec 2020 and legacy Awards was A Tribute in their memoriam. We Thank you for joining us and making this Event A success.



IACA works for Children and adults with Autism and Special needs and bridges the gap between Indian and American cultures. Our Culture brings Right values, Right values produce Right Thoughts and Right Thoughts produce Right Actions And who Act Become Heroes.