NEW YORK; IOC.USA leaders, members, families and
friends joined together at its annual meet to celebrate its
successful activities in 2024 on November 22, 2024 in
Manhattan, New York where over 120 attendees partook
in the celebrations and the holiday festivities under
auspice of its President Mohinder Singh Gilzian who
welcomed the members and the guests and thanked
them for their hard work in 2024 and, noting that ,
although the Indian Congress Party missed the mark by a
very small margin, it had nonetheless leaped forward in
the Lok Sabha elections to the forefront causing jitters to
BJP.
Sri Rahul Gandhi made a quick short visit to USA
following the Lok Sabha elections where he addressed
IOC officers and members, Diplomats, Think Tanks,
universities, students, businessmen, investors,
international media, U.S. Congressmen, the Indian
diaspora and friends. He was warmly received in Dallas
and Washington D.C. where huge crowds greeted him
and rejoiced his success.
The evening began by Secretary-General
Harbachan Singh giving a rousing and a warm welcome
to everyone. He had just returned from India after the
campaign season for Vidhan Sabha Elections in Haryana
and three other states and expressed great satisfaction in
the efforts of the Indian Congress Party especially in
Jammu and Kashmir.
Harbachan ji first conveyed the greetings and best
wishes from Global Chairman Dr. Sam Pitroda ji who also
pointed out that Shri Rahul Gandhi’s passion has always
been to ensure that democracy is practiced in all its
forms, with focus on development, inclusion, diversity,
freedom, justice, economy, unemployment, climatic
control, education, health, safety, and security in
international affairs. He reminded that the 5 million
Indian diaspora in USA had a strong presence in
technology education, education, health, business,
banking and government was a significant resource to
contend with as this is critical to the largest and the
oldest democracies and rest of the world. He praised
everyone for their devotion and efforts and signed off by
wishing everyone a wonderful evening and Happy
Holidays.
Harbachan ji announced the names of recent new
appointments by the Central Working Committee in
IOC.USA to new positions and distributed account
statements for the approval by the Executive Committee
members. Both items were unanimously endorsed. He
then commended both Dr. Joshua Jayasingh and Pradeep
Samala for their extraordinary work related to souvenirs
and account. Harbachan ji applauded the courage,
contributions, sacrifice and the zeal of all the leaders for
their sustained outstanding service to IOC.USA during
the year.
The father of General Secretary Ms. Sophia Sharma,
from Jammu and Kashmir was respectfully welcomed
with a shawl by President Mohinder Singh Gilzian. Vice
President Baldev Randhawa, who provided heavy lift
support himself, in his speech, paid special tribute to
members who successfully supported IOC.USA in hosting
Shri Rahul Gandhi during all his recent visits to USA.
Pradeep Samala, Working President of North-East Zone
of IOC.USA recognized several leaders and supporters of
the National Congress Party. New Jersey Chapter
president Pradip Kothari, who had brought a contingent
of over 15 members to the event was very proud of his
team and their efforts. He expressed confidence that the
Congress Party will triumph in the future. In the absence
of Punjab Chapter President Gurmit Gill, Sukhwinder
Singh (President, New York Unit of Punjab Chapter)
received the “Distinguished Service Award” on his behalf.
He said he was grateful for the Award to the Chapter
President and expressed a greater show of strength by
the Punjab Chapter and happy outcomes in the future.
Others leaders who received Awards included: Vice-
President Baldev Singh Randhawa, Tamil Nadu Chapter
President Dr. Joshua Jayasingh, Pennsylvania Chapter
President Jaswinder Singh Kang (who pledged his
Chapter’s stronger support for IOC.USA in the future, and
was the first person to standup and contribute his
support for Shri Rahul Gandhi’s visits), Washington DC
Chapter President Johnson Myalil, General Secretary
Sharath Chandra Vemuganti, Jagadesh Yalamanchali,
Bala Swaminathan, Dr. Malla Reddy and Pailla families.
All recipients graciously acknowledged the awards with
gratitude in their respective speeches.
Other important leaders who spoke included; General
Secretary Sophia Sharma, President of New York Chapter
of IOC.USA Imran Pasha, President of Karnataka Chapter
of IOC.USA Rajiv Gowda, former President of Kerala
Chapter Ms. Leela Maret, and distinguished members
from the audience like Dr. Anurita Kapur and Mahesh
Patel.
The reception ended with cheers and all the attendees in
a total joyful mood having once again cemented firmly
their bonds of comradery with each other.
