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ROSEMONT, Ill.
Federation of Indian Associations-Chicago (FIA) hosted a formal ‘kick-off’ event to announce the 2015 India Independence Day festivities here at Maharaja Restaurant, May 3. Among the community and business leaders were guests of honor Bollywood movie star and model Hrishitaa Bhatt and O.P. Meena, Consul at the Consul General of India. After leading a minute’s silence for victims of the Nepal earthquake, Patel made a fervent appeal to community organizations to mobilize resources to relieve their suffering. Emcee Kanti Patel introduced prominent guests such as Dr. Barat Barai.
FIA President Indrajit Patel listed the four major events planned: parade, mela, banquet and flag-hoisting. The Grand India Independence Day Parade, Aug. 15, will be preceded by gala banquet at Meadows Club, Aug, 14, and flag-hoisting Aug. 15 at downtown Daley Plaza at 9.30 a.m. co-hosted by Consul General of India. Festivities, under FIA event- and trustee-chair Iftekhar Shareef, will conclude with post-parade family-oriented mela of music, dances and free samplings of Indian food on Devon Avenue. Introduced by FIA Trustee Harish Bhatt, Hrishitaa, expressing gratitude for this opportunity, promised to return to Chicago to grace the parade and banquet.
Shareef’s opening remarks elaborated FIA’s significant and proactive role in fostering patriotism toward the motherland through event-hosting that is to surpass expectations this year. Applauding the FIA team spirit for its being the leading umbrella organization in the Midwest, he warned the community against being misled by two individuals misusing the FIA-Chicago to collect funds. He was joined by other FIA Trustees and members in condemning such exploitation of community sentiments to subvert the 30-year-old FIA brand. Acknowledging the presence of Nepali American Sanjay Yadav, Shareef committed FIA to raising relief funds toward a long-term mission beyond short-term goals. Donations were made by Dr. Indrajit Patel, Shareef, Babu Patel, Bhailal Patel, Sohan Joshi and Mr. Choksi.
Indrajit Patel declared these chairmanships: Smita Shah as parade chair; Raj and Neal Patel gala banquet chair, Ajai Agnihotri Mela chair with Ajeeth Singh as co-chair, Shareef as finance chair, Kanti Patel as parade management and floats chair, Keerthi Ravoori as media, public relations and souvenir committee chair with Harish Kolasani and Kanti N. Patel as co-chairs; Babu Patel and Shabbir Patel as chair and co-chair for security arrangements.
Ravoori attributed FIA’s unparalleled ability to draw scores of Indian Americans together during the annual Independence Day celebrations to its brand and outstanding leadership team. Agnihotri scripted the FIA agenda and logistical framework for selecting chair and co-chairs for the summer events.
Barai outlined plans for hosting a painting exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago that could potentially bring Prime Minister Narendra Modi to town. Schaumburg Township Trustee Nimesh Jani pledged to rope in Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner to participate in the Independence Day parade.
The post FIA Kicks-Off Independence Day With Nepal Earthquake Relief appeared first on News India Times.
