ROSEMONT, Ill.
More than 1300 people attended the black-tie event hosted by Asian-American Coalition of Chicago (AACC), where Indian Americans Dr. Amarjit Singh and Anukool Vasudevan were honored, at AACC’s 32nd Conference on Business and Networking, and Annual Lunar New Year Celebration here at Hyatt Regency O’Hare Feb. 28. This year’s gala, themed “Unity in Diversity,” was hosted by the Indonesian American community of Chicago, with Martino Tangkar serving as chairman. U.S. Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth was keynote speaker. More than 500 attended the day time health fair, business seminars and networking opportunities.
Amarjit Singh, M.D, past president of Indian American Medical Association of Illinois and also Past Chairman of Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago, with a stellar record of community service won the Indian American Exemplary Community Service Award. Anukool Vasudevan a senior at Loyola University won the Indian American Youth Who Excel Award. The awards were distributed by the Ambassador of Republic of Indonesia Budi Bowoleksono assisted by Martino Tangkar and George Mui.
Aurora Abella Austriaco a distinguished attorney, the first ever Asian-American president of Chicago Bar Association, was honored with the Pan Asian-American Award. Lisa Madigan, Attorney General State of Illinois received the Coalition’s Grand Asian Award. This award is periodically presented to someone of non-Asian descent, who has made significant contributions to the Asian Pacific American community.
Dignitaries who spoke included Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, Madigan, State Treasurer Michael Frerichs, State Comptroller Leslie Munger, U.S. Congressman Robert Dold, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez. O.P. Meena consul H.O.C. represented India’s Consulate General in Chicago and consul generals of many other Asian countries were also in the audience.
The evening program was presented by Chicagoland Asian-American celebrities, TV and radio news anchors and reporters. A fashion show was presented by Akira and Lady Quaint. The entertainment featured colorful costumes, Javanese and Balinese gamelan music performances, Holy Balinese “Barong” Lion Dance, Indonesian cultural dance “Reog Ponorogo Singo Lodoyo” by a group of 40 Indonesian dancers from Washington, performances from the 25 member Indonesian Consulate General in Chicago Dance Troupe; “Puspanjali” by the Indonesian Performing Arts of Chicago; and members of the Indonesian Dance of Illinois. “Journey to Harmony,” was a Unity Dance performed by Rentak Asia Performing Arts and choreographed by Liah Tehan. Keith, Betty and Kelly Uchima presented the musical “Together, The World Can Count On Us.” The show was produced and directed by Irene Cualoping.
“The celebration is to showcase the culture and contributions of Asian-American of Chicago on the road to empowerment,” said Rajinder Singh Mago executive secretary of Asian-American Coalition of Chicago. Lunar New Year is traditionally the single largest organized annual event in Chicago’s Asian-American communities which take turns to host the event.