‘US provided extraordinary opportunities for Indian-Americans to grow and achieve success’

WASHINGTON:- The ‘Indian-American Committee’ (AIC), in collaboration with over 40 Indian-American organizations across the United States, has held a special event in the capital, Washington, to mark the occasion of the United States’ 250th anniversary.

The event, organized to recognize and honor the contributions of the Indian-American community, was attended by members of Congress, diplomats, senior government officials, business leaders, medical professionals, veterans, academics, and community leaders of Indian origin.

According to a statement issued by the AIC, the participation of more than 40 Indian-American organizations in the event reflects the community’s growing influence and civic engagement in the United States.

The statement says, “America has provided our community with extraordinary opportunities to grow, contribute, and achieve success. As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence, we also embrace our responsibility as Indian-Americans to contribute to society, serve, and stand united. This marks the launch of a national campaign to build a powerful voice for America—a country we proudly call ‘home’.”

Distinguished guests invited to address the gathering of Indian-Americans—which began with the singing of the US national anthem—included Illinois Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (the event’s Congressional co-chair) and Michigan Congressman Shri Thanedar.

The gathering was attended by distinguished individuals, including Uttam Dhillon, former Acting Administrator of the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and former Deputy Legal Counsel and Deputy Assistant to President Donald Trump; Arjun Modi, Deputy Commissioner of the Social Security Administration; Ashok Pinto (White House); Dr. Michael D. Griffin, former Administrator of NASA; and Dr. Vivek Lall, a leader in the aerospace sector. oncologist and Padma Bhushan awardee Dr. Dattatreyudu Nori and Dr. Meher Medavaram, President of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin.

Representatives from the business and academic sectors included Rahul Patel, President of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association, and Prof. Rajendra Srivastava, a distinguished academic and business leader. Among the military veterans participating in the event were Chris Aryan, founder and president of the Indian American Veterans Association, and Arun Ayyagari, an assistant pilot in the US Air Force.

At the event, AIC founder Ramesh Vishwanath Kapur discussed the challenges facing the Indian-American community and emphasized the need to build a stronger, more positive public image. He announced plans to engage a professional public relations firm to highlight the contributions of Indian-Americans through mainstream and digital media, thereby helping to foster a more accurate and positive perception of the community.

Dr. Subhas Desai, co-founder of the Indian-American committee, emphasized the need to bring Indian-American organizations under a single umbrella to advocate for the community’s interests and strengthen engagement with policymakers on Capitol Hill.

Event co-chairs Narsimha Koppula and Deepak Raj recalled the AIC’s founding commitment to fostering greater collaboration among Indian-American organizations across the country.

AIC Secretary Rajendra Dichpally stated that this celebration is not only a tribute to America’s 250-year journey but also an opportunity to acknowledge the significant role Indian-Americans have played in shaping the nation’s future.

The event featured cultural performances by Grammy Award winner Falu Shah and her group, the internationally acclaimed a cappella group ‘Penn Masala’, and a Bhangra dance troupe. The program was hosted by Priya Samant and Anju Preet Poddar. Alok Srivastava coordinated the participation of local organizations from the Greater Washington area, while Manish Sud of ‘Intense Entertainment’ served as the event manager.