NEW YORK: The Association of Indians in America (AIA) hosted a farewell dinner for Consul General in New York, Neelam Deo, who is retiring from service, at the Diwan Grill in Manhattan on Aug 27. AIA President Santosh Khera thanked Consul General Deo for her support and wished her best in her future endeavors.

She said, Neelam Deo had been a career diplomat of the Indian Foreign Service with over three decades in the Indian diplomatic corps. Khera added that during Deo's posting in New York, she made a lot of positive contributions to the Indian community's affairs. "She has been a strong supporter of AIA and will be missed at this year's Deepavali Festival celebration on Oct 5," Khera said. Consul General Deo appreciated AIA for its Deepavali Festival traditionally held at South Street Seaport.

She said she would miss the festival. Deo also praised Indian Americans for their academic achievements at institutions such as Stony Brook University, and other fields in their personal capacity, as well as under an organizational umbrella. During year 2007 and 2008 under Khera's Presidency, AIA organized several programs in the city. Specifically, the 'India Day' event at the Ruben Museum of Art last year was extremely well received by the American audience.

This year, AIA had joined the Museum of Natural history for a joint program called "Global India", which too was much appreciated by the large number of Museum attendees. AIA has ongoing India awareness programs in schools and libraries, where vital information about India gets distributed to various schools and an open dialogue is encouraged. The next such program is scheduled for Nov 2 in Tuckahoe library.

As for this year's Deepavali Festival at South Street Seaport, Khera announced that Sony Entertainment Television, the grand sponsor, will hold its popular show "Boogie Woogie" NY Finals at the venue on the day of the mela. Also, acclaimed pop singer Raghav will perform on the occasion, as well as launch his new album that day. Fire works display on the East river, has always been the highlight of the Festival and Air-India has been sponsoring that from the very beginning.