CHICAGO, IL: Federation of Indian Associations [FIA] Chicago hosted Indian Republic Day Gala celebrations with added significance of swearing-in ceremony of the FIA Executive Board, now headed by Dr Sanhita Agnihotri on Friday January 26 at the Meadows Convention Center in Rolling Meadows, a Northside suburb of Chicago.
The celebration of 69th Indian Republic Day was replete with traditional, patriotic and contemporary dance presentations depicting the soul of India The event was attended among others by Consul General of India Neeta Bhushan, legendary Sarod maestro and Padma Vibhushan Amjad Ali Khan along with wife Subhalakshmi and sons Amaan Ali Bangash, Ayaan Ali Bangash.
The newly elected FIA board for 2018-2019 besides President Agnihotri comprises Executive Vice President Pradeep Shukla, Vice Presidents: Harish Kolasani, Secretary: Saloni Dar, Treasurer: Satish Dadepogu, Joint Secretary: Chris Aryan, Joint Treasurer: Raj Patel and host of Directors Yoga Balaji, Vijender Doma, Shafeeq Khaja and Shabana.
CG Neeta Bhushan in her address conveyed Republic Day greetings and fondly recalled her first attendance at FIA’s Indian Republic Day event in 2017 as the Chief Guest. FIA President Sanhita Agnihotri in her debut presidential address unveiled her plans to steer FIA in a new direction by launching more meaningful program initiatives significant to the Indian American community. As a token of appreciation she presented silk shawls to CG Bhushan and Amjad Ali Khan.
The dance presentations, especially an epic ballet dance facilitated by Harish Kolasani with 32-members dancing in unison reflecting Indian ‘Unity in Diversity’ theme and hailing India’s landscape of mountain ranges, vast rivers, dark forests, stream, sandy deserts its colorful diversity of people of all castes, creeds, faiths each complimenting the union of India.
Keerthi Kumar Ravoori, FIA Trustee urged the guests to pause on this Republic Day to salute the vanguard of freedom fighters who have shown their valor to secure emancipation from colonial rule and achieved Independence which eventually enabled India to attain its sovereign Democratic Republic.
Pradeep Shukla, Executive Vice President and Minhaj Akhtar, FIA Trustee spoke acknowledging the generous sponsorships and thanking Iftekhar Shareef, CEO National Bank Card Corp, Mrs. Malini, Midwest Manager of Air-India, Syed Hussaini of Win Trust Bank and Iftekhar and Bernard of MB Bank .
Dr. Vijay Prabhakar, President of Multi Ethnic Task Force while thanking FIA introduced Christ Kennedy Junior as a gubernatorial candidate for Illinois. Kennedy spoke at length about his family of leaders who have paved the way laying bridges of enduring friendship between United States and India.
The evening concluded with a musical concert presented by Saurin & Foram Thakkar who belted out some of the wide array of Bollywood hits that spurred spontaneous dancing from the couples.
Suresh Bodiwala
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