NEW YORK: India’s Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur inaugurated the Indian National Overseas Congress (I)’s new President of Punjab Chapter Mr. T.J. Singh Gill who took over from outgoing President Mr. Phuman Singh at a glowing and well-attended mega gala dinner reception. The reception was held in honor of the visiting minister at World’s Fair Marina, Queens, New York on October 16.
President George Abraham and Senior Vice President Shudh Parkash Singh heralded her entry into the reception hall to the tune of music of welcome, through a passageway lined with girls holding bouquets of flowers which they presented to her.
As she made her way up to the podium, an enthused audience of 500 gave her a long and thunderous applause.
Shudh Prakash Singh characterized her as the most adored, admired and respected leader of Punjab and spoke of the Minister’s dynamism, popularity, compassion and work with the Red Cross and disabled children which had won her numerous international awards.
Ms Preneet Kaur praised the wonderful job done in short time by Mr. George Abraham and Mr. Shudh Parkash Singh and members of its National Council in putting their best foot forward in their continuing effort to establish a strong and vibrant INOC (I) organization. She also expressed satisfaction to see all Indians in America retain their pride in their homeland India and called for their continued allegiance to their newly adopted country. She recognized members of her constituency from Patiala, Punjab who were present at the event. She appealed to them to stay united and let the good work of the INOC to continue under the new leadership in enhancing the bilateral relationship between India and U.S.
Guest of Honor for the occasion was Ms Grace Meng, Democratic candidate running for US Congress for 6th District, which would make her the first Asian American in the US Congress if she wins. Ms. Meng in her address promised the audience of her total commitment to the Indian American Community and vowed to continue work as friend of India just like her predecessor Gary Ackerman in the House of Representatives if she got elected. Ambassador Manjeev Singh Puri, Deputy Representative to the United Nations, noted the size of the overflowing crowd and applauded INOC’s effort to forge closer ties between India and US, two countries with shared ideals.
Mr George Abraham noted that the Minister emphasized the important step taken by the Chairman of All India Congress Committee in reorganizing INOC (I) and thanked her for her support and guidance in the past and said it has been inspirational. He also wished Ms Grace Meng all success, recognized and thanked Mr. Manjeev Singh Puri, Deputy Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations for being present. He also thanked all members of the National Council team – Mr. Shudh Parkash Singh, Mr. Kanwal Sra, Mr. Mohinder Singh Gilzian, Mr. Phuman Singh, Mr Kalathil Varughese, Mr. Karamjit Dhaliwal and others, chapter Presidents – Dr. Dayan Naik, Mr. Daljinder Singh, Mr. Sawaran Singh, Mr. John Joseph, Juned Qazi and others; advisory committee – Mr. Harbachan Singh, Ms. Malini Shah, Mr. Mohan Wanchu, Mr. Anand Ahuja and others, public relations committee – Mr. Prasad Kambhampaty, Ms. Rekha Valliappan and all media which are voices of the community.
Among INOC (I)’s new announcements made were plans of a “Business Delegation” formed to go to India led by Mr. Kanwal Sra, National Treasurer, the passing of its own Constitution by Kerala Chapter under INOC (I) umbrella under the leadership of Chapter President Mr. Kalathil Varughese which is going to be a model for chapters to follow and reminder of membership campaign still current and underway. The announcement also included an NRI Interface Council created under the Chairmanship of Anand Ahuja which will be soon addressing the issues of concern to the Diaspora as well.
Honorees for the evening – Mr. Surinder Singh Chawla, Mr. Rajeev Bhambri and Dr. Sukhvinder Ranu – were recognized at the podium and received citations. Mr. Sawaran Singh, INOC (I) Haryana Chapter President introduced Mr. Surinder Singh Chawla, former Nassau County Commissioner on Human Rights and Chairman of the oldest Sikh Temple on Long Island in Plainview.
Dr. Dayan Anand Nayak, INOC (I) Karnataka Chapter President introduced Mr. Rajeev Bhambri, media industry veteran and Chief Operating Officer of newspaper publication India Abroad. Mr. Prasad Kambhampaty INOC (I) Public Relations Committee introduced Dr. Sukhvinder Ranu, physician by profession, Associate Director of Neonatology, Board Member of AAPI-QLI (American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin – Queens and Long Island) and President of IALI (India Association of Long island), one of the largest organizations representing Indians on Long Island.
Mr. Shudh Parkash Singh recognized many other distinguished guests – Mr. Sudhir Vaishnav, Mr. Lal Motwani, Ms. Indu Jaiswal, Mr. Prakash Swamy, Mr. George Stanley, Mr. Gobind Munjal, Mr. Prem Bhandari, Mr. Peter Bheddah and others for being present. Among sponsors recognized were Mr. Justin Smith, Prestige Hospitality Group, Mr. Harbans Singh Dhillon, Mr. Mohinder Singh Sidhu, Mr. K.K. Sharma and others.
Among the community and business leaders present were Mr. Zach Thomas, Mr. Kamlesh Mehta, Mr. Harendra Singh, Mr. Ravi Batra, Mr. Atul Kumria, Mr. Andy Mansukhani, Dr. Kishore Kuncham and many others.
Ms. Sandy K. Walia, was the energized Emcee for the evening who concluded with the eagerly awaited announcement of the vigorous and colorful dance performance by the Bhangra Team of New York. Mr Harbachan Singh delivered the vote of thanks and brought the function to a fitting close before dinner.
India Post News Service
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