Newly set up IACA hosts first gala event

SURENDRA ULLAL
CHICAGO: The newly set up Indian American Cultural Association (IACA), Chicago, held its first cultural fest at Ashyana Banquets in Downers Grove, a southside suburb of Chicago with over 300 members, guests and invitees in attendance.
IACA Chicago is an all-encompassing no-profit Indian-American cultural organization established mainly to address the need for disabled and partially handicapped children. It seeks also to promote and preserve Indian and American cultural diversity.

IACA will work in cooperation with various associations in Chicagoland. IACA Chicago will work for the inclusion of children who live with special needs or different abilities through its volunteering program. Its president is Vinita Gulabani and secretary Shanu Sinha.
The program opened with Vandana Jhingan and Pratibha Jairath followed by Ganesh Vandana, performed by Kalapadma Dance Academy.

The chief guest, Indian Consul General in Chicago Sudhakar Dalela addressed the gathering and wished IACA the best and extended the support from Consulate in their future endeavours.
Congressman Danny K. Davis, an honoured guest, in his address appreciated the noble cause that IACA stood for and praised the all-encompassing work for the betterment of the community.

The grand sponsors Anil Loomba, Sunil Shah and prominent dignitaries, including Sohan Joshi, Krishna Bansal, Syed Hussaini, Sampath Jayasekar and Malini from Air India, Asha Oroskar, Nimesh Jani, Srinivasan Reddy, Rita Singh and Nirav Patel, were invited on the stage for the traditional lamp lighting ceremony. They all were presented with flower bouquets. Vedic mantras were chanted by Prerna Acharya from Indian Consulate.

President Gulabani expressed her sincere gratitude for their kind support and thanked everyone and elaborated on IACA’s agenda. She requested the gathering to donate their time and monetary support for the cause and also asked for people’s involvement in their volunteering programs.
A group of talented Chicagoland singers took centre stage to deliver the message of “United We Stand, United We Serve” with their rendition of the ever-popular iconic song “Mile Sur Mera Tumhara”.

The cultural program included a classical Kathak fusion, Radha Krishna, by Tarana Dance Academy, Ghoomer and Garba by Mankruti Performing Arts, Bollywood fusion performances, traditional folk dances, and Giddha led by the Neha Sobti group. Popular singers from Chicagoland area also entertained the audience.