IAPC is the largest organization of Indian descent journalists in North America
New York: Swearing-in ceremony and inauguration of new office bearers of the Indo-American Press Club (IAPC) was held at the Indian Consulate in New York on May 21. The IAPC is the largest organization of Indian descent journalists and media persons working across North America. Ambassador Randhir Jaiswal, Consul General of India in New York, was the chief guest at the glittering ceremony while former New York Mayor De Blasio was the Special Guest of Honor.
Consul General of India Amb. Randhir Jaiswal administering the induction of Kamlesh Mehta as the Chairman of IAPC
Ambassador Randhir Jaiswal administered the oath to Kamlesh C. Mehta as the Chairman of the IAPC Board of Directors; Ginson Zachariah, Founding Chairman of IAPC administered the oath to the new President Aashmeeta Yogiraj, IAPC General Secretary CG Daniel and several others were given the oath virtually.
Four distinguished community leaders and professionals were honored with the Lifetime Achievement Awards at the ceremony. Former Mayor De Blasio presented the award to Pamela Kwatra, a trailblazer and the only Indian American woman recipient of the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor award in 2008. The other honoree that IAPC recognized at the ceremony includes Dr. Anupama Gotimukula, Dr. Thomas Abraham, and Padma Shri Sudhir M. Parikh.
Special Honor to Mayor Bill DeBlasio presented by Consul General Randhir Jaiswal along with Ajay Ghosh – Founding President of IAPC, Kamlesh Mehta, Dr. Sudhir Parikh, and Dr. Dattatreya Nori
Special recognition was conferred upon Ambassador Randhir Jaiswal for his vision, dedication, and community service; former Mayor Bill De Blasio for Excellence in Public Service and Leadership; Dr. Prabhakar Kore, Member of Parliament in India, for his distinguished services in Education and Public Services; and Kevin Thomas, New York State Senator for excellence in Community Service and leadership.
Ambassador Jaiswal in his address praised IAPC for its significant contribution to promoting India-US friendship and the welfare of the Indian diaspora in the United States. “I wish the Club steady growth, progress, and success. I also invite IAPC to join hands with us in celebrating India@75, our Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav,” he said.
Launching of the IAPC Souvenir
While extending his greetings to IAPC, former NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio said, “Congratulations are due to IAPC for doing a good job, to Kamlesh Mehta, its new Board Chairman, new committee members, and all the honorees. We will continue to support this media organization.”
Kamlesh Mehta, the Chairman of the IAPC Board of Directors, in his acceptance speech saluted the media fraternity for braving all odds to bring to the world accurate reporting and being an effective voice of the world. “We will work together with dedication to enhance the working conditions of our journalists, exchanging ideas and offering educational and training opportunities to our members, aspiring young journalists, and media professionals around the globe,” he said.
Dance Performers of the Arya Academy with Consul General Randhir Jaiswal, Rupal Patel, Nimmi Mehta, and Consul Vipul Dev
In her presidential address, Aashmeeta Yogiraj said: “It is my honor to serve as President of the Indo-American Press Club. I look forward to furthering the principles of democracy alongside the rest of the IAPC leadership and team.”
Founding President of IAPC Akay Ghosh detailed the background of the formation of the organization. Eric Kumar, a major supporter of IAPC, introduced Mayor Bill DeBlasio.
Mayor Bill DeBlasio with honorees. (L to R): FIA President Kenny Desai, Film-maker Tarlok Malik, Lal ji Kwatra, Pam Kwatra, AAPI President-Honoree Dr. Anupama Gotimukula, Thomas Abraham, Bill DeBlasio, Consul General Amb. Randhir Jaiswal, Dr. Sudhir Parikh, Dr. Prabhakar Kore, Eric Kumar, and Kamlesh Mehta
The ceremony was attended by elite members and community leaders, including, Padma Shri Dr. Nori, Kenny Desai of FIA, Girish Patel of BAPS, Girish Shah of Jain Samaj, Babu Stephen former Chairman of IAPC, Shashi Malik of Long Island Association, Harish Thakkar of the American Indian Association, Ravi Bhooplapur President of Xavier University, Dr. Neeta Jain, Nilima Madan, Darshan Singh Bagga, Arvind Vora of Shanti Fund, and Vipul Dev, the Consular at CGI. The evening ended with a scintillating dance performance by the artists from the Arya School of Dance.
Guests at the induction ceremony of IAPC at Grand Ballroom of Indian Consulate, New York
