On March 20, 2025, the Association of Indians in America - New York Chapter (AIA-NY) held a momentous inauguration ceremony, marking the swearing-in of Beena Kothari as the new President, along with the Executive Committee.
The event was attended by over 150 distinguished guests, including elected officials, AIA founding members, Board of Trustees, past AIA Presidents, community leaders, members, and media partners.
The inauguration ceremony featured the singing of the American and Indian national anthems by Bina Sabapthy, Jyoti Gupta, and Roopam Maini, as well as a Ganesh Vandana performance by Hamsaasya School of Dance. Harsh Vyas and Jasbir Jay Singh served as emcees.
President Beena Kothari and other dignitaries delivered inspiring speeches, emphasizing the importance of preserving Indian heritage and culture in the USA, while promoting integration with mainstream America.
The new AIA-NY Executive Committee includes: Beena Kothari, President; Anita Thakkar, Dr. Tarun Wasil, Harsh Vyas, Nilima Madaan, Vice Presidents; Dr Bal K Gilja, Treasurer; Dr Sharad Kothari, Secretary.
Members-at-Large: Anju Sharma, Bhavana Sharma, Deepak Bansal, Deepika Modi, Dr. Narendra Lodha, Dr.Sumita Sengupta, Dr.Usha Bansal, Gobind Bathija, Jay Jasbir Singh, Jyoti Gupta, Kiran Reddy Parvathala, Narinder Kapoor, Navneet Agarwal, Nick Garg, Nutan Roongta, Roopam Maini, Sanju Sharma, Surin Manaktala, Swati Vaishnav, Satnam Singh Parhar.
In her inspiring address, President Kothari emphasized the importance of cultural preservation and community engagement. "We represent not only ourselves but also our rich cultural heritage, values, and aspirations. We are the bridge between our Indian roots and our American dreams. Together, let us strive to take AIA to new heights and continue to serve our community with pride and purpose."
Kothari encouraged participation in AIA activities by generation-next, adding, “We will encourage and induct young leadership. who grew up with our motto of ‘Indian Heritage and American Commitment’, have great potential to become young AIA leaders?
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(Photo courtesy: AIA-NY)
The upcoming initiatives include:
Kothari's speech was a heartfelt tribute to the individuals who have contributed to the organization's success. She acknowledged the vital role played by past presidents, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters.
The evening concluded with a heartfelt thank-you note by Treasurer Dr. Bal K. Gilja and Secretary Dr. Sharad Kothari, followed by a celebratory dinner.
The event marked the beginning of a new chapter for AIA-NY, filled with a commitment to unity, cultural preservation, and community service.
