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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline JANUARY 15, 2021 | The Indian Eye 19

Pravasi BHaratiya saMMan

man Awards in the presence rounding FIA’s flagship India
of Hon’ble President of India, Day Parade, women empow-
Ram Nath Kovind. erment celebration, Long Is-
The 16th edition of the land Diwali Gala, visa assistance
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was camps, among other events had
inaugurated by Prime Minis- to be called off.
ter Narendra Modi on Jan. 9 in While facing the dire impact
New Delhi. The theme of the of the pandemic, including on
convention, aimed at encourag- its fundraising activities, FIA
ing Indian diaspora to be part has continued with the chal-
of socio-economic development lenges faced, to serve and uplift
in India, was “Contributing to the community in these unprec-
Aatmanirbhar Bharat.” edented times.
We are very proud, hum- Among the unique initia-
bled and thankful to be the re- tives introduced during the
cipient of the Pravasi Bhartiya challenging year were assis-
Samman,” President Anil Ban- tance to first responders which
sal said. “It is the recognition of them are on our board who sage of our work back to the included serving meals in local
of hard and selfless work of so dedicated a lifetime in serving motherland. This is only the hospitals and to NYPD, includ-
many people in the FIA family. the community through the or- beginning and bigger and better ing front line heroes, hot meals
This award is for the exception- ganization and when told of the things are coming, stay tuned... in the International Diwali
al and meritorious contribution news had tears of joy. The tim- God bless the USA and Bharat Soup Kitchen Drive in the U.S.
to India, the Indians for social ing has a cryptic hint in it having Mata ki Jai!” and India, Bi-Weekly Diaspora
and humanitarian causes. We lost Ramesh Patel to COVID The Federation of Indian newsletter which will complete
at FIA have been totally dedi- when we had already rolled our Associations (FIA) of the tri- one year in January 2021; his-
cated to serving the interest of sleeves to prepare for the gold- state area of New York, New toric flag hoisting ceremony at
India and Indian diaspora in the en jubilee grandeur celebration, Jersey and Connecticut is one Times Square on India’s Inde-
USA. I have no doubt that un- we still continued and faced the of the largest esteemed umbrel- pendence Day, accommodation
der the new leadership of Ankur worst times in history, we man- la organizations in the Indian assistance in partnership with
Vaidya, we will expand our foot- aged with the motivated team community. It represents over the Consulate General of India
print and activities immensely and Ramesh Patel’s spirit and one million strong and vibrant in New York to find accommo-
in future. This award certainly soul to show us light and in- Asian-Indians who provide sig- dations for the students from
gives us the encouragement and spiration, the magic worked. I nificant grass root support and India who were stranded in the
incentive to reach for the stars. know he would be ecstatic. A big assistance. Established in the U.S. due to COVID-19 travel
Thanks India, our motherland thank you to Rohit Korat, Sru- year 1970, the FIA has blos- ban; OCI & visa Town Hall; and
and Jai Hind.” jal Parikh, and Alok Kumar for somed into a commendable or- several other events on the hy-
“It is truly a moment of their contribution to make this ganization that has become an brid as well as exclusively virtual
pride for FIA and for me to wit- FIA dream a reality. Anil Ban- effective mouthpiece and mobi- platforms. For its work during
ness this prestigious recognition sal’s presidency has created his- lizer for the community. the pandemic, the FIA, along
bestowed upon FIA,” Chair- tory and full credit to him, his Due to COVID-19 pan- with its core members, was rec-
man Ankur Vaidya said. “I take executive team and a big thank demic, over 11 events, includ- ognized as COVID Heroes by
this opportunity to thank the you and salute to the diplomatic ing Ambassador Taranjit Singh Brooklyn Borough President,
founders and patriarchs, some community who took the mes- Sandhu’s reception, events sur- Hon. Eric Adams.

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