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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline FEBRUARY 11, 2022 | The Indian Eye 22

IndIa’s 73rd rePublIC daY

fIA hosts celebration with Bollywood

star Poonam dhillon & launches

new scholarship program

Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi addresses the cheering audience; Mayor William D Mcleod and Mayor Tom Dailly
present commemorative plaques to FIA on behalf of Village of Hoffman Estates and Village of Schaumburg respectively

CHICAGO IL
were announced by FIA Chairman
ederation of Indian Associa- Sunil Shah and given away by Con-
tions [FIA] Chicago, a premier sul General of India, Amit Kumar,
fcommunity umbrella organiza- Deepak Kant Vyas CEO Redberri,
tion, hosted its first signature event Anil Loomba (virtual) Hitesh and
of the year 2022, celebrating India’s Kim Bhatt, the Bhatt Foundation,
73rd Republic Day with great fervor Deepak Kant Vyas CEO Redberri.
and enthusiasm, at Chicago Marriott The other two students who were the
Northwest, at Hoffman Estates, IL recipient of scholarship names are
on Jan 29th, 2022. This limited seat- Ria Sharma from Stevenson High-
ing event was broadcasted virtually school & Jaisnav Rajesh from Wau-
via zoom and Facebook live, in adher- bonsie Valley High School.
ence to the latest covid 19 guidelines Hitesh Bhatt, Founder & Kim
per State of IL regulations. Bhatt, President of the Bhatt Foun-
The event was promptly started dation were honored with a Plaque
at 7PM (CT) by the emcees Richa and were acknowledged for their
Chand & Vinita Gulabani, starting sponsorship support to FIA. In their
with the beautiful rendition of the as the outgoing president of the FIA positioned to succeed even more as speech, the Bhatt’s, shared their mes-
American National Anthem by Nitya and welcomed the new team led by we approach 75 years of India’s Inde- sage of “Improving Global Health-
Rao and the Indian National Anthem Hitesh Gandhi. Onkar Sanga in his pendence, and getting ready for Aza- Care and Education through Inno-
by Ananya Ghosh. Sunil Shah Chair- brief address congratulated the FIA di Ka Amrit Mahotsav, an initiative vation”. They touched upon their
man and Founder of the FIA wel- for their achievements in the last year by Govt, of India. He spoke about the philanthropic work in USA / India
comed the people at the event and and wished that the new team would covid pandemic, and despite its chal- / Honduras / Africa and expressed
outlined the yeoman services provid- take the FIA to greater heights. lenges how India successfully carried their interest in supporting FIA’s ini-
ed by the FIA in the recent past during Hitesh Gandhi the new president for on its vaccination drives and the role tiatives as well.
and after the pandemic. He briefly the year 2022 outlined his plan for of technology and innovation. Other prominent speakers pres-
welcomed and introduced the new the new year. He listed out the activi- Other leaders who spoke at the ent were Dr Vijay Prabhakar, Mr
team under the new president Hitesh ties and events that would take place event were: Mayor Oakbrook Dr Zakaria & Dr Anil Oroskar. Brij
Gandhi. He spoke of the plans for the during the year and thanked the FIA Gopal Lalmalani, Mayor Hoffman Sharma, Manny Lingaiah, Harish
new year and mentioned that to com- board for the trust that was shown in Estates, William D Mcleod, Mayor Kolasani, Ajeet Singh, Vandana Jhin-
memorate Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav his ability to lead the FIA to greater Schaumburg Tom Dailly (via zoom), gan, Pradeep B Shukla, Gladson Ver-
FIA Chicago has intent to start their heights in the new year. Village President Hanover Park Rod- ghese, Yogi Bhardwaj, Harry Siddhu
own community center to facilitate The FIA Board was introduced ney Craig, Illinois Gen Assembly and many others were present.
better ongoing services to community and immediately followed by the tra- Rep Michelle Mussman, Secretary of Aparna Chakravarty and
people. Shah in his closing remarks, ditional lamp lighting ceremony. The State candidate - Alexi Giannoulias Mukhtar Shah provided musical en-
spoke,” Freedom in our Heart, Pride patriotic song “Ae Mere Watan Ke (via zoom), Senator Laura Murphy. tertainment. Mukhtar Shah (Voice
in our Soul, Purity in our Blood, Let Logo” by Jitendra Balsara reminded Mayor William D Mcleod and of Mukesh) gave a beautiful tribute
us Salute our Motherland India!!” everyone of the beautiful motherland Mayor Tom Dailly presented com- to Late Mr Mir Ali FIA Director
Congressman Raja Krishna- India. The audience cheered as they memorative plaques to FIA on behalf through his songs.
moorthi in his inimitable style ad- watched an energetic dance perfor- of Village of Hoffman Estates and The highlight of the event was a
dressed the cheering audience and mance by the students of SR Dance Village of Schaumburg respectively. very exciting live zoom session with
expressed great joy and best wishes to Academy, choreographed by Elizar On a somber note, the FIA paid the legendary Bollywood actress
Team FIA and the entire Indian com- Rodriguez. tributes to Mir Ali who passed away Poonam Dhillon from India. She was
munity for the outstanding contribu- The Chief Guest Consul General recently by facilitating his wife with a introduced by Asha Oraskar & wel-
tions, over more than a decade now. Amit Kumar in his address, wished honorary plaque for his dedicated ser- comed by FIA General Secretary Ri-
Immediate past president Dr. everyone a Happy Republic Day and vice to FIA and a Scholarship grant cha Chand. Followed up by questions
Kamal Patel was welcomed on the spoke about the enormous progress of $1000 to his daughter Nida Ali. and appreciation remarks by Hitesh
stage. He outlined the achievements India has made in the last several In total three Grant Scholarships & Kim Bhatt, Pinky Thakkar, Hitesh
of the FIA during his tenure last year years and mentioned that India is now were provided to students. These Continued at next page... >>

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