Page 34 - The Indian EYE 092923

NORTH AMERICAN Newsline SEPTEMBER 29, 2023 | The Indian Eye 34

FIA-Chicago hosts a Spectacular Indian

Independence Day Event with Poet Sahir Ludhiyanvi

niture, Global Eye - Dr. Vijay Prabha-
OUR BUREAU
kar, DABUR / BADSHAH- Rickie
Chicago, IL Singh. FIA Appreciation awards were
presented to FIA Team Members:
he Federation of Indian Asso- Dhitu Bhagwakar, Mukesh Shah, He-
ciations, Chicago (FIA) hosted
Ta Spectacular and Grand cel- mendra Shah. Media Appreciation
Awards were presented to: Vandana
ebration, “Ae Mere Watan” to com- Jhingan, Suresh Bodiwala, Harry Sid-
memorate India’s 77th Independence hu, Prachi Jaitly and Phani Krishna,
Day – Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav with Desi Talk & Hi India.
patriotic fervor on 15th September A medley of patriotic songs was
2023 at the most upcoming and sought presented by the talented FIA sing-
after, state of the art banquet hall, The ers: Pratibha Jairath, Geetanaji Maru,
Matrix Club, at Naperville, IL. Jitendra Bulsara, Swapnil Sahu, Ravi
The FIA led by Founder Pres-
ident & Chairman Sunil Shah, and mony was also held by the FIA Lead- Loomba, Asha Oraskar, Bhupendra Tokala, who regaled the audience
with their singing. The Grand Finale
Current President Vinita Gulabani, ership and the entire Board. along Beri, Brij Sharma, Hitesh Bhatt, Jas- was truly Grand in every sense of the
Past President Neil Khot, Founder with Larry Herman and other digni- bir Suga, Keerthi Reevori, Manish Word, Sahir - A Tribute to the legend-
and Past President Onkar Singh Sang- taries present. A beautiful rendition Gandhi, Nag Jaiswal, Pinky Thakkar, ary Bollywood poet & Lyricist Sahir
ha and the entire Board of Directors of the American and Indian National Pradeep Shukla, Suresh Bodiwala, Ludhianvi, a show directed by Milind
created an atmosphere of patriotism Anthem was presented by Samaira Syed Hussaini, Vinoz Chanamolu, Yogi Oak, narrated by Nachiket Devasth-
with an India centric program that Bongale and Sahiba Sidhu respective- Bhardwaj. The FIA Past Presidents ali and supported by the amazingly
enthralled the attending guests during ly. Famous Chicago Singer Nipa Shah were also invited and acknowledged: talented singers: Abhilasha Chellam,
the first half, followed by a musical ex- also sang the Ae Mere Pyare Watan Sunil Shah, Onkar Sanga, Rita Singh, Rasika Ganoo and Dhawal Chand-
travaganza, the Sahir Ludhianvi Show, song. There was also a beautiful Wel- Dhitu Bhagwakar, Mukesh Shah, Neil wadkar, along with their team of mu-
Directed by Milind Oak and facilitat- come Dance by Team Laya choreo- Khot, Ninad Daftari, Gurmeet Singh, sicians. The event was well attended
ed by Madan Kulkarni and produced graphed by Priyanka Parekh. Hitesh Gandhi. All the organizations, by about 550 plus people including the
by Niche’ entertainment during the Chairman and Founder President including the State and Regional or- who’s who of the Indian Community.
second half, post a sumptuous and de- Sunil Shah in his welcome speech, said, ganizations were also appreciated The singers par excellence and Sahir
licious dinner. “Because of the unforeseen circum- for their participation and support. team took to the stage after the dinner
The program started with a stances we had to celebrate Indepen- The prestigious FIA Community
Bharat Natyam dance by Board mem- dence Day in September. But the fer- Leadership Awards were presented and enthralled the audience until mid-
night for almost three hours belting
ber Bharatnatyam exponent and cho- vor, love for motherland & tribute to to: Vinita Gulabani, Chintan Patel, out the most famous and melodious
reographer Pika Munshi. Then Sunil martyrs is not limited to one day, month Pinkyben & Dinesh Bhai Thakkar, Sahir songs. Everyone present praised
Shah & Vinita Gulabani were invited but it’s to be celebrated every day. “He Santosh Kumar MAFS, Dr Asha Anil the talented artists and said that they
for a welcome address. Then Larry thanked the team members, Advisory Oroskar with OROCHEM, Amer- would love to come back and attend
Herman, Mayor Oakbrook was invit- Board members & sponsors for their ican Dog Movie /Neil Khot, Rajeev again! The FIA would like to thank
ed to speak and present awards, along ongoing support. And he welcomed & Sharma, Dr Alamdar Badar, Jane Lee all the vendors who set up booths and
with Sunil & Vinita at the FIA Team appreciated the dedication and com- Remax, Venkat Talari, Eggholic Bha- provided the food samples.
Recognition Ceremony where all the mitment of President Vinita Gulabani.” gyesh Patel & Lav Patel, Brij Sharma, The Emcees to the event were Ri-
hardworking FIA Team members re- Dignitaries welcomed on the stage Dr Bhupinder Beri, Sona Shah, Harry cha Chand, Anu Malhotra, Pratibha
ceived a Medal of Excellence and an were Scott Wehrli, Mayor Naperville, Mohan, Syed Hussaini, Ajeet Singh Jairath, Suchitra Kukreja and Chand-
Appreciation Certificate. The auspi- followed by FIA Advisory Board: IABC, Manoj Mulki Rani Foods, San- ini Duvuri. -Asian Media USA
cious tradition of lamp lighting cere- Aishwarya Sharma, Ajieet Singh, Anil jay Vishnu Panjwani / All About Fur-

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