Page 26 - The Indian EUE111326

NORTH AMERICAN Newsline NOVEMBER 13, 2026 | The Indian Eye 26

AIA Honors Five “Power Builders of Scale”

with Kautilya Awards at New York Gala

Business leadership, responsible artificial intelligence and Indian classical music highlight the evening

OUR BUREAU
WOODBURY, NY
he Association of Indians in
America (AIA), together with
Tits Business Council, hosted
the AIA Business Council & Kau-
tilya Awards Night on November 1,
2026, at Crest Hollow Country Club
in Woodbury, New York. More than
250 attended, including CEOs, COOs, The Kautilya award honorees (L to R) Pankaj Bhalla, Ashok Sancheti, Yakub Mathew, Aravind Melligeri and Dr. Samarth Kulkarni with the AIA leadership
presidents, entrepreneurs and com-
munity leaders. They gathered to rec-
ognize five outstanding business lead-
ers and explore the opportunities and
responsibilities surrounding artificial
intelligence.
Celebrating the honorees as
“Power Builders of Scale,” the evening
recognized leadership across aero-
space and precision manufacturing,
gemstones, consumer products, bio-
technology and financial services. AIA panelsis Corey David Johnson (Moderator), Hardik Bhilota, Gary Rado, Andrew Rasiej, Sai Chowdhary, Sookie Pyo,
National President Nilima Madan Siddhartha Kaul, Maulik Bhansali and Nilesh Mamdani
reflected on the enduring relevance
of Kautilya, also known as Chanakya, guished entrepreneur, internation- John Gupta and Dr. Shashi Shah. Madan, Dr Samin Sharma, Co-chairs
the Indian strategist, economist and ally respected gemstone expert and National President Nilima Madan Kalpana Patel and Gobind Bathija as
author of the Arthashastra. Her elo- philanthropist, Sancheti shared his and Board of Trustees Chair Ravi well as Harish Thakker presented the
quent remarks connected his ideas on guru’s advice that, after learning and Bhooplapur presented the awards. panelists and moderator with plaques
preparation, innovation, alliances and
AI & Tech Panel Examines Inno-
responsible leadership with the chal- earning, the third stage of life should vation and Responsible Leadership of appreciation in recognition of their
be returning —humanitarian service.
participation in the AI panel discussion.
lenges facing contemporary business Pankaj Bhalla — Senior Vice A central feature of the evening The evening featured a classical
leaders, emphasizing the importance President, Procter & Gamble, and was the panel discussion, “Harnessing music performance by highly accom-
of using wealth and influence for the CEO, Gillette North America. A Artificial Intelligence for Innovation, plished Rimpa Siva on tabla, repre-
common good. global business executive, Bhalla has Economic Progress & Responsible senting the Farukhabad gharana, and
Ravi Bhooplapur, Chair of the
AIA Board of Trustees, highlighted helped drive the growth and transfor- Global Leadership.” Abhik Mukherjee on sitar, of the Et-
Curated by Kalpana Patel, Pres-
awah-Imdadkhani gharana. Madan
mation of some of the world’s most
the organization’s achievements and recognized consumer brands. ident and CEO of Unique Comp, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the
congratulated the team on bringing
Dr. Samarth (Sam) Kulkarni — Inc., and Business Council Co-Chair, honorees, panelists, artists, sponsors,
together an accomplished gathering. CEO, CRISPR Therapeutics. A glob- the panel brought together Andrew supporters, volunteers and guests
Dr. Samin Sharma, AIA Gala Chair ally recognized biotechnology leader, Rasiej, Maulik Bhansali, Siddhartha whose participation contributed to
and Immediate Past Chairman of the Kulkarni has led the development of Kaul, Gary Rado, Hardik Bhilota, the evening’s success. She gave partic-
Board, spoke about healthcare initia- the world’s first approved gene-edited Sookie Pyo, Nilesh Mamdani and Sai ular recognition to Business Council
tives in India that support disadvan- treatment and advanced a pipeline Chowdhary. Corey David Johnson Co-Chairs Kalpana Patel and Gobind
taged communities. addressing oncology, cardiovascular moderated the discussion. Bathija, Organizing Committee Chair
Recognizing Five Distinguished
Panelists expressed optimism
Business Leaders - The 2026 Kautilya and autoimmune diseases. about AI’s potential to accelerate Harish Thakkar and Banquet Com-
Yakub Mathew — Managing Di-
mittee Chair Neelam Modi.
Awards honored:
Aravind Melligeri — Chairman, rector, Wells Fargo Advisors, New productivity, innovation and econom- The gathering also recognized the
Aequs, and Co-Founder, QuEST York. A financial leader with nearly ic growth, while examining challenges support of AIA’s leadership, including
involving cybersecurity, governance, Immediate Past National President
four decades of experience across
Global. A visionary entrepreneur Citibank, HSBC and Wells Fargo, public trust, sustainability and work- Gobind Munjal, its National Execu-
and industrial leader, Melligeri has Mathew is also the author of Seeking force transformation. The discussion tive Committee, Board of Trustees
helped advance India’s aerospace and the Infinite – Maha Kumbh 2025, a emphasized the importance of hu- and chapter representatives. Harish
precision manufacturing industries
through the development of integrat- multifaith exploration of the spiritual man-centered applications, respon- Thakkar delivered the vote of thanks.
significance of the Kumbh Mela.
Messages commending AIA’s
sible implementation and thoughtful
ed manufacturing ecosystems. The honorees were introduced, leadership as organizations adopt this Kautilya Awards initiative were re-
Ashok Sancheti — President,
Pioneer Gems, New York. A distin- respectively, by Amogh Bhooplapur, rapidly evolving technology. ceived from Binaya S. Pradhan, Con-
Neelam Modi, Animesh Goenka, The organizing team of Nilima sul General of India in New York;
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck
www.TheIndianEYE.com Schumer; and Nassau County Execu-
tive Bruce Blakeman.