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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline NOVEMBER 13, 2026 | The Indian Eye 28

A Decade of Light and Leadership:

ASARP’S 10TH ANNUAL DIWALI

GALA ILLUMINATES ELMHURST

OUR BUREAU Illinois Department of Financial and the National Association of Real- of the profession and its members. In
Professional Regulation Secretary tors, Illinois Realtors, IDFPR, Main a special recognition, Anjali Mohanty
Chicago, IL
Mario Treto Jr.; Director of the Di- Street Realtors, and all sponsors, and was appointed Joint Treasurer for her
n a radiant Friday evening, vision of Real Estate Laurie Murphy; shared a special video message from extraordinary dedication without for-
October 30, 2026 at the Wa- State Senator Laura Murphy; former NAR President Kevin Brown, who mal title—an appointment that drew
Oterford Banquet & Confer- U.S. Representative Melissa Bean; praised the organization’s profession- warm applause.
ence Center, 933 S. Riverside Drive DuPage County Board Member alism and global outreach. Pradeep Incoming President Nick Ver-
in Elmhurst, Illinois, the Association Saba Haider; Elmhurst Mayor Scott also expressed personal gratitude to ma, CEO and Managing Broker of
of South Asian Real Estate Profes- Levin; Naperville City Councilman his wife Harsha Shukla for her qui- Midwest Realty and Brokerage and
sionals [ASARP] turned a decade of Ashfaq Hussain Syed; Consul (Head et, steadfast support, and recognized a leader within Main Street Realtors
quiet determination into a night of of Chancery and Community Affairs) colleagues Anjali Mohanty, Bhailal and IDFPR advisory circles, accepted
celebration, connection, and renewed Lima Mathew of the Consulate Gen- Patel, Vimal Pandya, Rajesh Patel, the responsibility with clear-eyed op-
purpose. Under the banner “Cele- eral of India; Illinois Realtors Presi- and Kantilal Patel. timism. He thanked Pradeep Shukla,
brating Our Community, Honoring dent Debbie Prodehl; Aurora com- Vice Chair Shirin Marvi, Desig- Shirin Marvi, and Sunita Kakarlapudi
Our Connections, Building Our Fu- munity leader Sweta Baid; Chicago nated Managing Broker and founder for the strong foundation they built,
ture,” the 10th Annual Diwali Gala Association of Realtors President of her own firm, a Top 3% REAL- recognized senior members Kantilal
brought together real estate profes- Vicki Smano; Main Street Organi- TOR, and member of the Illinois Patel and Bhailal Patel, and expressed
sionals, community leaders, industry zation of Realtors President Greg Real Estate Administration and gratitude to his wife and son. Looking
partners, and families in a glowing af- Phillips; and other industry leaders Disciplinary Board, reflected on the ahead, he outlined a practical vision:
firmation that culture and commerce including Carrie Little, Sarah Wear, friendships, partnerships, and oppor- elevating ASARP’s national profile,
can strengthen each other. and past Illinois Realtors President tunities ASARP has created. She cel- growing meaningful membership, ex-
The evening opened with warmth Matt Silver. Each received a warm ebrated the organization’s evolution panding global connections especially
and tradition. Masters of Ceremo- welcome and a mark of respect that into a true community and family and with India, equipping members with
nies Niti and Mansi welcomed the reflected ASARP’s deep ties to both offered warm congratulations to out- technology and AI training, nurturing
gathering and set a tone of joy and the profession and the broader civic going President Sunita Kakarlapudi young leaders, and continuing to give
pride. Outgoing President Sunita fabric. and incoming President Nick Verma. back to the community. His promise
Kakarlapudi, a dedicated real estate ASARP Chairman Pradeep B. The formal installation of the was simple and strong—he would
professional, investor, and commu- Shukla, also a Director of the Nation- 2026–2027 Board of Directors be- give his full time, energy, and com-
nity leader known for her client-first al Association of Realtors and past came a centerpiece of the evening. mitment so that members could look
philosophy and international work president of the Mainstreet Organiza- Community leader Keerthi Kumar back on real progress.
spanning the UAE, India, Kenya, and tion of Realtors, delivered thoughtful Ravoori, former President of the Fed- Cultural performances wove
Mexico, officially commenced the remarks. He began with a moment of eration of Indian Associations Chica- color and energy through the formal
program. silence for Lynn Medicine, a longtime go and newly identified Chair of the program. Srivani Vokkarane pre-
The Lamp Lighting Ceremony supporter and realtor whose recent Indian American Business Council, sented a graceful Kathak. High-en-
followed an intimate Diwali ritual in passing was felt deeply by the organi- administered the oath. Board mem- ergy Bhangra brought the spirit of
which dignitaries and guests together zation. Looking back over ten years, bers Pradeep Shukla, Shirin Marvi, Punjab to the floor. A vibrant Bolly-
illuminated the room, symbolizing he spoke of how a modest initiative Sunita Kakarlapudi, Nick Verma, wood dance closed the performance
light over darkness and the collective to bring South Asian professionals Nimish Jani, Bhailal M. Patel, and segment. Guests also enjoyed com-
strength of the community. together had grown into a respected Kantilal Patel stood together as they plimentary mehndi, vendor booths,
Distinguished guests were recog- platform for relationships, knowl- pledged to uphold the constitution, networking, and a shared dinner that
nized and honored with traditional edge-sharing, leadership develop- bylaws, and code of ethics of the asso- allowed conversations to deepen.
shawls. Among those present were ment, and opportunity. He thanked ciation and to serve the best interests --Asian Media USA

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