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Page 18 - The Indian EYE 052926
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    NORTH AMERICAN Newsline                                                   MAY 29, 2026     |  The Indian Eye 18

                   FIA Chicago Celebrates Mother’s Day

             and Begins Independence Day Festivities

            OUR BUREAU
            CHICAGO, IL
                   n a radiant Saturday evening,
                   the Federation of Indian As-
            Osociations (FIA) Chicago
            brought together families, community
            leaders, and friends at the Marriott
            Hotel Oak Brook to honor a bond
            that transcends borders—the uncon-
            ditional love of a mother. The elegant
            “Soulful Celebration of Motherhood”
            also served as the official curtain-raiser
            for a historic milestone: the upcoming
            signature celebrations marking India’s
            80th Independence Day and the 250th
            anniversary of the United States.
                The evening commenced with a
            warm reception, where mothers were
            welcomed with fresh roses in a venue  the biggest business fair ever hosted in
            beautifully adorned in hues of soft and  Chicago by an Indian American non-
            deep pink. The thoughtfully curated am-  profit  organization—an  expo  uniting
            biance was designed by FIA Past Pres-  businesses, entrepreneurs, and com-
            ident Vinita Gulabani, in collaboration  munities to celebrate shared achieve-
            with current President Richa Chand  ments and explore future possibilities.
            and Chairman Sunil Shah, creating an   State Senator Laura Murphy, FIA
            atmosphere of elegance and warmth.  Advisory Board Member Ajeet Singh,
                Distinguished  dignitaries—in-  and Dr. Vijay Prabhakar joined Mr.
            cluding State Senator Laura Murphy,  Shah to share further details about
            Deputy Consul Sanjeev Pal, Chicago  the conclave, which will be introduced
            City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Er-  during the signature event on August
            vin, and Aurora Alderwoman Shweta  9, 2026, at the Renaissance Hotel.
            Baid—offered heartfelt tributes, rec-  Following his address, FIA Presi-
            ognizing the invaluable role of mothers  dents Altaf Bukhari and Richa Chand
            in shaping families and communities.  delivered inspiring remarks that res-
                The  evening’s  program  was  ex-  onated deeply with the audience,
            pertly  emceed  by  Swati  Kukian  and  emphasizing the indispensable role  fessional Dr Niharica Raizada, along-  goes to FIA’s diligent General Secre-
            Saurin Thakkar, whose dynamic pres-  mothers play in shaping families, val-  side  the  recognition  of  15  extraordi-  tary, Kamlesh Kapoor, whose unwav-
            ence, warmth, and seamless coordina-  ues, and future generations. They also  nary mothers (Dr Santosh Kumar,  ering dedication ensured the seam-
            tion captivated the audience. Adding  introduced  Niharica  Raizada—Lux-  Neelam Dwivedi, Krisha Dalal,  Shwe-  less execution of the entire program.
            a musical touch, FIA First Lady Rita  embourgish-Bollywood actress, Miss  ta Baid, Dr Meher Medavaram, Arch-  Alongside Joint Secretary Dinesh
            Shah performed a timeless Mother’s  India  UK, and  a medical scientist—  ana Agrawal,  Beena Chablani, Dr  Kapoor and a spirited team of FIA

            Day melody, creating a deeply emo-  whose grace and understated elegance  Cynthia Prabhakar , Rohini Sinha, Dr  volunteers, their collective efforts or-
            tional moment.                    captivated the audience.          Aranganayaki  Asoken, ,  Dr Sanhita  ganized smooth logistics and brought
                FIA  Founder  Chairman  Sunil     Additionally,  President  Altaf  Agnihotri, Asha Rani, Suman Mohla-  the event to life with exceptional pre-
            Shah delivered a powerful and heart-  Bukhari, President Richa Chand,  jee, Smita N Shah, Dr. Sunita Narang,  cision and energy.
            felt  address,  honoring  the  profound  and Founder Chairman Sunil Shah  Santosh Suri)  who exemplify leader-  A fascinating performance by
            contributions of mothers to both fam-  extended  their  sincere  gratitude  to  ship, resilience, and selfless sacrifice.   actress Niharica Raizada enchanted
            ily and society. He reminded the au-  Bharat Goradia for his invaluable sup-  Each honoree was thoughtfully  the audience, as she not only show-
            dience, “Mothers are our first gurus.”   port in coordinating and facilitating  introduced by FIA, with heartfelt ci-  cased her dance talent but also sang
                In a moment that energized the  Ms. Raizada’s presence at this special  tations highlighting their unique con-  alongside Mr. Shah, President Altaf
            crowd, he concluded his remarks  Mother’s Day celebration.          tributions and achievements, followed  Bukhari, and President Richa Chand.
            with a major announcement, unveil-    Thereafter, children from the  by the presentation of the award.   This was followed by impressive per-
            ing plans for the upcoming signature  Sapphire Dance Group captivated the   The awards ceremony was seam-  formances from several talented FIA
            celebrations  commemorating  India’s  audience with a vibrant performance  lessly coordinated by FIA Past Presi-  singers, including Dr. Chimata, Dhar-
            80th Independence Day and the 250th  under  the  choreography  of  Sridevi  dent Vinita Gulabani, Vice President  mender Gill, Jitender Bulsara, Jayesh
            anniversary of the United States. As  Pandalai                      Sponsorship Dr. Radhika Chimata,  Patel, Shivam Viswanathan, Prashant
            part of these historic festivities, he   Celebrating the “Ideal Mother”   and  Executive  Vice  President  Sonia  Mehta, Thomas Abraham along with
            revealed the launch  of  a large-scale   A highlight of the gala was the  Luther.                     the versatile FIA President Richa
            Business Conclave—envisioned to be  presence of actress and medical pro-  A special note of appreciation  Chand and sweet first lady Rita Shah.

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