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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline AUGUST 07, 2026 | The Indian Eye 20

Historic DAR Constitution Hall Event

Showcases the Growing Leadership and Unity

of the Indian-American Community

NEERAJ DHAR community and commending the also attended the celebration. Their engagement and create opportunities
organizers for bringing together or- participation was coordinated by for future generations.
Washington, D.C.
ganizations from across the country Ambassador Pradeep Kapur. Rajender Dichpally, Secretary
ore than 40 Indian-Amer- to mark the occasion. Throughout the evening, speak- of the Indian-American Committee,
ican organizations from Congressman Raja Krishna- ers highlighted the opportunities highlighted the contributions Indian
Macross the United States moorthi, Congressional Co-Chair America has provided to immigrants Americans have made in medicine,
came together under a single plat- of the celebration, and Congress- and acknowledged the contributions technology, business, education, en-
form to celebrate America’s 250th man Shri Thanedar were among the of Indian Americans in healthcare, trepreneurship, scientific research,
Anniversary at the historic DAR Members of Congress who attended technology, business, education, en- defence, public service and philan-
Constitution Hall in Washington, the event. trepreneurship, scientific research, thropy. He said the celebration rec-
D.C., in what organizers described Other distinguished guests in- national security, public service and ognized both America’s 250-year
as a landmark event highlighting the cluded Uttam Dhillon, former Act- philanthropy. journey and the role Indian Ameri-
growing unity and leadership of the ing Administrator of the U.S. Drug Addressing the gathering, Ra- cans continue to play in shaping the
Indian-American community. Enforcement Administration and mesh Viswanath Kapur, Co-Founder nation’s future.
Organized by the Indian-Amer- former Deputy Counsel and Dep- and Co-Chair of the Indian-Ameri- The cultural programme fea-
ican Committee in partnership with uty Assistant to President Donald can Committee, emphasized the need tured performances by Grammy
over 40 organizations, the celebra- Trump; Arjun Mody, Deputy Com- to build a stronger and more positive Award-winning singer Falu Shah and
tion brought together Members of missioner of the Social Security Ad- public image for the Indian-Ameri- her ensemble, the internationally ac-
Congress, diplomats, senior govern- ministration; Ashok Pinto, a senior can community. He announced plans claimed Penn Masala and a Bhangra
ment officials, business leaders, phy- technology executive who has served to engage a professional public re- dance troupe.
sicians, veterans, academicians and in leadership positions supporting the lations firm to promote the achieve- The event was emceed by Priya
community leaders to commemorate White House and the U.S. Congress; ments of Indian Americans through Samant and Anju Preet Poddar. Alok
America’s enduring values of free- former NASA Administrator Dr. Mi- mainstream and digital media. Srivastava coordinated the partici-
dom, democracy and opportunity chael D. Griffin; global aerospace Dr. Suvas Desai, Co-Founder pation of local organizations in the
while recognizing the contributions leader Dr. Vivek Lall; internationally of the Indian-American Committee, Washington metropolitan area, while
of Indian Americans to the country. renowned oncologist Dr. Dattatreyu- stressed the importance of bringing Manish Sood of Intense Entertain-
The event began with the Unit- du Nori; American Association of Indian-American organizations to- ment served as Event Manager.
ed States National Anthem sung by Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) gether under one umbrella to create Organizers described the cele-
Medha Shanbhag. President Dr. Meher Medavaram; a unified voice capable of effectively bration as one of the first major Indi-
The audience also received video Asian American Hotel Owners Asso- advocating for community interests an-American community-led events
messages from Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi ciation (AAHOA) Chairman Rahul and strengthening engagement with in the nation’s capital commemo-
Shankar, Founder of the Art of Liv- Patel; academic and business lead- policymakers on Capitol Hill. rating America’s 250th Anniversary.
ing Foundation, and Sadhguru Jaggi er Prof. Rajendra Srivastava; Indi- Celebration Co-Chairs Narsim- They said the participation of more
Vasudev, both of whom emphasized an American Veterans Association ha Koppula and Deepak Raj reaf- than 40 organizations representing
the importance of unity, service and Founder and President Chris Aryan; firmed the Committee’s commit- diverse regions, languages, faiths,
responsible citizenship. U.S. Sena- and U.S. Air Force Auxiliary Pilot ment to strengthening collaboration professions and generations reflected
tor Steve Daines sent a congratula- Arun Ayyagari. among Indian-American organiza- the growing unity, influence and civic
tory message recognizing the con- More than 15 serving and former tions nationwide. They said greater engagement of the Indian-American
tributions of the Indian-American ambassadors and senior diplomats cooperation would help expand civic community.

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