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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline AUGUST 07, 2026 | The Indian Eye 28

IAAC Congratulates Patrons and Supporters

Featured in USISPF’s We The People-250 Voices

OUR BUREAU
NEW YORK, NY
he Indo-American Arts Council (IAAC)
proudly congratulates several of its long-
Ttime patrons, supporters, collaborators,
and friends who have been featured in the second
edition of We The People – 250 Voices: A Tribute
to the 250 Voices that Shaped the U.S.-India Re-
lationship, published by the U.S.-India Strategic
Partnership Forum (USISPF).
Unveiled at the IX USISPF Leadership Sum-
mit on June 29, 2026, the commemorative volume
celebrates the 250th anniversary of the United
States by recognizing 250 remarkable individuals
whose vision, leadership, and achievements have
strengthened the enduring partnership between
the United States and India.
Together, the IAAC honorees exemplify the
breadth of the U.S.-India partnership - from diplo-
macy and finance to scholarship, visual arts, and
cultural leadership - the very values that IAAC
has championed for more than twenty-five years
through the power of the arts.

Ambassador Binaya Srikanta Pradhan:
Among those recognized is Ambassador
Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, Consul General of India
in New York, whose leadership has strengthened
people-to-people ties through cultural engage-
ment, education, and community partnerships.
His support for IAAC’s festivals and programs has
reinforced the role of the arts in advancing public
diplomacy and fostering deeper understanding be-
tween the two nations.
John Guy:
The publication also recognizes John Guy, the
internationally acclaimed art historian and curator
whose scholarship and landmark exhibitions at The
Metropolitan Museum of Art have transformed
global understanding of India’s artistic heritage.
Through decades of research and curation, he has
expanded appreciation of India’s classical, devo-
tional, and courtly traditions while strengthening commitment to preserving and celebrating Indian tributions,” said Rajeev Kaul, IAAC Board Mem-
cultural dialogue between India and the United artistic traditions. ber. “Many have championed IAAC’s mission
States. A longtime friend and supporter of IAAC, Purna R. Saggurti: over the years, recognizing that arts and culture
John has generously shared his expertise in ad- are essential pillars of diplomacy and understand-
vancing the Council’s visual arts initiatives. Representing the worlds of global finance and ing. We congratulate each of them on this well-de-
economic cooperation is Purna Saggurti, Vice Chair- served recognition.”
Hugo Weihe:
man and Chairman of Global Corporate and Invest- “The We The People project is ultimately
Also honored is Hugo Weihe, the distin- ment Banking at Bank of America. Throughout his about people whose vision and commitment have
guished art historian, curator, and former Head distinguished career, he has strengthened financial deepened one of the world’s most important part-
of Indian and Southeast Asian Art at Christie’s, ties between the United States and India by advanc- nerships,” said Gaurav Verma, IAAC Advisory
whose scholarship and leadership have elevated ing cross-border investment and institutional part- Board Member. “It is especially meaningful to see
Indian and Himalayan art on the global stage. By nerships. A valued IAAC patron, he has long sup- so many longtime friends and supporters of IAAC
bringing exceptional works of Indian art to inter- ported the Council’s belief that cultural exchange is recognized among these 250 distinguished voices.
national audiences, he has helped deepen appre- an essential complement to economic collaboration. Their achievements across business, public service,
ciation for India’s rich cultural legacy. His long- “These honorees represent the extraordinary philanthropy, and the arts have enriched both our
standing friendship with IAAC reflects a shared breadth of the Indian American community’s con- communities and the U.S.-India relationship.”

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