FIA marks R-Day with panache

CHICAGO, GO — Federation of the Indian Associations set a new milestone in event management by holding a fabulous gala event in the celebration of India’s 68th Republic Day at Meadows Club in Rolling Meadows.

Sunil Shah, FIA’s founder-president, welcomed the ebullient guests.

The presence of dozens of entrepreneurs, elected officials, prominent community dignitaries and a large number of young adults prove that FIA has become a facilitator and purveyor of opportunities to the large Indian American community of Illinois, said Mukesh Shah, current FIA president, who later introduced all the executive board members to the attentive crowd.

Echoing similar optimism, Onkar Sangha, past president and founder, thanked all the sponsors who have displayed their strong support in the growth of FIA.

The program started with the national anthems of both the United States and India, sung by Ashley Singh and Natasha Trikha, respectively.

In the traditional lamp- lighting program, prominent community leaders joined the top brass of the FIA, including other founders of the organization like Rita Singh and Sunny Kular as well as Advisory Board Members like Asha Oraskar, Syed Hussaini, Aishwarya Sharma, and Vipul Shah.

Later, sixteen artistes from Kalashree Dance Academy took the audience into classic ballet mood. Titled as “Game of Thrones”, the performance was choreographed by Toral Chaudhary.

Nine performers of SSR Chicago regaled the audience and Mahijit Singh Virdi with his patriotic Bollywood songs churned up nostalgic emotions in the crowd.

Moon Khan, one of the two executive vice presidents of FIA, introduced Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthy, who reiterated his full and solid support to diversity and equal opportunity. He expressed his happiness to see a lot of his supporters in the audience.

Neil Khot, another executive vice president of FIA, introduced the new Consul General of India Neeta Bhushan based in Chicago, who was elated to find the top brass of the Indian community in the banquet hall.

Among the elected officials who attended the event and also addressed the audience included Village President of Oak Brook, Dr. Gopal Lalmalani, State Senator Christina Castro, State Representative Michelle Mussman, and Mayor of Rolling Meadows Tim Vinbass.

Plaques were given to Dr. Bharat Barai, a prominent Indian community leader and a recent recipient of the prestigious Bharat Pravasi Divas Award bestowed upon him by the President of India; Deepak Kant Vyas, Chairman of Redberri Global Corporation; Syed Hussain, Banking Manager of Wintrust Bank; Gulam Mustafa Faheem, CEO of Shalimar Banquets; Paresh Joshi, Vice President of Ramona Inc.; and Gurmeet Singh Dhalwan, CEO of Adbhut Entertainment.

One of the main two iconic highlights of the program was the fashion show presented by Shital Daftari, CEO of Saris and Things and choreographed by Noman Khan. The surprise entry of Sunil Shah in the fashion show generated a large response.

Despite a large number of performances, musical program by Saregamapa group the program went on smoothly due to the capable emceeing strategies of Alka Sharma, Sanjeev Singh & Sweta Bhagwakar who deserve accolades.

On behalf of the executive board of the FIA, Ninad Daftari thanked the guests, sponsors, dignitaries and elected officials.