The Indian Panorama

Tag: Harish Kolasani

  • Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson Hosts Grand Diwali Celebration at City Hall

    Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson Hosts Grand Diwali Celebration at City Hall

    CHICAGO, IL (TIP): In the heart of the Windy City, where steel skyscrapers pierce the autumn sky like defiant sentinels, a different kind of light pierced through on October 20, 2025. At Chicago City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle Street, the grand Diwali Festival of Light Reception unfolded like a living tapestry, weaving tradition, triumph, and togetherness. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, in partnership with the Indian American Business Council, hosted a grand Diwali Celebration Reception at City Hall. The event, illuminated by glowing lamps, vibrant hues, and harmonious melodies, affirmed amid global divisions that Diwali’s enduring light prevails over darkness.

    The festivities opened with a traditional Lamp Lighting Ceremony, embodying Diwali’s spirit. Ajeet Singh, President of the Indian American Business Council, led the rite, joined by Mayor Johnson; Consul General of India Somnath Ghosh; City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Irvin; Alderwoman Shweta Baid of Aurora; Alderman David Moore; and community leaders Neil Khot, Sunil Shah, Harish Kolasani, Ganesh Kar, Harry Mohan, and Keerthi Ravoori.

    The evening escalated into vibrant energy through music and interactive dance, guided by Ajanta Chakraborty and her team, diverging from tradition to foster communal exuberance.

    Mayor Johnson with the young performers.

    In his address, Mayor Johnson stated, “As long as I’m mayor, we will always host the Diwali celebration at City Hall.” This commitment underscores a vision for a city shaped by immigrants, dreamers, and innovators worldwide. He praised Chicago’s diversity as a global strength and lauded Indian Americans’ contributions to its essence. “Now more than ever, we require peace and joy” to establish Chicago as a beacon of inclusion, prosperity, and dignity.

    During the lively dances, Mayor Johnson received dandiya sticks and participated with graceful steps, accompanied by Consul General Somnath Ghosh and other dignitaries.

    City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Irvin offered Diwali greetings, declaring, “Diversity is our strength—our superpower.” Addressing the children, she noted, “You embody the world’s goodness.” She acknowledged Consul General Ghosh and Ajeet Singh, concluding, “This builds bridges: today yours, tomorrow mine.”

    Consul General of India Somnath Ghosh invoked poetic depth: “Namaste—happy Diwali.” Thanking officials and organizers, he observed, “Diwali’s smallest flame dispels the deepest darkness, delivering peace to turmoil, prosperity to want, and love to hatred.” He urged a return to inner light, reflecting Chicago’s collective humanity.

    Ajeet Singh’s welcome address thanked Mayor Johnson for leading four consecutive Diwali events at City Hall, each surpassing the last in excellence. Ajeet Singh added the Indian American community is forever indebted for your generosity in hosting Diwali festivities.

    Keerthi Kumar Ravoori, Chair of the Indian American Business Council, closed by thanking the mayor for utilizing City Hall’s quadrangle for this grand reception and thanked the Mayor and Consul General of India for exemplifying the spirit of Diwali.

    Ajanta Chakraborty excelled as emcee, commended for her energetic poise and articulate command. Ajanta Chakraborty received glowing appreciation for her role as the emcee.

    (Photographs and Press release by Asian Media USA)

    Mayor Johnson was presented a bust of the Buddha
  • India’s Eminent Parliamentarian Suresh Prabhu honored in Chicago

    India’s Eminent Parliamentarian Suresh Prabhu honored in Chicago

    CHICAGO, IL (TIP): Indian American Business Council [IABC] hosted a rousing reception in honor of distinguished visiting Member of Parliament & Former Central Minister Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu at a ceremony held in Downer’s grove, Illinois on April 20, 2022. The reception attracted a great host of community’s prominent organizational leaders who paid glowing tributes to Suresh Prabhu for his exemplary services as the former central minister and as a renowned Indian parliamentarian who leaves behind indelible footprints for his sterling reputation as a man of impeccable integrity. Ajeet Singh, IABC President & principal host – welcoming the gathering of the distinguished guests – heaped a generous measure of praise on Suresh Prabhu for his illustrious record of accomplishment of remarkable distinction and the honor with which he served the government of India spanning decades with spotless integrity coupled with unwavering devotion to the principles of honesty. Dr. Sreenivas Reddy, Chair of the Illinois Medical Board – in his remarks – extolled the yeoman leadership of Suresh Prabhu and described him as a highly admired Indian statesman who played a significant role serving as the Indian Emissary and Sherpa at the G20 & G7 Summit. Dr. Sreenivas Reddy added that he leaves behind enduring footprints with his groundbreaking program initiatives that are directed towards the welfare of the citizens and the betterment of the poor.

    Dr. Bharat Barai speaking ‘live’ from a remote location hailed Suresh Prabhu for his exceptional leadership and his vision and thanked him for his extraordinary services to the people of India. Dr. Bharat Barai thanked Suresh Prabhu for presiding over some of the most significant portfolios of Railways, Civil Aviation and Commerce & Industry with absolute distinction. Dr. Suresh Reddy, Trustee Oakbrook Village introduced Suresh Prabhu as a visionary who presided over as central minister with remarkable honor and lauded him for his distinguished credentials that propelled him to the league of top three Indian leaders in Asia.

    Shweta Baid, Alderwoman, City of Aurora, Meghna Bansal, Trustee, Wheatland Township and Judge Kavita Athanikar joined with their gracious remarks extolling the leadership of Suresh Prabhu.

    Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu in his comprehensive remarks thanked Indian American Business Council [IABC] for hosting such a warm reception and said he is deeply touched by the lavish outpouring of honor and acclamation.  He commended the role of NRI’s in fostering historic Indo-US relations, which he added largely due to your unwavering ambassadorial efforts.Suresh Prabhu presented a detailed historical overview that shaped India and he delved extensively on education. Suresh Prabhu indicated that he is collaborating with American universities to foster a larger and wider scope of learning in the University he founded.  He said India’s role in a 21st-century world is that of immense responsibility and it is our duty to align the objectives of our institutions to the larger vision of the nation. Suresh Prabhu added that the university he founded is based on the principles of social impact and development. As an institution, my focus is on high-impact areas such as entrepreneurship, healthcare, creativity, education, and leadership. Our great ethos and culture of inquiry have to be explored and applied in a modern sense. Education is the medium to do this, he added.

    Earlier, Keerthi Kumar Ravoori, IABC’s Chair in his remarks described Suresh Prabhu a passionate votary of reforms who relentlessly strived to redefine the parameters of growth ushering positive transformation in the Indian society. Gerard Moore, Staff Director for Congressman Danny Davis presented Suresh Prabhu with the congressional proclamation that chronicled his invaluable contributions to the people of India. Vinesh Virani, IABC’s Executive Vice President conducted the question & answer session and while proposing the vote of thanks recognized and acknowledged the presence of many organizational leaders for their presence to honor Suresh Prabhu.

    Several other prominent organizational leaders who spoke at the reception including Dr. Vemuri Murthy, Harish Kolasani, Krishna Bansal, Harendra Mangrola, Rakesh Malhotra, Sanjay Shah, Shiveda, Hema Virani, Nirav Patel, Subu Nagasubramaniam, Manoj Singamsetti,, Ganesh Kar, Hema Virani, JD Digsker and Rohit Joshi.

    (Photographs and Press release / Asian Media USA)