Mayor Steve Chirico and Mayor Emeritus George Pradel presented 2016 Lotus Excellence Awards to students of Indian origin. The Lotus Excellence awards are an initiative of the Indian Community Outreach Board NICO to recognize the achievers in Indian American community. Mayor Pradel Leadership Award was announced last year at the time of his retirement and is given to a senior with outstanding leadership skills. Mayor Chirico was the chief guest at the event and addressed the students and parents with best wishes. He was happy to see and know that such bright students live in his own city of Naperville. He encouraged youth to take part in extracurricular activities and said that he was so proud of these young bright minds.

Mayor Emeritus, Pradel was the guest of honor and has always been a supporter of NICO Board and their projects. He commended the students for their hard work and encouraged them to keep following their passion and dreams.

Krishna Bansal, Chairman of the NICO welcomed the guest and said: “The primary mission of NICO is to embrace, preserve, and promote the Cultural Heritage and contributions of Indian Americans while educating them to get involved with the City of Naperville”.

Saily Joshi, a NICO Board Member said the awards were presented to students who excelled in the field of Academics, Sports, Arts (Visual, Film, Music, Dance, Digital Arts, Painting, Photography, Poetry, Drama, Theater etc.), Leadership, and Community Service. The cash award of $500 was presented to multiple recipients in each award category. Eligible Students came from District 203, District 204, IMSA and home schooled children. Joshi went on to mention the importance of recognizing students for all these disciplines and not just academic achievement. “It is important to encourage our next generation to excel in fields that are traditional to our community”, she added.

Madhur Limdi, a NICO Board Member said: “In the Indian culture a Lotus flower is associated with many divine beings; you all must have seen the image of Goddess Lakshmi seated on a lotus flower, while showering wealth on her devotes,” Madhur Kimdi added.

Narayan Tata, a NICO Board Member said that art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life. A true artist finds his medium and expresses oneself so fluently that other mere mortals are mesmerized by their creativity and resulting art.

“Awards of Excellence” were presented to Binita Gupta for her Leadership & overall achievements. Gupta received the first Mayor Pradel Award for Leadership. Nihal Dantluri and Anvita Hariharan were awarded in the Art’s Category, and Murugan Narayanan and Yash Agarwal were awarded in the academic achievement. A large number of people attended the event which included board members, Naperville community leaders, and supporters from the Indian community. Those who are interested in having more information, ma lease visit NICO Board’s website www.napervilleindian.com

Mayor Steve Chirico, Mayor Emeritus George Pradel, Krishna Bansal, Chairman of the NICO along with Board presented 2016 Lotus Excellence Awards to students of Indian origin.