MINEOLA, NY (TIP): The Association of Indians in America – New York Chapter (AIA-NY), on March 20, held a momentous inauguration swearing-in of Beena Kothari as the new President, along with the Executive Committee.
The event was attended by over 150 distinguished guests, including elected officials, AIA founding members, Board of Trustees, AIA Past Presidents, community leaders, members, and media partners. A plaque was presented to outgoing President of AIA-NY Dr. Jagdish Gupta for his leadership of AIA-NY .
Recognizing the AIA Past Presidents
The inauguration ceremony featured the singing of the American and Indian national anthems by Bina Sabapthy, Jyoti Gupta, and Roopam Maini, as well as a Ganesh Vandana performance by Hamsaasya School of Dance. Harsh Vyas and Jasbir Jay Singh served as emcees.
President Beena Kothari presenting a bouquet to Legislator Rosemary Walker
President Beena Kothari and other dignitaries delivered inspiring speeches, emphasizing the importance of preserving Indian heritage and culture in the USA, while promoting integration with mainstream America.
AIA-NY Executive Committee, sworn in included:
– President: Beena Kothari
– Vice Presidents: Anita Thakkar, Dr. Tarun Wasil, Harsh Vyas, Nilima Madaan
– Treasurer: Dr. Bal K. Gilja
– Secretary: Dr. Sharad Kothari
– Members-at-Large: –
Anju Sharma, Bhavana Sharma, Deepak Bansal, Deepika Modi
Dr. Narendra Lodha, Dr.Sumita Sengupta, Dr.Usha Bansal,
Gobind Bathija, Jay Jasbir Singh, Jyoti Gupta
Kiran Reddy Parvathala, Narinder Kapoor
Navneet Agarwal, Nick Garg, Nutan Roongta
Roopam Maini, Sanju Sharma, Surin Manaktala
Swati Vaishnav, Satnam Singh Parhar
President Beena Kothari’s Vision:
In her inspiring address, President Kothari emphasized the importance of cultural preservation and community engagement. “We represent not only ourselves but also our rich cultural heritage, values, and aspirations. We are the bridge between our Indian roots and our American dreams. Together, let us strive to take AIA to new heights and continue to serve our community with pride and purpose.”Embracing the inclusive spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, Beena strives to break down barriers and build bridges. She believes in the potential of young individuals and women to drive positive change and is committed to empowering them to become leaders.
Beena’s ultimate goal is to contribute meaningfully to the community, spreading love, kindness, and compassion, and making the world a better place for all.
President Beena Kothari is congratulated by family and friends.
Upcoming Initiatives:
– Holi Celebration – March 26th, in collaboration with CUNY Asian American Student Board
– Annual Fundraising Gala for Deepavali – June 1st
– National AIA Medical Council Awards Gala – May 3rd, at Cipriani 42nd Street, Manhattan
– Desi Next Youth – (TBD)
– Fundraiser Dinner AIA’s Project India – July 20th
– AIA-NY Iconic Deepavali Festival – October 2025
Beena Kothari’s speech was a heartfelt tribute to the individuals who have contributed to the organization’s success. She acknowledged the vital role played by past presidents, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters.
The evening concluded with a heartfelt thank-you note by Treasurer Dr. Bal K. Gilja and Secretary Dr. Sharad Kothari, followed by a celebratory dinner.
The event marked the beginning of a new chapter for AIA-NY, filled with a commitment to unity, cultural preservation, and community service.
HICKSVILLE, NY (TIP) : The India Day Parade of Long Island this year surpassed the glory and grandeur of the previous parades, as witnessed by tens of thousands of people celebrating India’s 78th Independence Day here in Long Island on August 25. A record 50 marching groups from different organizations and 11 floats participated in the parade, which were cheered on by the public waving the Indian Flag and lining alongside South Broadway down from the Patel Brothers Plaza.
The floats included a replica of the Golden Temple in Amritsar, the Ram Mandir, consecrated in Ayodhya earlier this year by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and one float of Lord Ganesha. Other floats included the Arya Samaj of Long Island, LIPAC and many more. The surprising participation by the Hicksville School Marching band and 25 motorcycle riders was a great attraction to the onlookers for the annual parade.
Grand Marshals and guests of honor lead the parade.
Organized by IDP USA, the parade, now in its 13th year, was a grand success held under the leadership of co-Presidents Vimal Goyal and Deepak Bansal, their team and Nassau County Human Rights Commission Chair Dr. Bobby Kumar Kalotee.
Celebrity Grand Marshals were comely actress and politician Jaya Prada Nahata and actress Neetu Chandra who stole the hearts of their fans. Dr Urmilesh Arya was the community Grand Marshall. Consul General Binaya Pradhan as Grand Marshall was represented by Vishal Jayesh Bhai Harsh – Consul (Economy, HOC & CPIO) and Mr. Anurag. Harry Singh Bolla of Bolla Oil, Shudh Prakash Singh, and Dr Jay Sarkar were Chief Guests. There were several Guests of Honor and dignitaries who were present.
The elected officials who addressed the surging crowds from the stage at Patel Brothers and later at the entertainment stage included Congressman Anthony D’Esposito, NY Senate members Steve Rhoads and Jack Martins, TOBAY Supervisor Joseph Saladino, Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena, Nassau County Legislator from Hicksville Rose Marie Walker, and Town of North Hempstead Town Clerk Ragini Srivastava and others.
Grand Marshals, guests of honor, dignitaries and organizers.
Several dignitaries and lawmakers as well as celebrities and prominent guests from the community joined in the celebrations, adding to the gravitas of the calendar event of Long Island. Patriotic songs and slogans, such as ‘Bharat Mata ki jai’ and ‘Jai Hind,’ rang out in the air as people waved India’s tricolor along the parade route.
The parade culminated at the sprawling LIRR parking lot. Over 55 booths set up there attracted a stream of visitors. Free, delicious meals were served to all, courtesy of IDP USA. Bolla Market set up Free Children’s Carnival Games.
In the afternoon, the gathering was regaled with popular Bollywood and Punjabi songs by well-known entertainers Rex D’Souza with his live band, Indian Idol Khuda Baksh, and Bhangra King Sarabjeet Cheema.
Several people, including members of the IDP Team such as Chairman Bobby Kalotee, President Vimal Goyal, Past Presidents Jay Jasbir Singh, Indu Jaiswal, Senior Vice Presidents Nilima Madan, Bina Sabapathy and many team members and others were seen dancing with joy near the stage as they celebrated India’s 78th Independence Day.
(Based on a Press Release and photographs submitted by Nilima Madan)
Indian Idol Khuda Baksh, and Bhangra King Sarabjeet Cheema regaled the audience with music and dance. Seen on extreme right is Nishi Behl, the mentor of many beauty queens.
Ambassador Jaiswal gives his remarks. (Photo : Mohammed Jaffer/ SnapsIndia)Sharanjit Singh Thind and Jay Jasbir Singh presented a Citation from the Town of Hempstead to Ambassador Jaiswal. Prof. Indrajit Saluja, publisher/ editor of The Indian Panorama joined in the presentation. (Photo : Mohammed Jaffer/ SnapsIndia)Radhika Krishnaraj and Harsh Chitroda sang a few Bollywood songs. (Photo : Mohammed Jaffer/SnapsIndia)A view of the gathering (Photo : Mohammed Jaffer/ SnapsIndia)
NEW YORK (TIP): Indian Consulate here hosted a reception for Indian American media in celebration of Diwali. At the first of its kind meet and greet , Ambassador Jaiswal said that a lot is happening in the women’s space from grassroots action to President of India. We need a lot more. I think we have to be able to create a more wholesome society. Participation of womenfolk is very important. We want more and more women to come in the public space; more and more women to join in the journey to build the nation. At the Consulate, we are fortunate that majority of our colleagues happen to be women. Happy Diwali. Let’s enjoy together. Let’s greet each other and let’s celebrate together. Thank you very much.”
Earlier, Ambassador Jaiswal lighted a Diya which is a traditional ceremony for any event. He was joined by Yoshita Singh, Thomas Oomen, Dr. Sudhir Parikh and Prof. Indrajit S Saluja.
Sharanjit Singh Thind and Jay Jasbir Singh presented a Citation on behalf of the Town of Hempstead to Ambassador Jaiswal. Prof. Indrajit S Saluja joined in the presentation. A brief entertainment program curated by Sunny Thakkar of Sneh Arts added to the charm of the event. Radhika Krishnaraj and Harsh Chitroda sang a few Bollywood songs. A large number of media persons and consulate staff attended the event.
HICKSVILLE, NY (TIP): Countdown has begun for the 10th IDP USA Parade of Long Island on Sunday, August 8 to celebrate India’s 75th Independence Day. Notwithstanding fresh threats from Covid variant Delta and warnings from health experts of a possible wave of the virus spreading across the country, there is a huge enthusiasm among the Indian community to participate. Moreover, the two other India Day parades- one in Manhattan and the other in Queens- are not happening, leaving the IDP USA of Long Island as the only India Day celebratory parade that people can participate in.
According to the parade organizers, tens of thousands are expected to march in the parade and cheer it from the sidewalks as it starts at 1 PM from Patel Brothers and walks down the Little India part of Hicksville to culminate near Asa Mai Hindu temple on East Barclay Street where the entertainment stage will be set up with a live DJ as well as stalls selling ethnic goodies and food. Admission is free.
IDP USA Past President and current Vice President Jay Jasbir Singh implored the community and community organizations to support the parade with presence and generous contributions
Giving details of the program at a press conference, IDP USA Vice President and a former President Jay Jasbir Singh disclosed that Consul General Randhir Jaiswal, who had graced the parade curtain raiser at the Indian Consulate on June 24, is Grand Marshall. The other two Grand Marshals are renowned film star Ileana D’Cruz and Philanthropist, Entrepreneur and Life Consultant Dr Jay Sarkar. Deepak Bansal, President of IDP USA, who thanked the IDP USA office bearers and committee chairs for working day in and day out to make preparations for the massive parade, appealed to the gathering at the press conference to loosen their purse strings and bring their families and friends to the Parade to make the parade an event to remember.
IDP USA President Deepak Bansal thanked the IDP USA office bearers and committee chairs for working day in and day out to make preparations for the massive parade.
Mr. Bansal thanked in particular active support and guidance from Jasbir Jay Singh, under whose presidency the parade in 2019 and the gala that followed were the talk of Long Island. He said that the paradethis year is expected to be super-successful, coming as it does afterthe peak of the pandemic.
The parade’s four Guests of Honor are: internationally renowned oncologist and Padma Shri Dr Dattatreyudu Nori, Diwali Foundation USA Chair Ranju Batra, Navika Group CEO and President Naveen Shah and young guru and motivational speaker Ishan Shivanand.
The names of honorees at the parade and at the gala will be announced subsequently, the organizers said.
A highlight of the parade will be a raffle, where the top prize is a car sponsored by DP Singh of Meetu Magic. Other exciting prizes include jewelry, smartphone and cash.
A view of the gathering at the press conference
The parade this year is supported by top brands and names as Grand Sponsors including Phalguni Chintu Patel, Shiv Yog, Navika Group, Bolla Market, The South Asian Times, CheapOair, Patel Brothers, Vass Pipe, The Portables Choice Corp, PICC, Flushing Bank, Maharaja, Badshah, Commercial Capital Funding Group, Elevator the movie, Indian Visa Center, Omni Mortgage, and HAB Bank. Several media organizations are also supporting the parade by promoting it.
IDP USA key officials with a co-founder Bobby Kalotee (Standing 2nd from left)
Addressing the press conference attended by representatives of leading newspapers and electronic media, IDP USA Founders Bobby K. Kalotee and Kamlesh C. Mehta said that this parade is special as it is celebrating India’s landmark 75th Independence Day and that it is timed well as pandemic restrictions have been lifted. It is also the only parade in the entire New York state.
Past President Jay Singh implored the community and community organizations to come one and all to the parade in Hicksville on August 8 and support it by way of taking out floats and booths as well as booking ads in the souvenir which will be released at the gala celebrating the success of the parade at Antun’s by Minar on Thursday August 19, 2021. 30 booths and 9 floats have already been booked.
Dr Jay Sarkar said he is honored to represent India and the community, and that we should thank both India, our motherland, for our heritage and culture, and America, our adopted country, which allows us to practice our traditions and showcase them at an event like this parade.
“IDP USA was established in 2012 to create awareness of Indian contributions to the local community by celebrating India’s Independence Day every year. A 501(c) non-profit tax-exempt organization, its mission is to empower the Indian community through promoting economic development, education, community leadership, social advancement and environmental awareness. The non-partisan and secular IDP USA brings together over 100 religious, cultural, regional, and charity organizations serving the community”, the press release said.
Paris Huang, Voice of America Chinese serviceLisa Mathews, President, National Press ClubMesfin Mekonen, Manager, Reliable Source Bar and GrillMarie Harf, Former US State Department Spokesperson.Lalit Jha, Chief US Correspondent, Press Trust of India.Ranju Batra, Chairperson, Diwali Foundation USA.Ravi Batra, Chairman, National Advisory Council on South Asian Affairs.Nisha Biswal, Former Assistant Secretary, US Department of State.Stephen Mani, First Secretary at Indian Embassy shaking hands with Ravi Batra. Also seen in the picture are Poonam Sharma, Managing Editor of India America Today who emceed the event (second from left) and Ranju Batra (third from left).Colleagues, friends, and admirers of Tejinder Singh.Journalists from New York with Ravi Batra, Ranju Batra and Marie Harf. From L to R: Jay Jasbir Singh, Prof. Indrajit S Saluja, Ranju Batra, Ravi Batra, Marie Harf, Sharanjit Singh Thind, and HP Singh. (Photos : Curtis Jordan for India America Today)
I. S. Saluja
WASHINGTON (TIP): Veteran Indian-origin journalist Tejinder Singh who passed away on May 29 this year was fondly remembered by friends, colleagues and admirers at a well-attended memorial meeting at National Press Club, Washington on July 12. Tejinder Singh was a veteran White House correspondent and founder and editor of the India America Today newswire. He was the Vice-President (Print) for the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA-DC) 2011-12.
Tejinder Singh was born and brought up in the industrial town of Kharagpur, in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal. A veteran multimedia political and business journalist, Tejinder worked as a broadcast journalist with the BBC, South African Broadcasting Corp.,and Flemish-English and Indian networks. He was the editor-in-chief for New Europe, The European Weekly, based in the EU capital of Brussels, Belgium from 1997 – 2009. Tejinder moved to the U.S. in 2009 and founded IAT in 2012.Rich tributes were paid to the ace journalist who was popular and held in esteem by his friends and colleagues.
Speaking on the occasion, Ranju Batra Chairperson, Diwali Foundation USA said:” We are all here to give tribute to a dear friend and a great journalist. I’m glad we could all come together to celebrate his life.
I want to share with you how Tejinder Singh supported me as editor-in-chief of India America Today. Today, nearly 5 years after successfully completing my 7-years long personal journey to get United States Postal Service to issue a Diwali Stamp in 2016, it’s easy to forget that the dream to get one was impossible. As many before me had tried for over 20 years and given up.
During those long years full of hope and despair, when there was “no light at the end of the tunnel,” the media supported me in a big way, as it was a cause dear to everyone’s heart in the US, and over a billion people across the world. Tejinder Singh – a Greek Orthodox – encouraged me as a brother, and was constantly caring, kind and supportive when my Dream seemed impossible – even with support from Congress-members Carolyn Maloney, along with Grace Meng, Eliot Engel and Greg Meeks to name a few.
When the USPS finally agreed to issue the Diwali Stamp, Tejinder was so excited, and he came up to New York for the Dedication of the immortal Forever Diwali Stamp on October 5th, 2016. When he came up he had an additional reason for pride, I had personally sold 170,000 stamps for Day One making Diwali stamp the best seller ever in the USPS’s 200+ years history.
Two months later, when 24 nations at the UN honored my journey, Tejinder Singh was there. When out of that UN event, based upon remarks made by a Deputy Foreign Minister, the Diwali Foundation USA was formed in 2017 and it bestows the “Power of One” Awards for exceptional world class diplomats that honor the ideals of the U.N. Charter enhancing peace & security. And Tejinder Singh was there.
Today, we are in Washington D.C., home of Tejinder Singh’s India America Today in the National Press Club, to pay tribute to him, and his life as a journalist, for he helped make dreams come true. He supported and contributed to causes, with joy and passion. With deep sadness I say We will all miss him.”
Attorney Ravi Batra, Chairman National Advisory Council on South Asian Affairs, a friend to Tejinder, was filled with emotion when he paid his tribute to his friend who he described as “a firebrand of a journalist.” “He was a John Wayne kind of a reporter, with true grit. He was a proud and active member of the National Press Club,” Batra added.
That we are here today paying tribute to Tejinder Singh in the National Press Club, the Cathedral for Free Press, with President Lisa Matthews participating, along with Mesfin Mekonen, Paris Huang, Lalit Jha, my “better half” – a term Tejinder enjoyed using often – Ranju, the ever graceful Marie Harf, A/S Nisha Biswal, the gentlemanly John Kirby, and each of you, including, as a matter of personal privilege, our miracle daughter Angela – a bond Tejinder rejoiced and celebrated – speaks volumes both of how vital Press Freedoms are to Lincoln’s Gettysburg recipe for democracy, and Tejinder Singh’s dedication to journalism and to help form a more perfect nation, and world.
Edward Bulwer-Lytton said, “The pen is mightier than the sword.” Tejinder was a throwback to a mold of journalist-giants whose personal sense of righteousness was their North Star – superbly stated by Gene Kelly, as E. K. Hornbeck, in the legendary movie “Inherit the Wind” that the role of a journalist is: “to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.”
We join in John Kirby’s observation that Tejinder was a gentleman. Tejinder saw the First Amendment as Holy as I do. We talked often. He wanted more, much more of me and Ranju in his professional life, and with the National Press Club. I’m sad I didn’t accept his multi-year desire, as we would have rocked and rolled – from issues national and geopolitical – driven to do right, or to paraphrase my late great friend and supporter, the legendary District Attorney Bob Morgenthau: Fly straight, without fear or favor.
I would often say to Tejinder, that both the Press and the Law seek the truth and abhor a lie – let alone, Big Lies. And that makes us relatives. Just like Spencer Tracy and Gene Kelly were inseparable in “Inherit the wind.” As my friend, the late great NY investigative journalist Wayne Barrett would say to me, the battle between good and evil is perpetual. Our nation is convulsing from within, as exhibited by the Insurrection on January 6th and promoters of Lies for self-gain and self-importance, none more tragic than the resulting fall of America’s mayor Rudy Giuliani for his “trial by combat.” January 6th troubled Tejinder greatly, and which I view as more injurious to our Republic than 9/11.
Our exceptional Founders, less imperfect given our commonplace arrogance today, bequeathed to us the First Amendment as a robust check on power – and Tejinder used it, and in so doing, heeded Ben Franklin’s warning: “It’s a republic madam, if you can keep it.” Tejinder’s life was well spent in keeping our Republic robust and vibrant, willing to look at ourselves honestly and always with the desire to help “form a more perfect union.”
I can cite many examples when things might trouble Tejinder and he would call me – and I would act to remedy the problem. Perhaps, just two examples of last year when I and my family were suffering from Covid19 and I was at death’s door. Two events around that time bothered Tejinder: worshippers in a Gurudwara in Kabul being slaughtered by ISIS, and soon thereafter, the killers of Daniel Pearl were released in Pakistan.
As for Kabul, aware of the global heartburn after Christchurch slaughter of innocent’s worshippers at two Mosques and the resulting billionaire’s family becoming suicide bombers in Sri Lanka to blow up Holy Easter, I felt there needed to be a tempered response – as this was an attack by a terror organization rather than a demented individual Facebooking his New Zealand slaughter for celebrity. So, I wrote an open letter to then-President Trump asking for a response worthy of terror-eradication. Innocent Sikhs are as valuable as innocent Muslims. But as to Daniel Pearl, I knew that the State Department had tried, and still the killers who had video-taped the ghastly killing – as Daniel was Jewish – were released. I then reached out to my friend in London, who is the number one supporter of Pakistan’s P.M. Imran Khan, a nation founded by a lawyer-gentleman Mohammed Ali Jinnah. I argued that Pakistan as a civilized nation cannot tolerate this, and after the Holocaust, we are all Jewish.
I’m delighted to say that Imran Khan filed an appeal and the Killers were re-arrested. The subsequent incomprehensible acquittal by Pakistan’s Supreme Court left us only with an extradition option – and since this was now an inter-governmental decision, I told Tejinder I will only re-engage if Secretary Blinken asked me to. I share this as a tribute to Tejinder – for it was his being upset by these two events that real justice was sought and in fact enhanced.
Two of my defining heroes are Thomas Becket, who chose God over King, and Sir Edmund Burke, who provides a moral imperative in our lives: “all that is necessary for evil to triumph is for some men to do nothing.” My final tribute to Tejinder Singh is that he honored in full measure Sir Edmund Burke’s call to moral righteousness. Tejinder was a good man, who stood tall and fought evil. May his memory be forever Blessed.
So, yes, Tejinder comforted the afflicted, and afflicted the comfortable. I will miss my friend, and his random calls. We will miss Tejinder’s good deeds, his sharing in friendship of human trials and tribulations, and his always reaching for social and political justice, using journalism’s sunshine disinfectant as the pull and push for justice.
Rest In Peace my friend.
The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”
Several others who paid tribute to Tejinder Singh included Lisa Mathews, President National Press Club, Mesfin Mekonen, Manager, Reliable source Bar and Grill, Paris Huang, Voice of America Chinese Service, Lalit Jha, Chief U.S. Correspondent, Press Trust of India (PTI), Marie Harf, former US State Department Spokesperson, and Nisha Biswal, former Assistant secretary, US Department of State.
Stephen Mani, First Secretary, Press, Information and Culture at Embassy of India represented Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu.
Many journalists came from as far as New York. They included The Indian Panorama publisher and chief editor Prof. Indrajit S Saluja, Sharanjit Singh Thind, publisher and chief editor of South Asian Insider, Jay Jasbir Singh, Publisher and chief editor of Hum Hindustani, and H.P. Singh from Parikh Worldwide.
Poonam Sharma, Managing Editor, India America Today, the Master of Ceremonies spoke of carrying forward the legacy of Tejinder Singh, and thanked the guests for their attendance.
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