UNIONDALE, NY (TIP): The India Association of Long Island (IALI) celebrated its 47th Annual Gala on Friday, July 18, at the prestigious Long Island Marriott in Uniondale. It was an elegant black-tie affair, with Long Island’s most prominent leaders and community members in attendance, and the impeccably dressed guests who added glamour to the evening.
The night honored three extraordinary business leaders who have significantly impacted their industries and the Indian-American community:
- Chintu Patel, Co-Founder of Amneal Pharmaceuticals
- Harry Singh, Founder of Bolla Oil Corp.
- Naveen Shah, Founder of Navika Capital
The evening commenced with a warm welcome from Amita Karwal, IALI’s Cultural Chair, who invited Shashi Malik, Gala Chair, to the stage. Shashi introduced Jasbir Jay Singh, President of IALI, who received a standing ovation from the audience. In his inspiring address, President Singh thanked the 3 Officers, Executive Committee, ad Hoc Committees, the foundation & pillars of organization who are the Past Presidents, sponsors, elected officials, and the honorees. Jay mentioned the humbleness of all three honorees. He also shared updates on IALI’s ongoing initiatives, including an exciting presentation on the proposed IALI Community Center building project.
The gala featured a panel discussion with the honorees, providing valuable insights into their journeys of success, resilience, and philanthropy. The discussion was both engaging and inspiring, drawing enthusiastic applause from the audience.
The evening also recognized the invaluable contributions of numerous sponsors and community leaders, including Kanak Golia, Ravi Chopra, Anil Jain, and Sunil Jain, among many others.
Guests enjoyed a sumptuous dinner and cocktail reception catered by Mint Restaurant, known for its exquisite Indian cuisine, which was a highlight of the evening.
With over 3,000 members and a rich legacy of 46 years, IALI continues to be a cornerstone of the Indian-American community on Long Island, promoting cultural heritage, service, and unity. Its Officers for this year are Ravindra Kumar as VP, Hargovind Gupta as Secretary & Sujata Seth as Treasurer. The Executive Committee consists of a very hard-working team including Dr. Abha Bhatnagar, Amita Karwal, Ashwani K. Sharma, Deepak Bansal, Mohan Sharma, Munish Byala, Dr. Neeru Bhambri, Renu Kapoor, Sanju Sharma, Shashi Goyal & Vinod Goyal. The Gala Committee consisted of Shashi Malik & Bhavna Sharma.
The Indian Panorama Editor, Prof. Indrajit Saluja, spoke with the honorees to know how they felt on being honored, about their entrepreneurial journey hitherto, their future goals, and their views on giving back to society.
Each honoree was interviewed separately.
Here are excerpts from the conversation with Mr. Chintu Patel.
Interviewer:
Chintuji, congratulations on being honored as a successful and eminent entrepreneur! This recognition, regardless of what it’s formally called, is a significant achievement. How do you feel about receiving it at this stage in your life?
Chintu Patel:
Thank you. I feel truly honored. It’s always a good feeling when the community acknowledges your work. But more than the award itself, what excites me the most is the possibility of inspiring the younger generation—especially aspiring entrepreneurs—to take risks and pursue their dreams. If my journey can encourage even a few young minds in our Indian community, then that, to me, is the true reward.
Interviewer:
So, do you see yourself as a role model for them?
Chintu Patel:
Absolutely, yes.
Interviewer:
How long did it take you to reach this pinnacle in your career?
Chintu Patel:
I started my business when I was quite young—just 31 years old. That was in late 2002. So it’s been a journey of about 24 years now. It’s been an incredible experience full of challenges, growth, and learning.
Interviewer:
What was your financial situation when you started out?
Chintu Patel:
I came from a very average, middle-class background. I was a pharmacist by profession and didn’t have much money. A few friends and I started the business with just $200,000. Today, we are the third-largest affordable pharmaceutical company in the United States. It was a humble beginning, but through persistence and vision, we kept growing.
Interviewer:
That’s remarkable. What kind of pharmaceuticals do you manufacture, and what is your current turnover?
Chintu Patel:
We manufacture around 300 different prescription drugs. Our current revenue stands at approximately $3 billion. We are a global player and a publicly listed company, so all financials are publicly available. It’s been a substantial journey.
Interviewer:
What inspired you to start this business?
Chintu Patel:
As a pharmacist, I saw a major gap in access to affordable medicine. Many patients couldn’t afford their prescriptions. I remember seniors who had to choose between buying food and paying for their medication. On average, a senior takes about eight prescription drugs a month—at a $50 co-pay, that’s a lot. That reality motivated me. I wanted to do something that could benefit society. The generic pharmaceutical industry has played a critical role in making healthcare more affordable—saving the system trillions of dollars. Today, many prescriptions cost just $2 to $5. That’s the impact I wanted to create. Starting this business became my way of contributing meaningfully.
Interviewer:
That’s wonderful. Let me shift gears a little. You spoke about providing affordable generic drugs. What is your view on the current tensions between the U.S. and India, especially with talk of tariffs on pharmaceuticals?
Chintu Patel:
Yes, the talk around tariffs is a matter of concern for the entire generic industry, which is highly competitive. Tariffs could disrupt supply chains and potentially lead to shortages. While we do have significant manufacturing capacity here in New Jersey and New York, a portion of our operations—about 40%—are based in India, with the remaining 60% here in the U.S. So yes, any policy shifts could impact us.
However, we are looking beyond the immediate business impact. Our focus is also on the bigger picture—ensuring the security of the U.S. drug supply chain, especially for essential medicines and antibiotics. While tariffs may affect financials and lead to some price adjustments in the market, we’re more focused on solutions and long-term sustainability.
Interviewer:
Thank you for that insight. Finally, what message would you like to give to young people—those you hope to inspire as a role model?
Chintu Patel:
My message is clear: take risks. Don’t overanalyze or wait for the perfect moment—because overthinking often leads to inaction. Besides technical skills, qualities like discipline, hard work, and a sense of purpose are equally important. Keep your goals simple and clear. Don’t wait endlessly—just start. If you keep delaying, you’ll never get moving. So go out there and begin your journey.
Interviewer:
Thank you so much, Mr. Patel, for sharing your inspiring story and vision.
The next to be interviewed was Mr. Naveen Shah. Here are the excerpts of the conversation.
Interviewer
Mr. Shah, congratulations on receiving this prestigious award recognizing your entrepreneurial achievements! How do you feel about the honor?
Naveen Shah
Thank you. I feel truly honored and privileged. What makes this recognition especially meaningful is that, for the first time, the India Association of Long Island is not awarding individuals per se, but instead acknowledging entrepreneurship itself by recognizing three well-established and respected organizations: Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Bucha Oils, and our own Navika Group of Companies.
These organizations have made a mark not only within the Indian-American community but across the broader American business landscape. I’m thrilled that the India Association has taken this approach—honoring not just the faces at the top, but all the people who lead and represent these companies. I want to thank the IALI President and the entire committee for this thoughtful initiative. It’s their effort that makes this recognition so special, and that’s why I’m here tonight—to be part of this celebration.
Interviewer
That’s wonderful to hear. Mr. Shah, I’d love to know—how long did it take you to reach this level of success?
Naveen Shah:
I’ve been in the United States for 43 years now. I began my professional journey by completing my CPA and starting an accounting practice, which I ran for 24 years. But over time, I realized I was essentially selling my time and skills to my clients.
At some point, I asked myself—why not become a client instead of just serving one? That thought became the turning point. In 2005, I decided to take a new direction and ventured into commercial real estate. That’s how Navika Group was born. It’s now been 20 years since we started, and today we own and manage 73 hotels, along with numerous office buildings, shopping centers, golf courses, and multi-family properties.
What truly strengthens us is our team. As we build stronger teams, we build a stronger company. I take great pride in that.
Interviewer
That’s an incredible journey. I assume you must have a long-term vision for the future?
Naveen Shah:
Absolutely. The goal isn’t just to build a successful business—it’s to build a legacy. Organizations should be created not with a fixed timeline in mind, but with the idea of enduring value.
Our vision is to establish and sustain this legacy so that future generations can carry it forward. We want them to take this foundation and reach even greater heights, to continue growing and evolving the company long after we are gone.
Interviewer
So, from what you’ve said, it took nearly 20 years—from 2005 until now—to build what you have. Would it be fair to call this a business empire?
Naveen Shah:
I wouldn’t use the word “empire.” No matter how large or successful a business becomes, it’s always a work in progress. There is always room to grow, to innovate, and to make meaningful contributions.
For us, it’s about continuing the journey—constantly enhancing the value of our company and the lives of the people who work with us. That’s the real source of pride.
Interviewer
And speaking of that prosperity—yours and that of your company—how do you think such success should be shared with those less fortunate in the community?
Naveen Shah:
To me, this prosperity isn’t just mine, and it isn’t just the company’s—it belongs to the community. Our success is a direct result of the people who work with us. We employ thousands of individuals across our businesses, and their personal growth and achievements directly contribute to the progress of our company.
So when we talk about prosperity, we must remember it’s communal in nature. Our responsibility is to continue creating opportunities, supporting those around us, and contributing positively to society. That’s how prosperity should be shared—with purpose and intention.
Interviewer
Thank you very much, Mr. Shah, for sharing your story and your insights with The Indian Panorama. Congratulations again!
Mr. Harry Singh Bolla was a little difficult to get to speak. But he finally agreed to share his thoughts. Here are the excerpts.
Interviewer
Congratulations, Mr. Bolla, on receiving this prestigious entrepreneurial award. I understand this is the first time an organization has chosen to honor individual entrepreneurs, rather than corporations or institutions. And when I asked around about the selection made by the India Association of Long Island (IALI), I was told it couldn’t have been better—your name, along with Chintu Patel and Mr. Naveen Shah, came up repeatedly. I’ve just spoken with both of them. Now I want to ask you a couple of questions. First, knowing that you generally don’t accept awards, how do you feel about receiving this one?
Harry Singh Bolla:
In the past, I’ve been invited to several community events where people wanted to honor me for the success I’ve achieved in this country—success that some have called exemplary.
But I’ve always been hesitant to take the stage. Many times, I’ve seen events where people are recognized not necessarily because they deserve it, but for other reasons. I’ve always had strong views about who should be given such recognition.
So, this award means something different. It’s encouraging to see entrepreneurs being acknowledged, people who have genuinely built something and who are willing to share their stories. Yet even now, I firmly believe that awards should primarily go to people who serve the community selflessly—those who work for others not for recognition or financial gain, but out of true commitment to seva.
That said, I’m honored and grateful. I’m looking forward to being in front of the community and our distinguished guests tonight. For me, this isn’t just a personal moment—it’s about celebrating the broader success of our Indian American community.
Look at where we are today. Indian Americans—whether professionals, doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs, or journalists—have excelled across the board. But along with our personal and professional achievements comes a larger civic responsibility. We live in a country that has given us immense opportunity—more than we often acknowledge.
I always remind people: Sikhs are just 2% of India’s population, and in the U.S., we’re less than a tenth of a percent. And yet, we have thrived here. That’s a testament to the opportunity America offers. And we must never forget to be grateful for that.
While tonight is a celebration of entrepreneurial success, I hope the larger takeaway is about our shared duty to give back—to our local civic life, to our neighborhoods, to the communities that allowed us to flourish. There are people here living on the streets, struggling to survive. If we, as successful South Asians, do not extend our hand, then who will?
We often hear that Indian households have the highest median income in America. But with that comes the obligation to serve, to uplift others. That’s the spirit I believe should define events like tonight’s. People should leave here inspired not just to be successful, but to be compassionate and giving.
Interviewer
So, if I may summarize—being successful and wealthy is important, but it must go hand in hand with a deep sense of social responsibility?
Harry Singh Bolla:
Exactly. Success without service is hollow. If you’ve come from humble beginnings, as many of us have—from small villages, small towns—and you’ve built something extraordinary, it’s essential to give back.
It doesn’t have to be grand. Just be humble, just share. I learned this from my parents. They always said that giving is one of the most fulfilling acts. Give your time, your resources, your love. Help others grow. That’s how we become a better people, a better community—and better Americans.
Interviewer
You’ve certainly given back a lot. That’s why people admire and love you.
Harry Singh Bolla:
Thank you. I try my best. But honestly, I never think it’s enough. I share what I can. I am first and foremost a proud American—then a proud Punjabi, and then a proud Indian.
Interviewer
And I know how deeply you cherish Sikh values.
Harry Singh Bolla:
Absolutely. Sikhism is the foundation of who I am. I was born and raised in a gurdwara. My parents taught me everything—how to give, how to fear God, how to be humble, respectful to the young and the old, to men and women alike, to people of all faiths. Sikhism is a universal faith.
People sometimes forget that. But at its heart, it’s about standing for others. We are born warriors—warriors for righteousness, justice, compassion. That’s our legacy, and we must never abandon it. We stand for the oppressed, for the innocent. That’s our pride. May God continue to bless us.
Interviewer
One final question. You’ve reached such heights from humble beginnings. What is your message to the younger generation?
Harry Singh Bolla:
My message to the youth is simple: Be good Americans. Learn from the opportunities this country provides, and then give back—to your community here, and to the one you came from.
Be proud of who you are, whether that’s being an Indian, a Punjabi, a Sikh—or whatever your identity may be. But never forget your civic duties. Be humble. Be generous. Be kind. And above all, be helpful. Never lose yourself in ego or success.
If you remember to serve others, you will not only grow, but you will help others grow with you. That is true success.
Interviewer
Thank you very much, Mr. Bolla, and congratulations once again. I am honored to have spoken with you on behalf of The Indian Panorama.