The Indian Panorama

Tag: Rita Singh

  • FIA Sets New Benchmark for Cultural Excellence with Grand Republic Day Gala in Chicagoland

    FIA Sets New Benchmark for Cultural Excellence with Grand Republic Day Gala in Chicagoland

    CHICAGO, IL (TIP): The Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) delivered a masterclass in community organization and cultural celebration this past Sunday, hosting a landmark India’s 77th Republic Day Gala at the Matrix Club. The event, held on January 25, 2026, was a powerful demonstration of unity, patriotism, and high-level collaboration, drawing distinguished guests from across the political and corporate spectrum.

    The evening’s success was driven by the strategic vision of the organization’s top executive leadership. Founder President & Chairman Sunil Shah, working in tandem with President Altaf Bukhari and President Richa Chand, orchestrated an event that not only celebrated heritage but also reinforced the FIA’s standing as a pillar of the Illinois community.

    A Convergence of Dignitaries and Stars

    The gala was graced by the legendary Bollywood actress and singer, Ms. Padmini Kolhapure, whose presence added sophisticated elegance to the evening.

    Auspicious beginnings for FIA 2026 Team with Lamp Lighting with FIA Leadership, Consul General Hon. Somnath Ghosh and prominent community leaders.JPG

    The event further solidified FIA’s diplomatic and civic relationships, with key dignitaries in attendance including:

    • Shri Somnath Ghosh, Consulate General of India, Chicago
    • US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi
    • State Representative Stephanie Kifowit
    • Kevin Morrison, Cook County Commissioner
    • Mayor Tom Dailly (Schaumburg), and Mayor Rodney Craig (Hanover Park)
    • FIA Vice Chairman Neil Khot who is running for Congress in 8th
    • FIA Director Raj Pillai running for Will County Treasurer
    • Ajay Gupta, FIA Director running for State Representative in Illinois House District 41 

    Strategic Leadership and Key Addresses

    A highlight of the evening was the address by Founder & Chairman Sunil Shah. Acknowledging the energy of the room, Chairman Sunil Shah remarked: “Despite the bitter cold outside, the warmth of patriotism, unity, and joy has truly filled this venue.” He further outlined the organization’s evolving strategic structure, noting, “This year, due to the sheer size and capability of our team, FIA has appointed two Presidents. This dual-leadership structure is a deliberate move to ensure we keep the bar raised high and deliver excellence in every initiative we undertake.”

    The Legendary Bollywood Actress & Singer Receiving Award from Chairman Sunil Shah, President Altaf Bukhari, President Richa Chand, Past Presidents Rita Singh, Vinita Gulabani, Pratibha Jairath.

    Following this vision, both Presidents delivered impactful remarks. President Altaf Bukhari took the podium to thank the dignitaries and guests for their presence. In a moment of reflection, he expressed his profound pride in the FIA team’s hard work and stated that serving as President of such a dynamic organization is a distinct personal honor.

    President Richa Chand followed with an eloquent and inspiring speech that captivated the audience. She paid tribute to the freedom fighters who fought for Independence, drawing a powerful parallel to the present day. She remarked that anyone today who dedicates themselves to the service of their country or community is performing work no less significant than that of a freedom fighter. Calling for active participation, she stated: “If you belong to that category of individuals driven to serve, FIA is the one-stop shop to channel that passion into action.” She concluded by offering a touching tribute to her family, publicly thanking them for the unwavering support that empowers her to serve the community with such dedication.

    FIA Scholarship 2026 Winners Receiving Award from the Legendary Bollywood Actress & Singer Padmini Kolhapure ji.

    Operational Excellence & Team Synergy

    The leadership of President Altaf Bukhari and President Richa Chand was instrumental in mobilizing a robust support system. Their efforts were bolstered by Immediate Past President Ms. Anu Malhotra, Vice Chairman Mr. Neil Khot, and distinguished past presidents Vinita Gulabani, Pratibha Jairath, Hitesh Gandhi, Mukesh Shah, and Rita Singh. The entire Advisory Board and volunteer corps worked in unison to turn the vision into reality.

    Program Highlights: A Cultural Showcase

    The evening featured seamless stage management and meaningful moments of pride. Highlights included soul stirring renditions of the Indian National Anthem, “Jana Gana Man”, by Ms. Pratibha Jairath and the American National Anthem by Riddhika Gupta.

    L to R-Mayor Tom Dailly, State Representative Stepahanie Kifowit, FIA Chairman Sunil Shah, US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, Consul General Hon. Somnath Ghosh, FIA Vice Chairman Neil Khot, Mayor Rodney Craig.

    Vocal Performances: Outstanding performances were delivered by Mr. Jitendra, Mr. Dharmender Gill, Mr. Shivam Viswanathan, Ms. Manmeet Kaur, Ms. Sargam Kapoor, and a soulful Vande Matram song by Dr. Radhika Chimata.

    Dance Performances: The cultural vibrancy was elevated by energetic showcases led by Asha Mehta, Mona Kapoor, and Minoo Vasudevan.

    Special recognition was given to:

    • Shirlzar Dance Academy: Eli Rodriguez & Shirley Rodriguez and their team presented an inspiring patriotic dance performance.
    • Classical Odyssey: An exceptional dance performance by Dhruvika & Bheeni.

    Community Impact & Scholarship Awards, Launching FIA Scholarship Awards for Students in India also.

    Beyond entertainment, the evening upheld FIA’s commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility. We are immensely proud of the scholarship initiative, supporting deserving students here and extending support to a student in India—a true reflection of FIA’s commitment to education and community upliftment. The FIA distributed scholarships to five deserving students in the US and one from India. The recipients included Ashritha Kukunooru, Pari Jain, Sandeep Pant, Aarush Parikh, and Anika Menta from Chicago, USA and one student, Khushi Makwana from India.

    The Glorious TEAM FIA 2026 Ready to win all challenges together!

    Also, Dr. Vijay Prabhakar, Chairman of Global Eye Magazine, honored Chairman Sunil Shah with a shawl for being a visionary leader and honored Anu Malhotra with the prestigious GLOBAL EYE RATNA SAMMAN AWARD 2026 with a Grand Peacock Medallion and a beautiful shawl, in recognition of her outstanding service to FIA as 2025 President and her selfless efforts toward uplifting humanity.

    Professional Execution & Teams

    The event’s flawless execution was driven by dedicated sub-committees:

    • Emcees: Shivam Viswanathan, Sakshi Sharma, Vinita Gulabani, and Dr. Radhika Chimata.
    • Registration: Led by Dinesh Kapoor with Sujatha Bhardwaj, Atul Wahi, Sujay Shah, Rajeev Ranjan, Sonal Shah, and team.
    • Creative & Media: Shivam Viswanathan.
    • Decor by Vinita Gulabani.
    • Media coverage led by Ajanta Talukdar, Swati Kukian, Manoj Rathod.
    • Technology/Marketing by Shivam Viswanathan.
    • Stage/ Award Management by Sonia Luther, supported by Suparna Dutta and Ajanta Talukdar, Raj Narayan.
    • Production: Sound by DJ Armaan (Saif Ali) and Melody Mahesh Kumar; Visuals by Suresh Bodiwala and Ramesh Punatar.
    • Secretariat: Ms. Kamlesh Kapoor and Mr. Anshul Bindal.
    • Logistics: Special appreciation to USA Cab & Limo and Dharmender Gill (Transportation/Hospitality), Shimla Peppers (Catering), and Beautiful Ideas by Neelam Jai (Wardrobe). Padmini Ji Hair & Makeup by Vinni’s Salon. 

    Sponsors

    The event was made possible through the generous support of: Sponsors: Pinky and Dinesh Thakkar, Shrujal Patel, Anil Loomba HMSI, Dr. Parag Doshi, Ketu Amin Vinakom, Brij Sharma Powervolt, Dr. Bhupinder Beri CROSSROADS Animal Hospital, Dr. Asha & Dr. Anil Oroskar, Dr Gautam Oroskar, & Ami Shah, OROCHEM, Ajeet Singh, MAFS, UMAS, Vaseekaran Janarthanam, Dr Vijay Prabhakar, AMEC Global Eye, Standard Home Care, and Syed Hussaini, Ghoman Group, Manish & Shailaja Gandhi, Medstar, INDIACO, Rely Svcs, Vinni’s Salon, SSS Entertainment, UPA, CORE Exteriors, Standard Homecare, Chicago Import Ashok Punjabi, World’s Money Exchange, Dimple’s Beauty Salon, Vidya Jyoti; Amar Upadhyay & Sanjay Vora representatives from other FIA 

    Closing and Vote of Thanks

    The formal proceedings concluded with a heartfelt Vote of Thanks delivered by the Secretarial Team, Ms. Kamlesh Kapoor and Mr. Anshul Bindal, who expressed gratitude to the sponsors, media, and volunteers for their tireless dedication. The night ended on a festive note with music, a cake-cutting ceremony, and camaraderie as Chairman Sunil Shah, President Altaf Bukhari, and President Richa Chand thanked the community for their unwavering support and reaffirmed the FIA’s promise to continue fostering culture, education, community and unity in the years to come. 

    (Based on a Press release issued by FIA / Suresh Bodiwala. Photographs: Asian Media USA)

  • FIA Hosts a grand India’s Independence Day Gala

    FIA Hosts a grand India’s Independence Day Gala

    Organizers with the Consul General and Neetu Chandra
    A scintillating dance performance (Photographs / Courtesy Asian Media USA)

    CHICAGO, IL (TIP):  Federation of Indian Associations [FIA] hosted a grand glittering 75th Indian Independence Day Gala Banquet marking a dazzling milestone celebration ostensibly enhanced with illuminating traditional,patriotic and contemporary dance presentations depicting the majestic elements and the magnificent soulof India matched only by the inspiring remarks that sparked the patriotic fervor of the enthusiastic guestsin a grand ballroom of the Hoffman Marriot on Friday, August 13, 2021 in Hoffman Estate, Illinois.

    The Independence Day “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” Banquet hosted on an impressive scale filled the GrandBallroom to its full capacity with the patriotic spirit in full enthusiastic display at the celebrationssymbolizing the spirit of India lifted by awe-inspiring remarks from prominent honored guests: ConsulGeneral of India Amit Kumar, U.S.Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, Mayor Rodney Craig, Mayor TomDaily and several other ranking elected officials each heaping praise on the 75th milestonecelebrations. The gala banquet reminisced the golden moments in the history of India and paid richtributes to the vanguard of freedom fighters who accorded the Independence to India. Ms. Neetu Chandra, Bollywood Actress, National Award Winner, International Taekwondo Player graced the occasion as theGrand Marshall to the gala. Angel Tetarbe, World Peace Messenger Los Angeles 2019 and Miss GlamourousWorld India 2017 was also invited to be a part of the Gala.

    The evening gala kicked off with lamp lighting ceremony led by FIA’s Founder Sunil Shah inviting thehonored guest, Honorable Consul General of India, Chicago Mr. Amit Kumar, State Senators CristinaCastro and Laura Murphy , State representative Michelle Mussman and Mayor of Schaumburg Tom Dailly,Village President of Hoffman Estates William McLeod, Mayor of Hanover Park Rodney Craig and VillagePresident of Oak Brook Gopal Lalmalani, Dr. Umang Patel, Dr. Sreenivas Reddy and the FIA’s Founder & Past President Onkar Singh Sangha , President Dr Kamal Patel Advisory Board and Founding Members &Past Presidents Rita Singh, Dhitu Bhagwakar, Mukesh Shah, Neil Khot, Gurmeet Singh, Ninad Daftari andSunny Kular to the dais to mark the auspicious beginning of the evening’s grand celebrations that set-inmotion a series of cultural dance presentations and rousing remarks.

     Consul General of India Mr. Amit Kumar in his address outlined India’s triumphant journey since itsindependence and the rapid strides it is making towards global eminence. Consul General Mr. Amit Kumarthanked the Indian diaspora for playing a significant proactive role as ambassadors in further cementingthe ties between India and the United States and added that the trajectory of Indo-US relations is headingin the upward direction. Consul General Mr. Amit Kumar gave away the awards to several community andbusiness leaders.

    State Senators Cristina Castro and Laura Murphy , State representative Michelle Mussman and Mayor ofSchaumburg Tom Dailly, Village President of Hoffman Estates William McLeod, Mayor of Hanover ParkRodney Craig and Village President of Oak Brook Gopal Lalmalani in their address to the gathering eachpaid glowing tributes to the indomitable and enduring spirit of Indian democracy and the contribution theIndian Diaspora has made in the US and the Indo American relations that have been fast paced andimproved over the years.

    Deepakant Vyas, Dr. Umang Patel, Dr. Sreenivas Reddy, Syed Hussaini, Amarbir & Harry Ghoman, BrijSharma, Asha & Anil Oroskar, Santosh Kumar, Pinky Thakkar, Ajeet Singh, Vijay Prabhakar, Keerthi Reevoriwere recognized presented a plaque by the Consul General Amit Kumar and Ms. Neetu Chandra on behalf of FIA for their service to the community

    Earlier, the evening’s celebrations began with the beautiful rendition of the Indian and American nationalanthem led by Rita Shah & Mir Ali. Bharat Goradia a prominent National Promoter for US tours ofBollywood Personalities was invited to the stage to address the gathering and introduce Ms. NeetuChandra. Students of SR Dance Academy a Founder Member and Past President Rita Singh’s companyprovided dance numbers that enthralled the audience. Beautiful Ideas, a Neelam Saboo conceptshowcased Indian Fashion at the gala with an India themed Fashion Show. The Gala ended with Rita Shah, Mir Ali, Raju Bankapur regaling the audience with foot tapping Bollywood songs to live music.

    (Based on a Press Release by Asian Media USA)