The Association of Indians in America – New York Chapter (AIA-NY) hosted its inauguration ceremony, welcoming Beena Kothari as the new President along with the Executive Committee. The event, held in New York, saw an attendance of over 150 distinguished guests, including elected officials, community leaders, and media representatives.
The ceremony began with the singing of the American and Indian national anthems by Bina Sabapthy, Jyoti Gupta, and Roopam Maini, followed by a Ganesh Vandana performance by Hamsaasya School of Dance. Harsh Vyas and Jasbir Jay Singh served as the event’s emcees.
In her address, President Kothari emphasized the significance of preserving Indian heritage while fostering integration with mainstream American society. “We are the bridge between our Indian roots and our American dreams,” she stated, calling for greater youth participation in AIA-NY. She outlined plans to encourage young leadership under the organization’s motto, “Indian Heritage and American Commitment.”
The newly appointed AIA-NY Executive Committee includes:
- 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.
Upcoming Initiatives:
- Holi Celebration – March 26, in collaboration with the CUNY Asian American Student Board.
- National AIA Medical Council Awards Gala – May 3, Cipriani 42nd Street, Manhattan.
- Annual Deepavali Fundraising Gala – June 1.
- Desi Next Youth Program – TBD.
- Fundraiser Dinner for AIA’s Project India – July 20.
- AIA-NY Deepavali Festival – October 2025.
Kothari acknowledged the contributions of past presidents, volunteers, and sponsors, highlighting their role in AIA-NY’s continued success. A special plaque was presented to outgoing President Dr. Jagdish Gupta in recognition of his service.
A respected community leader, Kothari has previously served as President of IALI, GOPIO-NY, and the India Day Parade in Long Island. With over 20 years of experience in real estate and a career spanning Fortune 500 companies such as JP Morgan Chase, IBM, Sony, and Time Warner, she brings extensive leadership expertise.
Guided by the ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (The World is One Family), Kothari is dedicated to empowering youth and women while strengthening cultural ties. “My ultimate goal is to contribute meaningfully to the community, spreading love, kindness, and compassion,” she shared.
The event marked the beginning of a new chapter for AIA-NY, with a renewed commitment to cultural preservation and community service.
