FIA-Chicago hosts grand Republic Day dinner

CHICAGO: The Federation of Indian Associations-Chicago (FIA) hosted a festive gala banquet to celebrate the 60th year of India's Republic Day with unity and spirit of patriotism. The event was held at India House Banquets in Schaumburg last week amidst galore of political and social dignitaries.

Buoyed by the huge attendance, the fervor of the evening's Republic Day celebrations was further enhanced with the patriotic orations, dazzling dance presentations, melodious musical selections with the entire event enveloped in gala festive spirit.

Congresswoman Melissa Bean of 8th congressional district in Illinois set the tone for the evening by commending India's republic and India's abiding commitment to a democratic way of life.

She congratulated FIA leaders for hosting a commendable event to mark this significant date in Indian democratic history. Congresswoman Melissa Bean was earlier introduced by Keerthi Kumar Ravoori as an outstanding friend of the Indian American community and for supporting the congressional legislations that seek to help the causes that are important to the Indian Americans.

Iftekhar Shareef,  the Event Chairman and FIA Trustee chair, in his remarks, welcomed the guests and thanked them for their overwhelming attendance which he added represents the abundant patriotic spirit of the Indian Americans.

Iftekhar Shareef commended the adopted country - the United States of America for granting each of its citizens and their residents such a great democratic privilege to unrestrictedly celebrate Indian Republic Day - which he added is truly heart warming. He was profuse in his homage to India's freedom fighters for their sacrifice which led to attainment of freedom and subsequently the republic of the nation.

Iftekhar Shareef also hailed India's majority Hindu electorate for their magnanimous spirit of electing first the minority Muslim President Sri. Abdul Kalam and now V.P of India Ansari followed by a minority Sikh Prime Minister Sri. Manmohan Singh and a Catholic Christian Madam Sonia Gandhi who are currently at the helm of India's democratic leadership hierarchy.

 Shareef emphatically attributed the warm spirited Hindu electorate for their liberal, secular democratic spirit. Remembering the earthquake victims in Haiti, Iftekhar Shareef stressed that Indian community will draw a long term plan to host an event to raise funds for rehabilitation of the victims devastated by the earthquake. 

Satish 'Sunny' Ghabawala, the Event Convener and interim President, in his remarks extolled the enduring democratic way of life in India and eloquently recalled the golden moments in history when India attained freedom from colonial rule over six decades ago and that which culminated into a sovereign democratic republic of India with constitution to guide its destiny. 

Ghabawala thanked the guests, board members and the trustees for their valuable partnership in making the event "so tremendously successful".   As an interim President, Satish Ghabawala, outlined the plans for a colorful India Independence Day parade in August 2010 and announced a series of plans and initiatives to host a memorable India Independence Day celebrations in the summer of 2010. 

 He reminded the critics that any efforts to create disunity in the Indian community will only strengthen the collective resolve to stay tenaciously united and therefore, urged all FIA members to strive for unity.  He thanked the FIA board members Subhash Bhatt, Mrs. Anupama Dharkar, Sher Mohammed Rajput, Dr. Indrajit Patel, Ashfaq Sharief, Sunil Shah, Onkar Sangha, Ajai Agnihotri, Arvind Joshi and Shahid Rizvi for their important contribution.

He strongly pitched for ending rift within the organization and observed that "our roots are the same and FIA would be there while individuals could come and go." He pleaded for united action as otherwise this umbrella organization would approve less effective in implementing its avowed objectives and goals.

Niranajan Shah, one of the foremost community leaders and FIA Trustee in his brief address also pitched for untied endeavors on the part of FIA members and specifically mentioned that Sunil Shah and others who waged elections for the FIA office bearers need to be complemented for upholding democratic traditions in contesting elections. Sohan Joshi in his brief address also talked about strong FIA roots in the community.

Interestingly, a group of FIA office bearers led by Sunil Shah secretary,  Shahid Rizvi Joint Secretary,  and Omkar Sangha Vice President, who had grievances against the newly elect team for their alleged unfair election practices were present and attended the dinner. Sunil Shah in a talk to this paper said that they share FIA ideals and that FIA should be above personal politics.

Several of the FIA Trustees including Kanti Patel, Prahlad Patil, Anil Pillai, Niranjan Shah, Iftekhar Shareef, Sohan Joshi, Sitaram Patel, Dr. Dilip Dharkar, and Hetal Patel were invited on the stage to be applauded for their steadfast support and leadership. Also, recognized were the principal sponsors and business leaders including Dr Ram Gajjella, president Indo-American Democratic Organization, Jude Cresto, General Manager of Air-India, Varghese Chacko, President of All American Bank and Rohit Maniar, Vice President of The National Republic Bank of Chicago and the representative of new bank United Central Bank previous owners of Mutual Bank. Keerthi Ravoori was Master of the ceremony

As a mark of tradition on this occasion, Ramesh Soparawala, a prolific journalist from the Indian community was honored for his distinguished journalism. The award was presented by Niranjan  Shah & Michael Alvarez, Democratic candidate for the Water Reclamation District of Chicago - who was earlier introduced to the audience by Hetal Patel, FIA Trustee.

The highlights of the evening was Rahul Singh & Noman Khan and company with their impromptu dancing and singing medleys that was augmented by his troupe belting out colorful dance presentations and melodious singing of Jyothi and Hussain.

India Post News Service