CHICAGO: The controversy surrounding Rakhi Sawant costume and performances apart, FIA’s phenomenal community outreach efforts were a big factor in inducing Dr. Deepak Kant Vyas, President of Reberri, to announce partnering with this umbrella organization to launch scholarships in the near future.
While addressing the FIA’s Indian Independence Day festival in Wheaton last week, Dr Vyas, Chief Guest of the event, expressed his satisfaction on the pioneering works of FIA and as a token of appreciation he announced his decision.
According to Sunil Shah, FIA’s Founder President, FIA has evolved as an alter ego of the Indian community, promoting all the cultures of India.
Concurring with Shah, Dhitu Bhagwakar, FIA’s President, stated that FIA has celebrated Diwali and Eid, organized events for Republic Day and Independence Day, mobilized news media for the protection of a Sikh brother, participated in a rally to launch a governmental investigation for a Christian youth who was murdered a year ago.
At the Sunday event, FIA collected funds for a Hindu lady – Shivani Degner – married to a Caucasian whose house got burnt down.
The six-hour program captivated hundreds of people with the performances of numerous artists – locals like Ashley Singh to Bollywood’s Seven Stars Band, appearances of elected officials and consular officers, and recognition of community leaders and sponsors.
Certainly, one of the main highlights was the mesmerizing performance of Rakhi Sawant, a renowned Bollywood star.
Prominent among political figures and community leaders attending the event were Raja Krishnamoorti, Frank Avila, Liz Chaplin, Christina Castro, Syed Hussaini, Asha Oroskar, Brij Sharma, Santosh Kumar, Manish Gandhi, Neal Patel, Aishwarya Sharma.
The FIA board members are :Onkar Singh Sangha, Rita Singh, Mukesh Shah, Neil Khot, Payal Shah, Hitesh Gandhi, KhajaMoinuddin, ManjeetBhalla, Ali Khan, ShaliniSaxena, ShitalDaftari, Nirav Shah, NinadDaftari, Mona Bhalla, Shree Gurusamy, Deepali Aul, Kanan Desai, Subash George, Ila Patel Chaudhary, Jaimini Patel, Sunny Kular and Monty Saiyed.
The main sponsors of the event among others were Wintrust Bank, Patel Brothers, Desi Junction, Dimple’s Salon, Makkah Printing, Bamboo Garden, Inch/n’s.
Moon Khan
