Richa Chand & Abir Maru
Chicago, IL
It’s a New Year for all and a new era, “Amrit Kaal” for all Indians & Indian Diaspora proclaimed by Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi..and it’s also women empowerment time in FIA-Chicago, where President 2023 Mrs Vinita Gulabani, along with Chairman and Founder President Mr Sunil Shah paved the way for a wonderful beginning of the year, creating a golden benchmark with their first FIA-Chicago Event for the year 2023, which was nothing short of a Bedazzling, Enthralling, Grand, Royal celebrations for India’s 74th Republic Day, fit to honor motherland India’s glorious rich history and current advances as an emerging global power! FIA Chicago hosted the 74th Republic Day, on Jan 29th 2023 at Chicago Marriott Northwest, Hoffman Estates, IL.
About 400 plus guests attended this most happening, most mesmerizing event of the year so far! And FIA Chicago is indebted by the generosity of the Grand Sponsors of the Event, the famous Ghoman Brothers, Amarbir Singh Ghoman and Harsharan Singh Ghoman, the proud owners of Chicago Marriott Northwest, IL, who welcomed Team FIA and all the guests with open arms and left no stone unturned in their warm hospitality. Another Grand Sponsor of the event, Mr Chintan Patel, owner INDIACO greatly supported the event and FIA-Chicago greatly appreciated their generosity.
The event was well attended by dignitaries: Chief Guest, Consul General Chicago Hon.Somnath Ghosh; Guest of Honor, U.S. Representative for Illinois’s 8th congressional district Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi; other special guests Michelle Mussman, State Representatives of the 56th district; Tom Dailly, President Schaumburg Village; William Duncan McLeod,Mayor of Hoffman Estates, IL; Rodney S. Craig, Mayor & President- Hanover Park, IL; Gopal Lalmalani, Mayor & President- Oakbrook, IL; and Dr. Suresh Reddy, Trustee Oakbrook Village among others.
The evening started with a social hour with Raju Bankapur playing melodious tunes enthralling the audience with nationalistic fervor organized by Anu Malhotra.
Shah welcomed and thanked everyone for their presence. He outlined the important achievements and community service that the FIA provides.
Sunil Shah then invited Past President Rita Singh to host the next segment. Rita Singh invited Current President Vinita Gulabani on stage, Vinita spoke of the pride that Indians exude all over the world. She spoke of the institutions that keep India safe and the population can live without fear in the country. She spoke of the progress the country has made over the years, whether it’s the local Indian populace in India or people who left the country and made other countries home.
Guest of Honor, U.S. Representative for Illinois’s 8th Congressional District, Hon. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, then took the stage and in his inimitable style addressed the gathering.
The main highlight of the event was the FIA’s Annual Scholarship Program, where in 5 meritorious needy students were selected to receive the scholarship award of $1000 each, selected by an independent academician Scholarship Judge, not affiliated with FIA-Chicago, Mr Kiran Palla, founder and Chairman of AVS Academy and a recipient of United States Presidential Service Award.
The emcees for the gala entertainment section were Richa Chand, Suchitra Kukreja.
