Our Bureau
Long Island, NY
The India Association of Long Island’s Annual Awards Gala Dinner, held on Friday, November 15, 2024, at Antun’s by Minar in Hicksville, NY, was a grand celebration of community, culture, and excellence.
The program began with a heartfelt rendition of the U.S. and Indian National Anthems by Karishma Pahuja, granddaughter of Past President Dr. Pahuja, creating a patriotic and unifying atmosphere. This was followed by a soulful Ganesh Vandana by Esha Misra and an enthralling dance performance by Maheshwari.
Vice President Mr. Sushil Khanna welcomed the Master of Ceremonies, Past President and Gala Co-chair Dr. Sunil Mehra, who eloquently spoke about IALI’s rich history and its legacy of fostering cultural pride and community service.
IALI President Pradeep Tandon delivered an inspiring speech highlighting the association’s achievements throughout the year. He reflected on events such as Holi, Diwali, Republic Day, Independence Day, and the annual picnic, which celebrated the vibrancy of Indian heritage. President Tandon also detailed significant upgrades to the IALI Center, including new lighting, a renovated kitchen, expanded spaces, and other enhancements, creating a more welcoming and functional community hub.
Gala Chair Mr. Mukesh Modi, an acclaimed filmmaker and Dadasaheb Phalke Award recipient, expressed heartfelt gratitude and shared his dedication to making the gala an exceptional success.
A highlight of the evening was the honoring of this year’s awardees—Dr. Dipak Nandi, Ms. Kalpana Patel, Ms. Anuradha Kumar, and Dr. Jyoti Chakote—for their outstanding contributions to medicine, business, and community service. Their achievements were celebrated as a source of inspiration for the community.
Prominent dignitaries included Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena and Town Clerk Ragini Srivastava, who addressed the attendees and presented citations to the honorees, commending their extraordinary accomplishments. Additional distinguished guests included Mr. Naqvi, Executive Director of Asian Affairs, representing County Executive Bruce Blakeman; Zahid Syed, Executive Director of Community Affairs, representing Town of Hempstead Supervisor Don Clavin; and Ms. Wazma Hassan, representing Congressman Tom Suozzi, who brought citations for the honorees. Dr. Bobby Kalote, Chairman of the Human Rights Commission, Presidents of IDP, Mr. Deepak Bansal and Mr. Vimal Goyal, and Mr. Jay Singh CEO and Chief Editor of Hum Hindustani were also among the esteemed attendees.
The event also welcomed several past presidents of IALI, whose presence underscored the legacy of leadership and community-building that continues to inspire the organization’s work.
An exciting raffle added to the evening’s festivities, with the grand prize—a dazzling diamond ring generously donated by Mr. Mukesh Modi—won by Dr. Sharwan Bagla.
The evening concluded with a sumptuous dinner and dancing, with DJ Manik Malhotra keeping the energy high on the dance floor.
This Annual Awards Gala exemplified IALI’s dedication to honoring excellence, fostering unity, and preserving Indian culture. It reaffirmed the association’s vital role as a cornerstone of the Indian American community, inspiring pride and enrichment for generations to come.
