Our Bureau
Chicago, IL
On a radiant spring evening, the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) Chicago brought together families, friends, and community leaders to celebrate a bond that transcends time, borders, and generations, the love of a mother. It was also an event to kick-off the upcoming mega celebrations of India’s Independence Day.
The evening began with a warm meet-and-greet, complete with delectable appetizers and family photo booths where smiles were as abundant as the memories being made. The beautifully lit venue radiated in hues of soft pink and purple, colors that echoed the softness and strength of motherhood, set to the Mother’s Day theme designed and executed by Anu Malhotra (President), Falguni Sukhadia and Leela Patel.
We were honored by the gracious presence of Consul General of India in Chicago, Mr. Somnath Ghosh, Illinois State Senator Laura Murphy, and Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison, each of whom addressed the audience with words that stirred hearts. Mr. Ghosh began by acknowledging the emotional tone of the evening and reflected on the significance of maternal strength, both in our families and in the ongoing resilience of India amidst current global tensions. He said emotionally “I have a message of hope, unity, and cultural pride, urging the community to stand together and uphold the values passed on by our mothers.” Senator Murphy spoke passionately about the nurturing spirit of mothers. Commissioner Kevin Morrison, said “When we talk about character, compassion, and citizenship, we are truly talking about the lessons we’ve learned from our mothers.”
The program commenced with a heartfelt welcome by Richa Chand and Shikha Tandon. Setting a warm and inviting tone for the evening, Rita Shah sang two songs. A soulful prayer song that bathed the room in spiritual grace, followed a timeless melody honoring the selfless love of mothers. Then the stirring address by Founder and Chairman Sunil Shah, whose passion and joy were contagious made the audience emotional with every word he spoke. Sunil Shah reminded us all that mothers are our first teachers and our forever guides. President Anu Malhotra, Past Presidents Vinita Gulabani, Pratibha Jairath added personal reflections on the sacrifices and strength of mothers and reminding everyone of our dual heritage. A tribute performance followed, choreographed by Cultural Secretaries Pika Munshi and Fal Rana, a group dance that paid tribute to motherhood. In a deeply touching segment, Keerthi Reevori invited us to remember the mothers who are no longer with us physically, but who remain ever-present in our hearts. A candle-lighting ceremony, marked by soft silence and shared memories, became a sacred pause.
Exciting announcement by FIA Founder Chairman Sunil Shah stirred the crowd with anticipation, as he unveiled the much-awaited details of FIA Chicago’s upcoming India’s 79th Independence Day Gala, to be held on August 8th, 2025. This year’s celebration, he shared, promises to be one of the grandest yet, headlined by none other than Jatin Pandit, the legendary Bollywood composer and his son Raahul Jatin, who will take the stage with his full band for a nostalgic, soul-stirring musical performance. Ajeet Singh was introduced as the Chair of this banquet and gala. Ajeet Singh’s experience, both as a seasoned community leader and a tireless supporter of cultural Indian causes, will make the evening unforgettable. Neil Khot, whose leadership was warmly acknowledged, was officially invited to once again take the helm, to elevate the upcoming celebrations. Adding to this excitement was announcement by Founder Chairman Sunil Shah of Neil Khot (FIA’s Vice Chairman) as the candidate running for Congressman for 8th district.
A highlight of the evening was the Awards Ceremony, celebrating the lives and legacies of remarkable women in our community. Anu Malhotra (President) said “The unconditional love of a mother and the fierce pride of our motherland is what inspires us to be better human beings and continue contributing to humanity.”. Founder and Chairman Sunil Shah, and President Anu Malhotra welcomed each Ideal Mother to stage: Rita Shah, Vinita Gulabani, Pratibha Jairath, Dr. Sheila Dipak Shah, Anu Malhotra, Richa Chand, Sonia Luther, Purnima Makkar, and Madhu Rohatgi. Each award was presented with a brief, heartfelt introduction, capturing the essence of their journeys and their impact. Adding a poignant touch were the SEWA youth tributes, where children walked on stage with their mothers, offering flowers and words of gratitude; Aarush Upadhyay, Preeti Upadhyay, Jaya Varshini Gudipalli and Venkata Sai Ishaan Gudipalli with Suneetha Gudipalli, Yezdan Akthar with Sanober Jahan. These intergenerational tributes filled the room with joy. The venue, India Hub, was generously provided by Harish Kolasani, whose support ensured not only a seamless experience but also a space that felt intimate, welcoming, and full of cultural pride. When was called upon stage to be honored and speak, he said, why he felt compelled to contribute to this wonderful cause and what India Hub is all about. This was followed by a group dance choreographed by Mrs. Pika Munshi and Fal Rana, both Cultural Secretaries.
As the evening transitioned into music, the emotional current only deepened. Led by Hitesh Master and Band, the musical segment was both celebratory and soothing. Performances by Dr. Radhika Chimata, Sameer Saini, Dr. Sheila Shah, and Sargam Kapoor transported the audience to a place of shared joy and quiet reflection. Duets by Dr. Radhika Chimata, Sameer Saini made everyone leave their chairs and hit the dance floor.
The creative excellence of Warenium Media Services, led by Nilabh Dubey presented a tribute to Mothers. With poignant visuals, and moving background scores, promo video for the upcoming Jatin Pandit Independence Day Concert on India’s Independence Day was launched. The video which was a cinematic expression of love and legacy of mothers, including the timeless melodies that unite us by Jatin Pandit.
Behind the unforgettable evening were countless hands, minds, and hearts that brought this vision to life. Every detail, every smile, every tearful tribute was the result of extraordinary collaboration. The soul of the event was beautifully captured through the lenses of Ramesh Punatar and Jayanti Oza, whose photography didn’t just document the evening, it told a story of emotion. Falguni Sukhadia (Secretary) and Leela Patel (Public Relations), meticulously curated the awards segment, ensuring each honoree felt seen, celebrated, and cherished. A heartfelt thank you to Tasty Bites USA, whose catering added warmth and comfort to the evening. More than eighteen SEWA children volunteered and managed the Helpdesk and Registration. Thank you Nagesh Rai for your excellent SEWA Team.
The Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) of Chicago is a premier non-profit organization uniting over 300,000 vibrant and culturally diverse Asian-Indians across the Chicagoland and Midwest regions. FIA Chicago serves as the connective thread for the community, bridging local, state, and national fronts, and fostering strong ties between the USA and the Indian Government. Visit its website for more details.
Happy Mother’s Day, To the Women Who Nurture Us, and the Land That Gave Us Our Identity.
What an Amazing event of our FIA team at the last weekend. With the leadership of Sunil Shah and our President Anu Malhotra and the entire team !I am so grateful to be a part of such an amazing organization.