Our Bureau
Washington, DC
The Indian-American Committee, in partnership with more than 40 Indian-American organizations from across the United States, hosted a historic celebration commemorating America’s 250th Anniversary at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. The landmark event brought together Members of Congress, diplomats, senior government officials, business leaders, physicians, veterans, academicians, and community leaders to celebrate America’s enduring values of freedom, democracy, opportunity, and the extraordinary contributions of the Indian-American community.
Event Highlights
- More than 40 Indian-American organizations united under one platform.
- Celebrated America’s 250th Anniversary at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C.
- Special messages from Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, and U.S. Senator Steve Daines.
- Attendance by Members of Congress, senior U.S. government officials, ambassadors, business executives, physicians, veterans, and community leaders.
- Cultural performances by Grammy Award-winning Falu Shah, Penn Masala, and a vibrant Bhangra dance troupe.
- A renewed commitment to building one united voice for the Indian-American community.
The celebration commenced with a stirring rendition of the United States National Anthem by Medha Shanbhag, setting a patriotic tone for an evening dedicated to honoring America’s founding ideals and recognizing the growing role of Indian Americans in shaping the nation’s future.
The audience received inspiring video messages from Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Founder of the Art of Living Foundation, and Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, both emphasizing the importance of unity, service, and responsible citizenship. A special congratulatory message from U.S. Senator Steve Daines recognized the outstanding contributions of the Indian-American community and commended the organizers for bringing together organizations from across the country to celebrate this historic milestone.
Distinguished Guests
The celebration was attended by numerous distinguished leaders from government, business, healthcare, academia, defense, and public service, including:
Members of Congress
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (Congressional Co-Chair of the celebration)
Congressman Shri Thanedar
Government and Public Service
Uttam Dhillon, Former Acting Administrator of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and former Deputy Counsel and Deputy Assistant to President Donald Trump
Arjun Mody, Deputy Commissioner, Social Security Administration
Ashok Pinto, Senior technology executive who has served in leadership positions supporting the White House and the U.S. Congress
National Security and Aerospace
Dr. Michael D. Griffin, Former NASA Administrator
Dr. Vivek Lall, Global Aerospace Leader
Healthcare
Dr. Dattatreyudu Nori, internationally renowned oncologist and recipient of the American Cancer Society’s prestigious Tribute to Life Award
Dr. Meher Medavaram, President, American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI)
Business and Academia
Rahul Patel, Chairman, Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA)
Prof. Rajendra Srivastava, internationally recognized academic and business leader
Veterans
Chris Aryan, Founder and President, Indian American Veterans Association
Arun Ayyagari, U.S. Air Force Auxiliary Pilot
In addition, many other distinguished leaders from across the United States participated in the celebration.
Throughout the evening, speakers reflected on the unparalleled opportunities America has provided to immigrants and highlighted the extraordinary achievements of Indian Americans in strengthening the nation’s economy, healthcare, innovation, technology, education, entrepreneurship, national security, public service, and philanthropy.
A special highlight of the evening was the participation of more than fifteen serving and former Ambassadors and senior diplomats, coordinated by Ambassador Pradeep Kapur, further underscoring the international significance of the celebration.
Leadership Messages
Ramesh Viswanath Kapur, Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Indian-American Committee, addressed the challenges facing the Indian-American community and emphasized the need to build a stronger and more positive public image. He announced plans to engage a professional public relations firm to promote the many contributions of Indian Americans through mainstream and digital media, helping create a more accurate and positive narrative for the community.
Dr. Suvas Desai, Co-Founder of the Indian-American Committee, spoke passionately about the importance of bringing Indian-American organizations together under one umbrella to create a unified voice capable of effectively advocating for the interests of the community and strengthening its engagement with policymakers on Capitol Hill.
Narsimha Koppula and Deepak Raj, Co-Chairs of the celebration, reaffirmed the Committee’s commitment to fostering greater collaboration among Indian-American organizations nationwide. They emphasized that by working together with a common purpose, the community can build a stronger collective voice, expand its civic engagement, and create lasting opportunities for future generations.
Rajender Dichpally, Secretary of the Indian-American Committee, highlighted the remarkable contributions Indian Americans have made to the United States in medicine, technology, business, education, entrepreneurship, scientific research, defense, public service, and philanthropy. He emphasized that the celebration was not only a tribute to America’s 250-year journey but also an opportunity to recognize the vital role Indian Americans continue to play in shaping the nation’s future.
Cultural Celebration
The celebration featured outstanding performances by Grammy Award-winning Falu Shah and her ensemble, the internationally acclaimed Penn Masala, and a vibrant Bhangra dance troupe, showcasing the rich cultural heritage that Indian Americans proudly contribute to the fabric of American society.
The program was expertly emceed by Priya Samant and Anju Preet Poddar. Alok Srivastava coordinated the participation of local organizations in the Washington, D.C. area, while Manish Sood of Intense Entertainment served as the Event Manager, successfully overseeing the production and logistics of the celebration.
A Historic Milestone
The America 250 celebration served as a powerful reminder that Indian Americans are an integral part of the American story. By bringing together organizations representing diverse regions, languages, faiths, professions, and generations, the event demonstrated the strength that comes from unity and collaboration.
This historic celebration is believed to be one of the first major Indian-American community-led events in the nation’s capital commemorating America’s 250th Anniversary. The participation of more than 40 Indian-American organizations under a single platform reflected the growing unity, influence, and civic engagement of the community. Organizers described the event as a milestone in building a stronger, more coordinated Indian-American voice that can effectively represent the community’s interests while continuing to contribute to the progress and prosperity of the United States.
The Indian-American Committee reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration among Indian-American organizations nationwide and creating a lasting umbrella platform that promotes unity, leadership, public service, and active participation in American civic life.
Statement from the Indian-American Committee
“America has given our community extraordinary opportunities to grow, contribute, and succeed. As we celebrate 250 years of American independence, we also celebrate the responsibility of Indian Americans to give back, serve, and stand together. This celebration is not the culmination of our efforts—it is the beginning of a national movement to unite Indian-American organizations under one umbrella, creating one stronger voice for our community and for the nation we proudly call home.”