The Indo-American Cultural Association of Edison paid tribute to its former president and trustee for more than three decades of community service.
Our Bureau
Fords, NJ
The Indo-American Cultural Association of Edison, New Jersey, honoured the legacy of its former president and trustee, the late Natu Patel, with a Lifetime Achievement Award at a memorial evening held at the Royal Albert Palace in Fords.
The event brought together physicians, pharmacists, community organisers, organisational leaders and members of the Indian-American community from across the tri-state area to remember Patel’s more than three decades of service and leadership.
The evening was led by IACA Trustee, pharmacist and community leader Girish Soni, along with Pushpa Patel, wife of the late Chairman Dr. Rasikbhai Patel. Ronak Jani served as emcee, while Trustee Krishnakant Sangani provided event direction. Youth volunteer Aayushman Jani handled backstage technical operations, including audio and video production.
Nitin Vyas, who spearheaded the event’s organisational leadership, coordination and direction, was also recognised for his efforts in bringing the programme together.
The memorial evening featured cultural performances, musical presentations and tributes from community leaders and professionals who recalled Patel’s contribution to the Indian-American community.
The Sonalee Vyas Dance Company presented a dance showcase, while musicians Azam Ali Khan and Bina Kadarkhan of the Kalavant Center for Music & Dance in New York performed musical renditions.
A series of speakers paid tribute to Patel’s leadership and community service. Those offering tributes included physicians Dr. Harish Bhatt, Dr. Mukesh Solanki and Dr. Manoj Desai; pharmacist Manu Parikh; community leaders Nalin Shah and Nilesh Dasandi; Edison Councilman Patil; AIA Past President Uma Swaminathan; Mahesh Wani of the Gandhian Society; Mukund Parikh of the Indo-American Council of Senior Citizens of Edison; Rajen Shah of Swajan; Yoga Guru Vijay Trivedi; and senior community leaders G.K. Patel, Bhagwat Patel and Ratilal Patel.
Additional tributes were shared by Bipin Parekh of Gujarat Samaj NJ, Kaushik Vyas of Royal Rice, Manish Parikh of the Taxi & Limo Association, Prakash Patel of ICS of Union, NJ, Harish Vyas of Saptak Group and Mukesh Kashiwala, a volunteer with Dwarkadhish Temple.
An Appreciation Award was also presented to FISANA in memory of the late Natu Patel. The award was accepted on behalf of the family by Mina Patel, Dhawal Patel and Deval Patel, alongside FISANA Secretary Yogesh Trivedi and past FISANA presidents and committee members.
The gathering also provided an opportunity for friends, family and community members to reconnect and share memories of Patel. Attendees were served a specially curated plant-based dinner as part of the evening programme.
Through the memorial, IACA highlighted Patel’s longstanding contribution to the community and the role played by earlier generations of Indian-American leaders in building institutions and fostering cultural and community ties in New Jersey.
The event also reflected the association’s continuing effort to recognise individuals whose service has contributed to the development of the Indian-American community across the region.
About IACA
The Indo-American Cultural Association of Edison, NJ, is a non-profit organisation dedicated to preserving Indian heritage, supporting community welfare and fostering cultural harmony across the tri-state area.