Our Bureau
New York, NY
A standout event in New York’s Indian diaspora community was hosted this week by hotelier and philanthropist Naveen Shah, who organized a memorable reception for Amruta Fadnavis, the widely admired First Lady of Maharashtra.
Nearly 150 prominent Indian Americans—including Dr. Raj Bhayani, Kanak Golia, Gary Sikka, Dr. Dipak Nandi, and publisher, The Indian EYE Sunil Hali—were in attendance.
Shah, known for his charismatic hosting style, welcomed Fadnavis with warmth and humor, drawing laughter from the audience.
He spoke about her remarkable accomplishments, highlighting her talent and humility, and even pointed out personality traits they share.
During the event, Dr. Raj Bhayani and Navin Shah announced the launch of the National Alliance of Indian Organizations (NAIO) in America, a new PAC aimed at strengthening business ties between India and the United States.
The National Alliance of Indian Organizations (NAIO) is an ambitious new initiative aimed at uniting the entire Indian diaspora across the United States.
NAIO, described as a grand platform for collective empowerment, has been launched to bring every Indian individual and community group under one cohesive umbrella.
Backed by seven billionaires and several prominent financial entrepreneurs, the effort is supported by an influential roster of founding members, including Navin Shah, Dr Raj Bhayani, Chintu Patel, Dr Bharat Barai, Dr Dipak Nandi, Bharat Patel, Dr Raj Bansal, Gary Sikka, Anil Jain, Girish Patel, Dr Datta Nori, Dr Poorna Atluri, and Harshad Patel (Pakaji).
The leadership team has begun outreach to prominent Indian American leaders in all U.S. states and is also engaging select international partners to strengthen the initiative’s global reach.
Dressed in an elegant white contemporary outfit, Fadnavis expressed gratitude to the Indian diaspora for its contributions and thanked Shah for his hospitality.
She later performed a ghazal, showcasing her well-known musical passion.
Several community leaders also addressed the gathering, praising Fadnavis’s work. Dr. Bhayani—who has invited her to headline the State NJ AAPI annual gala on November 15—spoke alongside Dr. Dipak Nandi, Gary Sikka, Miss Pareek of Navika, and Sunil Hali.
Dr. Bhayani and Shah, together with leaders such as Chintu Patel, Raj Bansal, Dr. Bharat Barai, and Dr. Nandi, are key figures behind the newly formed alliance, with prominent national leaders expected to join soon.
Guests enthusiastically celebrated Fadnavis’s presence, lining up to greet her and take photographs.
The grand event underscored the growing influence of the Indian American community in shaping socio-cultural and business dialogue between India and the United States.
Attendees noted that the presence of Amruta Fadnavis, combined with the announcement of a new national alliance, reflected a renewed momentum toward unified civic engagement.
The event not only celebrated cultural pride but also signaled a strategic shift toward deeper collaboration within the diaspora’s leadership circles.
