Our Bureau
New York, NY
A distinguished gathering of community leaders and cultural advocates took place at the Romanti Auditorium of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan USA in New York City for a special Meet & Greet with Smriti Irani, former Union Minister of India.
The evening was hosted by Dr. Navin Mehta, Chairman of Bhavan USA (Institute of Indian Culture), along with Dr. H. R. Shah (Padma Shri), Chairman & CEO of TV Asia and Chairman Emeritus of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan USA.
The program opened with a captivating Indian classical instrumental performance featuring the rare and melodious Hansaveena by Ramanan Venkatraman, accompanied by tabla artist Aditya Phatak. The performance was curated by Sneh Arts Foundation, setting a vibrant cultural tone for the evening and celebrating the rich heritage of Indian classical music.
The event brought together several prominent leaders from the Indian American community and major organizations, including HOC Pragya Singh from Consulate of India, Dr. Raj Bhayani of National Alliance of Indian Organizations (NAIO), Dr. Hetal Gor of American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), Mohan Wanchoo of Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation, Megha Bhouraskar and Ravi Iyer, Director of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Saurin Parikh of Federation of Indian Associations (FIA), Prakash Shah of Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO), and Natwar Thakkar of Roshni Productions, among other community leaders and associations.
The program began with opening remarks by Minesh Patel, COO of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan USA, who welcomed the distinguished guests and attendees.
In her address, Smriti Irani spoke warmly about her long-standing relationship with Dr. H. R. Shah and TV Asia, as well as Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan USA, acknowledging their important role in strengthening cultural and community ties among the Indian diaspora and promoting India–U.S. relations.
She highlighted the vision and objectives of the National Alliance of Indian Organizations (NAIO) and praised the Indian American community for its continued efforts in promoting cultural values, community service, and stronger India–U.S. partnerships. She also emphasized the importance of women’s empowerment and the growing role of women in leadership, while recognizing progress in education, healthcare, and other vital sectors.
The evening served as a meaningful gathering celebrating community leadership, cultural engagement, and the growing impact of the Indian diaspora in the United States.
