Fundraiser for center forks out $1.25 million.
By Deepak Chitnis
WASHINGTON, DC: A new $8 million community cultural center, India House, will come up in Houston, Texas.
Although no timeframe on construction and opening for the center was divulged, a fundraiser held recently forked out $1.25 million, all of which will go towards the construction of the community center.
The building has been designed by Ray de la Reza, the architect behind the current India House building, and is expected to be able to host more than 800 people all at once. India House is arguably the most premiere desi organization in the Houston area, and is one of the largest in the country; its current president is Jugal Malani.
The announcement was made at an event that had over 400 attendees, and several distinguished members of the Indian American fraternity. Gov. Nikki Haley (R-SC) was the scheduled keynote speaker at the event, but due to weather conditions in her home state, was unable to attend, sending a video message instead. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) sent a video message, too. Haley was replaced by astronaut Bonnie Dunbar, who gave the keynote address at the function; Dunbar was a colleague of late astronaut Kalpana Chawla, who lost her life in the Columbia space shuttle disaster in 2003.
Other luminaries who gave remarks at the event were Indian Consul General P. Harish, and India House Eye Clinic backer Dr. Dennis Golden, who has been one of the key players in getting the organization to open its first medical clinic dedicated solely to eye care and health. India House construction supervisor Ravi Arora, who works with the local Harris County Public Infrastructure Department, was recognized for “outstanding service,” and Dr. M. Paul Mehta received a special commendation as well. Mehta, who passed away in 2012 from complications involving cancer, was the dean of education at Prairie View A&M University, served as the India Culture Center president, and was also one of the founders of the Punjabi Culture Club.
India House is a registered 501(3)(c), based in Houston, with the following goals: “Unite the Indian community [by creating] programs and services that bring together members of various regional and socio-economic subgroups of the Indian community; involve the local community [by creating] a bridge with the local community, exposing them to Indian culture and tradition; respond to community needs [by creating] programs and services of world-class quality in response to community needs; and promote diversity [by creating] a place where Indians and non-Indians are welcome regardless of their regional and socio-economic background.”
To contact the author, email to deepakchitnis@americanbazaaronline.com