Ambassador Arun K. Singh, Javed Akhtar and Neera Tanden among headliners.
AB Wire
The Washington, DC, chapter of the American India Foundation raised more than $200,000 at its annual gala held at the Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, MD, on Friday.
Indian Ambassador to the United States Arun K. Singh, prominent lyricist and poet Javed Akhtar and President of the Center for American Progress Neera Tanden were among the headliners at the power-packed gala, which was attended by more than 250 influential guests.
Akhtar, Tanden and Teresa Carlson, Vice President of the Global Public Sector at Amazon, were the main honorees of the evening. Maryland State Del. Kumar Barven and India Abroad Managing Editor Aziz Haniffa were also recognized at the event.
The majority of the $200,000 raised came from gala sponsorships, donations, pledge drive and a silent auction. The funds would go toward AIF’s Maternal and Newborn Survival Initiative (MANSI), which is designed to reduce maternal and child mortality in rural, impoverished areas of India, the organization said.
One of the highlights of the gala was a presentation by Mamta Mahato, a 26-year old health worker from Jharkhand, India, who told the gathering that training from the MANSI program has so far enabled her to safely deliver over 90 healthy newborns in her village.
In his keynote address, Singh praised AIF’s works to among disadvantaged Indians through opportunity and hope. “The American India Foundation is steering relations between the world’s largest democracy and the world’s most powerful democracy,” the ambassador said. “Thank you for the great work you have done towards supporting important social causes in India.”
Highlighting an AIF initiative to boost female literacy and empowerment, Singh said: “The effort of the government has to be supplemented by what civil society and people like you are able to do.”
In his speech, Akhtar praised the contribution of Indian Americans in strengthening villages and small towns in India. “What is wonderful about you is that you have not forgotten your connect to India,” he said. “You have not forgotten your roots. India is proud of you.”
Tanden, a key player in the Democratic policy circles, said the Indian American community has ways to go in the policy and political areas, despite the strong strides it has made in recent decades. “We do really need more and more people to get involved in policy and politics.”
Carlson, the third honoree, pointed out the entrepreneurial potential of India. “When I look at the social good that you are trying you to drive here with this amazing foundation, I believe that technology is an absolute enabler,” she said. “I know that many individuals in this room are technology enablers, so I thank you for that. I thank you all for everything that you do to drive this economy in the US, but most certainly what’s happening in India, and I look forward to making sure Amazon continues to be a big part of that.”
The gala was organized by the AIF Young Professionals Leadership Council of Washington, DC. AIF Senior Director and a key architect of the gala Venkatesh Raghavendra said the organization “is very proud of the fact that the young leaders of the greater Washington, DC, area, have taken ownership of the AIF’s cause. This augurs well for the future of AIF.”
Other speakers included AIF’s founding chair Victor Menezes; Sudhakar Shenoy, Chairman and CEO of Alyxtech and well-known philanthropist Ranvir Trehan. Prominent Indian American leader Dr. Mahinder Tak and philanthropist and entrepreneur Frank Islam were among the attendees.
Three Idiots fame Omi Vaidya was the master of ceremonies of the evening, which also featured performances by local artists Sargam and Rhythmaya Dance.