DALLAS, TX - Indian American Friendship Council (IAFC) hosted its “9th Annual Awards Banquet Gala” with big fanfare with more than 500 people in attendance to celebrate the success of the Indian American community. This awards banquet was held on May 10 at Park Plaza Towers in Dallas. The first Indian American Woman Governor, the youngest in the US, Nikki Randhawa Haley,
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Governor of South Carolina attended the banquet as a Keynote Speaker and Hon. Beth Van Duyne, Irving City Mayor as a Special guest. Rao Kalvala, IAFC Secretary opened and welcomed the gathering and explained the importance of “Education – Experience – Empowerment.” The evening started with the Indian and US National Anthems sung by children. Once Popular TV anchor and artist now settled in Dallas as an IT professional Rajeswari Udayagiri did an excellent job as the emcee invited the students of Guru Parampara Scholl of Arts to perform a dance item titled the “Glory of Kuchipudi” as an invocation dance. Manogna Chavali, Yashaswini Pindi, Parimala Gangaraju, and Sampreeti Bingi did an excellent job in showcasing their talents of foot rhythm and expressions. This dance item was choreographed by the late Padma Vibhushan Guru Vempati China Satyam and Guru Hemamalini Chavali, Director of the Guru Parampara School of Arts, Irving.
John Hammond, IAFC Director and the Awards Banquet Chair eloquently spoke about the simple living and high thinking of Mahatma Gandhi who dedicated his life to peace and humanity. He further stated that proceeds of the banquet would benefit Mahatma Gandhi Memorial project. “ As a strong Indian American community, we all need to focus on local (US) issues like education, health care, social security, roads and transportation, safety and security etc., and express our opinions with an unified voice and need to participate in the US election process”, said Dr. Prasad Thotakura, IAFC Texas State Chairman, said.
Thotakura further stated that IAFC has been recognized twice in US Congress for its dynamic role in building better relations between the largest democracy, India and the oldest democracy USA. This year’s Awards Banquet is so special as Hon. Governor Haley attended the event as a Keynote Speaker and very successful people from all walks of life being felicitated with distinguished awards Nikki Haley and Thotakura, along with other IAFC Board of Directors presented awards to the following individuals.
“IAFC-Outstanding Scholar & Administrator” award was presented to Kharbari M. Vistasp, eighth President of the University of Texas at Arlington.
“IAFC-Community Bridge Award” was presented to Beth Van Duyne.
“IAFC-Outstanding Entrepreneur Award” was presented to Arun Agarwal, CEO, Alok International
“IAFC-Outstanding Youth Excellence Award” was presented to Ali A. Saherwala, 2nd year Medical Student, UT Southwestern, Dallas
Taiyab Kundawala, Vice President, in his closing remarks thanked the guests and congratulated all award winners.
John Hammond, IAFC Director and the Awards Banquet Chair eloquently spoke about the simple living and high thinking of Mahatma Gandhi who dedicated his life to peace and humanity. He further stated that proceeds of the banquet would benefit Mahatma Gandhi Memorial project. “ As a strong Indian American community, we all need to focus on local (US) issues like education, health care, social security, roads and transportation, safety and security etc., and express our opinions with an unified voice and need to participate in the US election process”, said Dr. Prasad Thotakura, IAFC Texas State Chairman, said.
Thotakura further stated that IAFC has been recognized twice in US Congress for its dynamic role in building better relations between the largest democracy, India and the oldest democracy USA. This year’s Awards Banquet is so special as Hon. Governor Haley attended the event as a Keynote Speaker and very successful people from all walks of life being felicitated with distinguished awards Nikki Haley and Thotakura, along with other IAFC Board of Directors presented awards to the following individuals.
“IAFC-Outstanding Scholar & Administrator” award was presented to Kharbari M. Vistasp, eighth President of the University of Texas at Arlington.
“IAFC-Community Bridge Award” was presented to Beth Van Duyne.
“IAFC-Outstanding Entrepreneur Award” was presented to Arun Agarwal, CEO, Alok International
“IAFC-Outstanding Youth Excellence Award” was presented to Ali A. Saherwala, 2nd year Medical Student, UT Southwestern, Dallas
Taiyab Kundawala, Vice President, in his closing remarks thanked the guests and congratulated all award winners.
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