The ‘FIA Star Awards Night‘ will honor outstanding achievements across 19+ categories, including Best Community Service Organization, Entrepreneur of the Decade, Community Leader of the Year, Best Medical Professional, Fashion Icon, and more. This exclusive event will spotlight individuals and organizations that have significantly contributed to our community.

In addition to the awards ceremony, we proudly announce that this year’s event will coincide with FIA‘s grand celebration of India’s 78th Independence Day. To mark this special occasion, Sparsh Shah, a talented singer, rapper, and Guinness World Record holder born with Osteogenesis Imperfecta will open the event with a performance of patriotic songs.

Adding to the excitement, the FIA Team is honored to welcome Jaya Prada, an illustrious Bollywood star and multiple Filmfare Award winner. Known for her exceptional talent and beauty, Jaya Prada will join us in celebrating these two unforgettable events.

Sunil Shah, Chairman and Founder, of FIA, said about the exciting event: “In our continued tradition of honoring the Community Leaders who selflessly serve us, we have added more categories to the awards list. For the first time, we will have two award-winning international celebrities flying specifically for this FIA event to Chicago, Sparsh Shah and Bollywood Celebrity Jaya Prada.“

Adding to this Pratibha Jairath, President mentioned, “This will be a mega-event. The presence of our community members in Chicago at this prestigious event would be incredibly meaningful as we come together to honor those who have excelled in their respective fields and made a positive impact on our community. With over than four months of meticulous planning dedicated to selecting the award winners, this promises to be one of the most significant events Chicago Lands has ever witnessed.”

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Both series will also bring together representatives from across each of its ecosystems including teams, manufacturers, partners, and senior personnel for strategic workshops at Formula E’s London HQ. The sessions will focus on knowledge sharing, mutual learning, and continuing the development of electric vehicle (EV) technology. As test beds for pushing cutting-edge EV technology to the limit on track, both championships will discuss how consumer applications can continue to be influenced and enhanced by race day learning.

INDE Racing, the first Indian Racing team to win a podium on the FIM global championships will partake in this cross-learning initiative at the inaugural 2024 Misano E-Prix double header on 13-14 April.  INDE Racing along with the other teams in the E-Xplorer series will deliver an off-road demonstration around the grounds of the permanent Misano track showcasing the performance of e-bikes and motorcycle racing while adding to the weekend entertainment for fans in Italy’s iconic automotive and motorsport heartland.

The knowledge-sharing sessions will focus on mutual learning and continuing the development of electric vehicle (EV) technology. As test beds for pushing cutting-edge EV technology to the limit on track, teams, manufacturers, partners and senior personnel from both championships will discuss how consumer applications can continue to be influenced and enhanced by race day learning.

Abhishek Reddy, CEO of INDE Racing said,” This collaboration provides us with a unique platform to push Indian motor racing onto a global platform while undoubtedly helping us catalyze the development of advanced electric powertrain technologies and help us push the boundaries of what is possible in electric motorsport. As the owner of Inde Racing, I am deeply committed to advancing sustainable racing practices and proving that high-performance electric racing can be a catalyst for change in the automotive industry, both in India and globally.”

Valentin Guyonnet, CEO of E-Xplorer, said: “Collaborating with the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is something I’ve eagerly awaited. Our goal is to provide motorcycle manufacturers with the premier racing platform to advance electric powertrain technology to its pinnacle. The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship couldn’t be a better championship to learn from.”

JeF Dodds, CEO of Formula E said, “It is exciting to bring some of the best minds together from across both championships and continue to push forward the development of electric technology. Having the e-bikes perform at our first ever Misano E-Prix will add another dimension of entertainment for fans and highlight the raw performance that EVs can deliver both on and off the track.”

The E-Xplorer demonstration at the Misano E-Prix will take place three weekends before the FIM E-Xplorer World Cup’s second round in Norway, 3-4 May following its highly successful opening event in central Osaka three weeks ago (16/17 February).

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LUSAIL, QATRAR: The diminutive Italian Giovanni Bernacchini was officially confirmed as Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah’s co-driver during Tuesday’s administration checks for this weekend’s Qatar International Rally at the Lusail Sports Arena.

Twenty-three crews and competitors from 17 nations will take part in the opening round of the 2024 FIA Middle East Rally Championship.

Bernacchini replaces Andorra-based Mathieu Baumel, who has been a regular fixture alongside Al-Attiyah since the start of the 2015 season. Baumel cut his teeth in the FIA Middle East Rally Championship with Khalifa Al-Attiyah, Yazeed Al-Rajhi, and Abdullah Al-Kuwari. Together, he and Al-Attiyah won four Dakars, two W2RC titles, 30 MERC rallies, and nine regional FIA championships.

Fifty-year-old Bernacchini last competed with Al-Attiyah in 2014 and secured the fourth of his Qatar International Rally victories to add to wins in 2010, 2011, and 2013. In total, he has won 25 rallies in the MERC, a number equaled by Chris Patterson but still adrift of the record-holding Ronan Morgan (41) and Baumel (32). He will now co-drive for the Qatari on all five rounds of the regional rally series.

Al-Attiyah said: “It’s not a new challenge with Giovanni. He was with me for a long time and we won the championship together several times. This year I decided to have him again. For me, it was not working like what I wanted with Mathieu. Still, we have a good relationship and now he is free. I also have my decision for the next co-driver for the Dakar and cross-country (Edouard Boulanger).

At the moment I don’t know if we will do some more rallies. We will do the Middle East and, in the event of the sponsor Visit Qatar, I think they want to have three or four races in WRC, maybe WRC2. Maybe Portugal, Sardinia, Greece, basically the ones that I like. We will also be very busy with the new program of Dacia.

After several months with the cross-country car, this morning the car felt very slow. I did 30km of testing this morning and I adjusted myself and we changed a lot of things, just to be sure and to make a good start for the Qatar Rally.”

Bernacchini added: “It is a pleasure for me to come back after 10 years with Nasser. We won four times here together and I hope that this new adventure after 10 years can be as successful. It’s something that surprised me in a very good way but I hope our agreement can bring back the same victories. When I left Nasser, I still tried to win some races in the Middle East. Now I have the chance again. I hope to increase my number of victories.”

Bernacchini competed alongside Al-Attiyah’s cousin Nasser Khalifa Al-Atya last year in both the Oman and Qatar rallies and finished fifth and sixth overall. He has also co-driven in the region for Khalid Al-Suwaidi, Rashed Al-Ketbi, and Roger Feghali.

Several drivers, including Al-Attiyah and the trio of Mads Østberg, Pierre-Louis Loubet, and Mārtiņš Sesks (who are competing in Sports Racing Technology-run Skoda Fabia RS Rally2s) tested their cars in the desert to the north of Doha on Tuesday morning.

Loubet will be co-driven by Loris Pascaud this season in the WRC2 category of the FIA World Rally Championship. He and Pascaud, who has worked as an integral member of the Frenchman’s gravel crew for the last two seasons, will use the event in Qatar as an invaluable acclimatization exercise. After taking part in the Africa Eco Race at the start of January and claiming five stage wins in an Apache SSV, Loubet spent last weekend in the commentary box for Canal+ Sport at the Monte-Carlo Rally.

Sesks was testing at the helm of a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 in central Finland recently and Østberg was involved in testing for the recent Sigdalsrally in Norway. Both events were a far cry from the deserts of northern Qatar.

Tomorrow (Wednesday), competitors carry out a detailed reconnaissance of the dozen gravel stages that have been laid on by the QMMF through Qatar’s northern deserts.

The Waab Al-Mashrab stage is similar to 2023 but there have been minor changes to sections of both the Al-Waab and Umm Birka specials, with new tracks added into the middle part of both specials.

The Al-Khor stage features a new start section and will be run in the opposite direction to 2023, while the majority of the Ras Laffan and Al-Thakhira stages remain unchanged except for a new start and finish section for the Ras Laffan special and a short change near the end of Al-Thakira.

The 2024 Qatar International Rally gets underway from Lusail Boulevard at 19.00hrs on Thursday evening, before competitors tackle an exciting opening super special stage at the LCSC Karting Academy from 20.00hrs.

There is a chance of light rain on Thursday and blustery and less settled weather conditions on Friday and Saturday.

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The inaugural moments of the event unfolded in the timeless Indian tradition, symbolizing the illumination of knowledge and wisdom through the ceremonial lighting of the lamp. Standing as custodians of this symbolic act were luminaries of FIA: Founder and Chairman Sunil Shah, President Vinita Gulabani, President Pratibha Jairath, and esteemed past presidents, each contributing to the collective radiance. In keeping with FIA’s commitment to inclusivity, the stage beckoned all Advisory Board members, Directors, and Members, to partake in this auspicious initiation.

The grandeur of the main event was ushered in by the dynamic presence of FIA’s General Secretary, Nilabh Dubey, seizing the stage to a resounding applause that echoed through the venue. Nilabh Dubey set the tone by introducing the evening’s main MCs with his eloquent articulation that offered a glimpse into the diverse talents that define FIA, specifically, that highlighting the professional achievements of the evening’s MCs. The spotlight of the evening shifted seamlessly to the captivating presence of the main MCs, Anu Malhotra and Suchitra Kukreja, who effortlessly took command of the stage, igniting the atmosphere with great excitement.

Inviting Founder Chairman Sunil Shah to share his insights, Sunil Shah, in his smooth style, painted a vivid picture of FIA’s pivotal role in uniting the diaspora in and around Chicago land over the past several years, including expanding into neighboring states. Sunil Shah eloquently articulated the organization’s vision and mission, setting the stage for a night of celebration and reflection.

Past President Vinita Gulabani, gracing the stage, highlighted the remarkable achievements of 2023, emphasizing the phenomenal growth from 58 to over 160 members—a testament to a staggering 300 percent increase in funding, event sizes, and the number of events hosted. Current President Pratibha Jairath, invited to the stage by Anu Malhotra, expressed gratitude to the Executive members and outlined her ambitious plan for 2024. In a groundbreaking move, she introduced an additional event focusing on Animal Medical Welfare and Care, reiterating FIA’s commitment to diverse and impactful community engagement.

The stage then welcomed the esteemed Chief Guest for the evening, Consulate General Somnath Ghosh, who spoke passionately about the relevance of India’s Republic Day to the Indian Diaspora, conveying key messages from the President of India to the captivated audience.

In a poignant moment, FIA’s Advisory Board members, instrumental in the organization’s decade-long growth, took center stage. Syed Hussaini, Manish Gandhi, Asha Oroskar, Pinky Thakkar, Lakhvir Sahota, Dr. Anuja Gupta, Dr. Bhupinder Beri, Dr. Suresh Reddy, Nimish Jani, Shrujal Patel, Sushma Bhanot, Shital Daftari, and Jasbir Suga shared their perspectives on FIA’s contributions to the community, underscoring the collective impact made month after month.

The culmination of this segment gave way to an exhilarating and patriotic performance, as children from the Atharv Dance Academy, unleashed a foot-stomping patriotic dance that echoed the spirit of the evening.

The festivities included the bestowal of awards and honors upon exceptional individuals who have left an indelible mark on the community across diverse fields. Founder Chairman Sunil Shah, President Vinita Gulabani, President Pratibha Jairath, and Consulate General Somnath Ghosh, graced the occasion to present these accolades. The luminaries acknowledged for their unwavering generosity in both time and funding, breathing vitality into numerous remarkable FIA and community initiatives, were Sudhir and Archana Agarwal, Pinky & Dinesh Thakkar, Chintan & Digna Patel, Chirag Patel, Sunny Patel, Arjun Patel, Manish & Shailja Gandhi, Suketu Amin, Kunal Sarangi (ex-MLA), Naresh Shah, Dr. Bhupinder Beri, and Jayanti Oza. The dynamic duo MCs, Anu Malhotra and Suchitra Kukreja brought their collective expertise to the forefront, turning the award ceremony into a flawless celebration of community service and contribution.

Jaspreet Kharbanda, the CFO of Dabur USA, took us on a heartfelt journey to India, not just through geography but through the senses, creating an immersive experience. In a gesture that transcended the ordinary, he generously treated all attendees to the rich flavors of Badshah masala chai/tea and the delightful burst of aromatic richness of Pani Puri. Truly Jaspreet’s thoughtful gesture reinforced the simple act of breaking bread together.

In a commitment to fostering community development, the FIA proudly extends its support through a commendable scholarship program presented annually on India’s Republic Day. This initiative, grounded in both financial need and academic excellence, attracted an impressive pool of more than 35 applications this year. The rigorous evaluation led to the shortlisting of 17 exceptional candidates, and we are thrilled to announce that, on this occasion, 6 remarkable individuals were honored with scholarships. The entire process was led by Vinita Gulabani and Kamlesh Kapoor from FIA. Consulate General Somnath Ghosh, Swapnil Shah, Sahaj Shah, Asha Oroskar, Lakhvir Sahota, and Kamlesh Kapoor, graciously presided over the awards ceremony. Vice President of FIA and pro-MC Richa Chand, with an eloquent and inspirational delivery, announced the recipients of the scholarships, highlighting their remarkable achievements. Richa Chand infused the moment with a sense of pride and uplifting experience for the exceptional accomplishments of the scholarship winners. These scholarships, a testament to the collaborative spirit of various businesses and the visionary leadership within the FIA, symbolize our unwavering dedication to nurturing talent and empowering the aspirations of deserving students in Chicago land.

Chandini Duvvuri, Vice President of FIA, eloquently conveyed the Vote of Thanks, embodying gratitude and appreciation on behalf of the entire organization. In her heartfelt expression of thanks, Chandini extended sincere appreciation to Founder Chairman Sunil Shah, acknowledging the enduring legacy he has crafted and commending current and past presidents for consistently elevating the standards of FIA events to unprecedented heights. She expressed deep gratitude to Consulate General Somnath Ghosh, Linda Davenport, Court Judge, and other esteemed dignitaries whose presence added prestige to the occasion. Chandini offered a profound thank you to the altruistic individuals whose generous contributions made the event and scholarships possible. Recognizing the dedication and unwavering commitment of FIA Advisory Board members and Directors, she emphasized their pivotal role in shaping the organization’s collaborative spirit and serving as a continual source of inspiration.

President Vinita Gulabani set the stage ablaze, ushering in the main cultural show with a magnetic presence that commanded attention. Her introduction of renowned artists from India and across the globe heightened anticipation, reaching a crescendo when the iconic Shaid Rafi was warmly welcomed on stage, earning a resounding standing ovation. Shahid Rafi, with grace and nostalgia, guided the audience through the corridors of memory, offering poignant insights into Mohammad Rafi’s personal life and his role as a father.

The cultural extravaganza unfolded with a cascade of melodies that transported the audience through a time capsule of Bollywood’s golden era. Classics such as “Aajkal Tere Mera Pyar Kay Charche,” “Chaahe Koi Mujhe Junglee Kahe,” “Yeh Chand Sa Roshan Chehra,” “Gulabi Aankhen,” and “Parda Hai Parda” echoed through the venue, setting the stage on fire.

During the electrifying rendition of ‘An Evening in Paris,’ Sunil Shah’s signature dance moves ignited the crowd, prompting an impromptu dance floor and stage invasion by the audience. The infectious energy made it a delightful challenge for our ace photographers—Suresh Bodiwala, Vivek Joshi, Nilabh Dubey, Ramesh Punetar, Jayanti Oza, and Matt Chennoor—to capture the essence of the unbridled celebration.

The crowd, carried away by the euphoria, chanted “Once more, once more” after each super-hit performance by Neelajan Ray, Priyanka Mittra, Sammy M., Gautami Roy, Prakhar Ghosh, and Mohammad Salamat. Even the Q&A session between Rizwan and Shahid Rafi added a touch of humor, leaving the audience clamoring for more on a night that seamlessly blended patriotism, nostalgia, entertainment, and sheer joy.

As the resonant notes of Mohammad Rafi’s songs, sung by Shahid Rafi, patriotic melodies filled the air, a poignant scene unfolded among some of the senior citizens who had witnessed the trials and triumphs of India’s freedom struggle. The evocative strains of timeless classics like “Mera Rang De Basanti Chola,” “Karo Zindagi Ko Watan Ke Hawaale,” and “Nafrat Ki Laathi Todo” stirred deep emotions, bringing tears to the eyes of those who had personally lived through the historic era. In those heartfelt moments, the power of Rafi’s voice became a bridge, connecting the present to the indomitable spirit of the past. Songs such as “Naujawaanon Bharat Ki Taqdeer,” “Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna,” and “Yeh Desh Hai Veer Jawaanon Ka” acted as an emotional time machine, transporting these seniors back to a time of sacrifice, unity, and an unyielding love for their motherland. The tears that welled up in their eyes were not just a response to music; they were a poignant tribute to the enduring legacy of India’s struggle for independence. The yearning for more was felt through the audience, an audible echo of their profound connection to the mesmerizing performance, many requests were made to Founder Chairman Sunil Shah to continue the program for some more time. Yet, as the clock struck midnight, signaling the culmination of a spectacular show, a collective sigh of both satisfaction and reluctance filled the air. The lingering applause and non-stop dancing, though a token of appreciation, was also a wistful plea for the FIA’s Republic Day magic to continue.

As the Consulate General of India, Sonath Ghosh, truly remarked “This FIA, Chicago event was not merely a reflection, but a vivid manifestation of our love for India and profound pride in being part of the world’s largest democracy, India.  The celebration left an indelible impression, cultivating a heightened sense of patriotism and national pride among the Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) connected to their roots and heritage”.

FIA Chicago’s Republic Day festivities were not just a commemoration; they were a powerful testament to the enduring spirit of India and its diaspora.

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The evening began with the singing of devotional songs, followed by the traditional aarti. Founder and President Sunil Shah, Current President Vinita Gulabani, Founder Member and Past President Onkar Singh Sanga, and Past President Neil Khot addressed the gathered members, thanking them for their contributions to the success of the FIA and its activities during the year.

The event also saw the announcement of the new FIA team for 2024, which will be spearheaded by Incoming President Pratibha Jairath, strongly supported by 100+ members comprising Executive Board Members, Directors, and Advisory Board Members. The team includes Executive Vice Presidents Altaf Bukhari and Anu Malhotra, Vice Presidents Richa Chand, Sonia Luther, Mukesh Shah, Chandini Duvuri, Murugesh Kasilingam, and Jessie Singh, Treasurer Suresh Bodiwala, General Secretary Nilabh Dubey, Joint Treasurer Vaishal Talati, Joint Secretary Falguni Sukhadia, Cultural Secretary Pika Munshi, and Joint Cultural Secretary Priyanka Parekh.

A new Disciplinary Committee was proposed and accepted, with members including Keerthi Reevori, Mukesh Shah, Sunil Shah, Neil Khot, Vinita Gulabani, and Pratibha Jairath. Additionally, a Public Relations and Communications team comprising Abir Maru, Harry Sidhu, Kamlesh Kapoor, and Vijay Muralidaran has been added to the executive committee for the year.

The program also included live entertainment by Swapnil Sahu, Jitendra Bulsara, Payel Ganguly, Pratibha Jairath, and Pinky Thakkar, and dinner catered by India Foodie Lounge. The event concluded with recognition for the achievements of the outgoing team, including a Lifetime Achievement award for Sunil Shah and a Volunteer Award for Neil Khot from the Lions Club under the auspices of the President of the United States of America.

Overall, the event was a great success, and the new FIA team for 2024 is poised to continue the organization’s growth and service to the community.

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The team’s all-Swedish pairing of Adam Thomelius and Oscar Andersson joined the South Racing Can-Am Team for the first time and delivered stunning performances. Thomelius and Ekstrom claimed the quickest and second-fastest times in the general classification, taking the T3 advantage into the night halt. Ekstrom continued his program of Baja events with South Racing and teamed up with French co-driver Francois Cazalet on this occasion. The motor sporting all-rounder led the event outright after the opening two stages and finished fourth in T3 and eighth overall.

De Sousa Batista, who won the category by over 17 minutes, said: “We managed to be champions in advance after an excellent performance last year when we finished fourth overall. It was a challenging event and we are delighted with this result.”

The South Racing-built Can-Am Maverick X3s claimed top positions in the T3 section, with Portugal’s Joao Dias and Armindo Araujo finishing first and second. The team also confirmed the T4 Teams’ Championship with one round to spare. South Racing’s Alexandre Re and Dania Akeel finished seventh and ninth in T3.

South Racing Can-Am Team’s managing director Scott Abraham said: “We wrapped up the T4 Teams’ Championship and the T4 Drivers’ title for Cristiano de Sousa Batista and that follows hot on the heels of our successes in both the W2RC T3 and T4 Championships. This was the penultimate event of the year and another very successful one for us.

Baja Portalegre brought a few surprises and some great results. South Racing-built Can-Ams swept the top five positions in the T3 category and showed, once again, that they are the premium vehicle in the market in both T3 and T4. The only title left to play for is T3 in the FIA World Cup and we head to Dubai in two weeks’ time for what is sure to be a hotly-contested finale.”

The Baja Portalegre 500 was plagued by rain, mud, and atrocious weather conditions, but the South Racing Can-Am Team showcased their dominance. The team’s success in the event puts them in a strong position in both the T3 and T4 categories in the FIA World Cup. The only title left to play for is T3, and the team heads to Dubai in two weeks’ time for what is sure to be a hotly-contested finale.

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About 400 plus guests attended this most happening, most mesmerizing event of the year so far! And FIA Chicago is indebted to the generosity of the Grand Sponsors of the Event, the famous Ghoman Brothers, Amarbir Singh Ghoman and Harsharan Singh Ghoman, the proud owners of Chicago Marriott Northwest, IL, who welcomed Team FIA and all the guests with open arms and left no stone unturned in their warm hospitality. Another Grand Sponsor of the event, Mr. Chintan Patel, owner of INDIACO greatly supported the event and FIA-Chicago greatly appreciated their generosity.

The FIA  would like to express our gratitude to the  sponsors for  the event,  Orochem (Anil and Asha Oraskar, Vinakom (Ketu Amin), IT Experts US (Harry mohan), SNT Biotech (Ninad and Shital Daftari), Rely Services (Neil khot) , Crossroads Animal Hospital (Dr. Bhupinder Beri), SSS Entertainment, Hollybolly Unlimited (Sunil Shah and Family), Indian American Business Council (Ajeet Singh), Manish And Shailja Gandhi, Strike Ten (Dhitu Bhagwakar),  World’s Money Exchange Inc (Anil Shah), Chicago Cardiology (Dr. Doshi), Inter-Continental Trading USA Inc, Bhatt Foundation (Hitesh And Kim Bhatt), Rgl (Aishwarya and Rajiv Sharma), Dimples Beauty Salon (Hitesh and Dimple Gandhi), Pranacare Pharmacy (Hansal Patel), India Foodie Lounge (Yagnesh Patel), XDC Global (N Nagasubramium Iyer(Subbu)), SR International (Rita and Sanjeev Singh), Nalanda Educational Foundation (Pradeep Shukla and Team), Innovative Consulting Solutions, LLC, Gardi, Haught, Fischer & Bhosale Ltd (Hiten Gardi), Ashima Washington, HMSI (Anil Loomba), Standard Homecare (Syed Husseini),  Blue Sky Innovation – Sanjiv Gulati, Krishna IAA Insurance Group, Cosmic Consulting Group (Chandini Duvuuri). FIA-Chicago is very thankful & grateful to all our supporters & sponsors for making this event a GRAND success, which was truly an unparalleled, unsurpassed & transcendent event because of their generous support.

The event was well attended by dignitaries: Chief Guest, Consul General Chicago Hon. Somnath Ghosh; Guest of Honor, U.S. Representative for Illinois’s 8th congressional district Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi; other special guests Michelle Mussman, State Representatives of the 56th district; Tom Dailly, President Schaumburg Village; William Duncan McLeod, Mayor of Hoffman Estates, IL; Rodney S. Craig, Mayor & President- Hanover Park, IL; Gopal Lalmalani,  Mayor & President- Oakbrook, IL; Dr. Suresh Reddy, Trustee Oakbrook Village; Vandana Jhingan, Bureau Chief TV Asia; Kevin Morrison, Cook County Commissioner; Khaja Moinuddin, Hanover Park assessor; Swapnil Shah, Hollywood Actor; Susan Mendoza, Illinois State Treasurer. Apart from showing unstinting support to the FIA, to show solidarity and support for FIA-IL, many prominent community leaders were present on the stage including Dr. Bharat Barai, Vandana Jhingan, Meghna and Krishna Bansal, and Karl Kalra.

The evening started with a social hour with Raju Bankapur playing melodious tunes enthralling the audience with nationalistic fervor organized by Anu Malhotra.

The main event began with Sonia Luthar opening the event thanking the attendees and inviting Chandini Duvuuri and RV Reddy to host the initial segment. They thanked the attendees, outlining the importance of Republic Day. Chandini and RV Reddy then spoke about the  FIA theme and its achievements and community service in the recent past. They invited the FIA Chairman and Founder President Sunil Shah on Stage. Sunil Shah welcomed and thanked everyone for their presence. He outlined the important achievements and community service that the FIA provides. Shah in his closing remarks, spoke,” Freedom in our Heart, Pride in our Soul, Purity in our Blood, Let us Salute our Motherland India!!”

Sunil Shah then invited Past President Rita Singh to host the next segment. Rita Singh invited Current President Vinita Gulabani on stage, Vinita spoke of the pride that Indians exude all over the world. She spoke of the institutions that keep India safe and the sacrifices of the armed forces personnel that enables the general population to live without fear in the country. She spoke of the progress the country has made in its Amrit Kaal over the years, whether it’s the local Indian populace in India or people who left the country and made other countries home.

Rita Singh then called Past President Hitesh Gandhi and Founder and Past President Onkar Sangha on stage.

Then the American National Anthem was sung by Jenish Bulsara and the Indian National Anthem by the group of singers Manmeet Kaur, Geetanjali Maru, Jeetendra Bulsara, Ravi Thokala, Swapnil Sahu, and Mani Tellapragada.

This was followed by a Prayer dance choreographed and performed by Pika Munshi( RK Dance Academy), and a Patriotic dance Choreographed by Pika Munshi, and the participants included Diya Talati Kavya Shah, Veda Mehta, Harini Patel, Shayna Shah, Kavya Parikh.

Rita Singh then welcomed the Chief Guest, the Consul General of India Chicago Mr. Somnath Ghosh to the stage to address the gathering. He outlined the importance of Republic Day and the leap India has taken under the current leadership in all sectors and the improvement in India’s image worldwide. He thanked the Indians living in the United States of America for further showing the locals that the Indians living in this country have a very positive image.

Guest of Honor, U.S. Representative for Illinois’s 8th Congressional District, Hon. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi then took the stage and in his inimitable style addressed the gathering.

Rita Singh then invited Executive Vice President Shital Daftari to co-host the next segment. In continuation of a long-cherished tradition, the lamp lighting ceremony took place by Shital Daftari calling prominent personalities who attended the event on stage namely Chief Guest, Consul General Chicago Hon. Somnath Ghosh; Guest of Honor, U.S. Representative for Illinois’s 8th congressional district Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi; other special guests Michelle Mussman, State Representatives of the 56th district; Tom Dailly, President Schaumburg Village; William Duncan McLeod, Mayor of Hoffman Estates, IL; Rodney S. Craig, Mayor & President- Hanover Park, IL; Gopal Lalmalani,  Mayor & President- Oakbrook, IL; Dr. Suresh Reddy, Trustee Oakbrook Village; Vandana Jhingan, Bureau Chief TV Asia; Kevin Morrison, Cook County Commissioner; Khaja Moinuddin Hanover Park assessor; Swapnil Shah, Hollywood Actor; Susan Mendoza, Illinois State Treasurer. Other organizations, supporting including but not limited to: Mr. Hema Kanuru, TANA: Telugu Association of North America, Mr. Hanumanth Reddy, ATA: American Telugu Association, Narender Reddy Chemarla ATS: American Telangana Sanghan,  Mr. Madan Pamulapati NATS: North American Telugu Society, Mr. Rambhupal Khandula NATA: North American Telugu Association,  Mr. Hari Raini NRIVA: NRI vasavi Association  Mrs. Preeti Reddy TDF: Telangana Development Forum, Mr. Hema Chandra Naidu TTA Tri-State Telugu Association,  Mr. Parameswara Reddy Yarasani. TTA Tri-State Telugu Association  Mr. Gowri Shankar Addanki  CAA: Chicago Andhra Association, Mr. Nambi Nambiv, Tamil Sangam, Mr. Malla ReddyBokka IAGC: Indian Association of Greater Chicago, Mr: Kishore Channabasavaiah, Kannada Kuta Association, President: Anto Anthony. Kerala Association of Chicago, President: Rajinder Mago Punjabi Association, Girish Kapoor, United Punjabi Association, Mr. Debasis Chatterjee, Bengali Association of Chicago Deepali Saraogi, North American Chattisgarh Association, President: Chandan Singh USOGC Uttarakhand Samaj of Greater Chicago,  President: Anil Pattnaik, Orissa Association of Chicago, Nageswari Thota,  American Progressive Telugu, Association:(APTA), and Maharashtra Mandal and She also Introduced and Invited the FIA Advisory Board, the Executive Board and the FIA Board of Directors.

The main highlight of the event was the FIA’s Annual Scholarship Program, where 5 meritorious needy students were selected to receive the scholarship award of $1000 each, selected by an independent academician  Scholarship Judge, not affiliated with FIA-Chicago, Mr. Kiran Palla, founder and Chairman of AVS Academy and a recipient of the United States Presidential Service Award. Scholarship Sponsors: Pinky & Dinesh Thakkar, Dr. Asha & Dr. Anil Oroskar, Vini’s Salon- Vinita Gulabani, Dr. Usha Kartan, Chandini Duvuri, Heart Foundation – Sona Shah, Brij Sharma Powervolt, Anil Loomba (HMSI). The recipients of the scholarships were Diya and Dev Talati, Dhruv Syngol, K Darshan Thomas, and Gautami Palthepu, the 5th Recipient Anya Venkat was unavailable to come and collect the scholarship.

The emcees for the gala entertainment section were Richa Chand and Suchitra Kukreja.

The evening was filled with patriotic songs and colorful dance performances – Rajasthani Dance by the Saaz Dance group and the participants included Hinal Patel, Neela Aloor, Renuaka Nathan, Madavi Padamati, Patriotic Parade participants Diya Talati (Rani Jhansi), Kavya Shah (Ahilyabaiwhi De), Veda Mehta (Lal Bahadur Shastri), Harini Patel (KasturBa),Shayna Shah (Sarojini Naidu), Kavya Parikh (Sardar Vallabhbhai), Dev Talati (Mahatma Gandhi), Kavish Shah (Bhagat Singh), Rushabh Shah (Sardar Vallabhbahi Patel) and the Final dance – Jay Ho Patriotic dance choreographed by Falguni Rana,  and the participants were Aanya Sullivan, Ria Sullivan, Samanvita Kulkarni, Vishrudha Suvithaa, Aavi Krishanmoorthy, Sruthilaya Poonguzhali.

A fine group of Singers entertained the audience with their singing style and gifted voice, namely, Manmeet Kaur, Geetanjali Maru, Jeetendra Bulsara, Ravi Thokala, Swapnil Sahu, Saanika Sahu, and Mani Tellapragada, mesmerized the audience with their melodious voice singing patriotic songs with nationalistic fervor.

The FIA would also like to thank the Emcees Rita Singh, Shital Daftari, Richa Chand, Suchitra Kukureja, Chandini Duvuri & RV Reddy who kept the audience engaged throughout the event, Neela Patel & Kamlesh Kapoor both were fantastic. Directors Vijay & Nilabh, and Hemendra did excellent work. Sonia Luther graciously opened the event & did wonderful work at registration. Music was provided by DJ Sanjay. Photography & Video by Asian Media USA Team and the delicious dinner was catered by Jigar’s kitchen.

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