IALI by Malak Designs Inc

India Association of Long Island, Inc NEWSLETTER 366 North Broadway, Suite 410, Jericho, NY 11753 Spring Issue 2102

Website: www.ialiny.org

Editor: Dr. Rohini B. Ramanathan

The President’s Message

I feel greatly honored to have been elected the president of the India Association of Long Island (IALI) for the year 2012. I consider it my privilege to serve this 34-year-old premiere, Indian-American organization and you. Co-serving with me is my duly elected and exemplary executive council (EC), a team of dedicated, hardworking and highly experienced individuals--some new faces and others old hands--with a high level of integrity and professionalism. Their past, community-based, voluntary work has been either with IALI or other organizations or both, and the community stands to gain much from their input and insight. Those of you who elected them deserve the ultimate credit. I thank each and every one of you for the trust and confidence you have placed in my team, and me. We are your choice and thus we will be your voice during our entire term of office. This process begins right this minute. For instance, during the lengthy election process, some of you aired your feelings about how you find the process to be an unnecessarily stressful, wasteful and contentious exercise that creates unnecessary animosities as well. To address these alleged “problems,” the 2012 EC will form a committee of past presidents and legal advisors to recommend constitutional modifications to the electoral process. For example, the costly yearly elections can be avoided or at least improved, either by, 1. Selecting the executive council through a nomination process like many other community organizations do, or 2. The executive council can be elected for a 2-year-term. The Constitution Committee will make other appropriate changes as well. Other areas that will receive immediate attention from the EC and me will be: India Center: We have been talking about establishing an India Center for a long time now. Many past presidents have made a sincere effort to achieve this goal. Despite their best efforts, this dream remains elusive. The 2012 EC will form yet another committee of community leaders, past presidents, donors, real estate experts and developers and financial consultants. This committee will guide IALI and provide answers and various options to fulfill this long-held dream of the Indian-American community on Long Island to have a communal space of its own, which can be used for various worthwhile activities. Health: We will organize more frequent health seminars. Seniors: We will work with other senior organizations to make IALI’s Senior Program for the aging members of our growing community, which is the need of the hour, more successful. As a medical professional, I will personally invite my fellow health professionals to make presentations on health-oriented and other topics related to seniors. Youth: In the past few years, IALI has made great strides in reaching out to and energizing the youth in the community through the various Youth Forum activities. We will continue to improve upon this effort and make this forum stronger by increasing the number of programs of consequence to the youth. Women: IALI’s popular Women’s Forum Program holds monthly meetings where it organizes a number of activities relevant to women of all ages. This year, besides the usual chairperson, we have added few co-chairs to make the program more interesting and meaningful and to increase participation. Collaborating: Our presence is more palpable and more momentous when we join hands with others. The Town of North Hempstead has been celebrating Asian American Festival for last two years. Five countries from Asia--China, Japan, Korea, Pakistan and India--participate in this festival to showcase their culture. IALI will continue to take the lead to represent India in this highly visible event. Once again, my congratulations to all of you for your membership and support for this outstanding, secular organization and our heartfelt thanks from the executive council and me personally, for maintaining the Indian-American community’s presence on Long through IALI, which you could make your own, by staying involved. We welcome your ideas, suggestions and concerns. Please feel free to communicate with me directly at ssranu00@hotmail.com. I look forward to serving you and working with you.

BE A MEMBER OF INDIA ASSOCIATION OF LONG ISLAND

For Membership Application log on to www.ialiny.org. Newsletter currently mailed to IALI members only

IALI’s Oath-Taking Installation Ceremony IALI’s Oath Taking Installation Ceremony was held at Town of North Hempstead’s Town Hall. Town Supervisor Honorable Jon Kaiman, officiated the ceremony by administering the oath of office to all IALI’s elected officials and the ad hoc committee members. Other dignitaries present during ceremony included Town Clerk Hon. Leslie Gross, Receiver of Taxes Hon. Charles Berman and Councilwoman Hon. Viviana Russell. Other local community leaders, IALI past presidents and IALI members with their families and friends were also in attendance. The program commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance followed by the National Anthems of both the United States of America and India. The Newly Elected Officials of IALI Executive Council 2012 sworn in were: Four Officers: President – Dr. Sukhvinder Ranu; Vice President - Ms. Jaya Bahadkar; Secretary – Ms. Rekha Valliappan; Treasurer- Ms. Bina Sabapathy and eight Members-at-Large: Ms. Saroj Aery; Mr. Ajay Batra; Ms. Nishi Behl; Ms. Damayanti Goklani; Ms. Anjana Kashyap; Ms. Veena Lamba; Ms. Rashmi Mittle and Mr. Satnam Parhar. Committee Chairs/ Co-Chairs sworn in included: Finance - Mr. Prasad Kambhampaty; Cultural – Ms. Gunjan Rastogi; Membership – Ms. Shashi Malik; Women’s Forum – Ms. Lalita Mansukhani; Ms. Indra Puri; Ms. Shoba Prakash; Legislative Affairs – Mr. Mohinder Singh Taneja; Legal Advisor – Mr. Anand Ahuja Esq IALI President Dr. Sukhvinder Ranu in his speech for the occasion outlined his agenda and plans for the year, including voicing the readiness of IALI to enter mainstream America in future events. The Ceremony concluded with a Vote of Thanks by IALI Secretary Ms. Rekha Valliappan. Light refreshments were served.

Ranu Sukhvinder

Ajay Batra

Anand Ahuja

Rohini Ramanathan

Beena Kothari

Bina Sabapathy

Anjana Kashyap

Gunjan Rastogi

Indra Puri

Indu

Kishore Kuncham

M.S.Taneja

Rena Malik

Sheetal Uppal

? ? ? ? ? Brij Gulati

Shashi Mailk

xxxxx

xxxxxxx

xxxxxxxxx

IALI Events at a Glance Event

Date & Time

Venue

Contact Names

Contact No./E-mail

YAS Cocktail “Meet & Greet” Party

April 6 7 p.m.

Mint, 1 Ring Road, Garden City, NY. (516307-8677)

Rena Malik or Sheetal Uppal

ialiyoungadults@ gmail.com

Annual Senior Luncheon

April 22 Noon-4 p.m.

Royal Bukhara Grill, 70 Nishi Behl or Brij Broadway, Hicksville, Gulati: NY

Asian American Festival

May 19 Noon-6 p.m.

North Hempstead Beach Park, 175 West Shore Road, Port Washington.

S. Ranu, MD or Jaya Bahadkar

(917)715-2883) (516)216-5220

Annual Dinner

June 17 6 p.m.-11p.m.

Leonard’s of Great Neck. 555 Northern Blvd, Great Neck, NY. (516-487-7900)

S. Ranu, MD

(917) 715-2883.

Atlantic City Trip

June 24

Bally’s Casino

Jaya Bahadkar or Ved Behl

(516)216-5220 (631)368-3571

Family Picnic

July 15 Noon-6 p.m.

Eisenhower Park, Field Jaya Bahadkar #6

(516)216-5220

India Fest

August 12 Noon-10 p.m.

Hyatt Regency Hotel, 1717 Motor Parkway, Hauppauge, NY.

Beena Kothari

(631)586-1579

Diwali

November 16 7 p.m. to midnight

Akbar: 2 South Street, Garden City, NY. (516248-5700)

S. Ranu, MD Rekha Valliappan Jaya Bahadkar Bina Sabapathy

(917)715-2883) (631)923-0660 (516)216-5220 (516)-965-2931

General Body Meeting

December 16 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

TBD

S. Ranu, MD Rekha Valliappan

(917)715-2883) (631)923-0660

Valentine Dinner and Dance The first major event of the year to date was Valentine Dinner and Dance held on February 12 at Long Island Marriott Hotel in Uniondale, attended by 250 guests, including members of the current executive council, past presidents, other community and business leaders and other dignitaries. Town of North Hempstead supervisor Honorable Jon Kaiman was the chief guest. A talent show produced three sets of winners and the winners are: Mrs. Rekha and Mr. Jatinder Chichara, Mrs. Mona and Mr. Balwant Parmar and Mrs. Meena and Dr. Krishna Jhaveri. The winners received attractive prizes sponsored by Mrs. and Mr. Prasad Kambhapaty, IALI’s Finance Chairperson.

631-368-3571 631-656-6525

The cocktail fare and Copper-Wok’s delicious dinner offerings were something to brag about. As well and so was entertainment provided by the troupe B4U The wide range of raffle prizes included free night stay at Marriott with complimentary breakfast, two American Express gift cards at a value of $100 each, I Pod Touch, a Kindle, DVD/VCR combo by Ranu Family, dinner for two sponsored my many local restaurants, gift certificate from Rose Boutique, grocery coupon from Apna Bazar and free facials and cosmetic baskets from Mehak and Herbal Destination. President Dr. Ranu thanked all the sponsors and everyone present for their support.

IALI’s Annual Fund Raising Dinner

India Association of Long Island (IALI) is one of the largest and oldest organizations on Long Island. It is a community-based non-profit 501C (3) entity (Tax ID: 11-2539617), with a mission to promote, share and celebrate the culture of India. Its Annual Fund Raising Dinner was started in 1979. At this event, distinguished Indians are honored for their outstanding accomplishments. A professionally developed Souvenir Journal is published creating an opportunity to advertise and sponsor your products, and well wishes to the honorees and to the association, which is circulated among the 1500 members and prominent community leaders. This year’s Fund Raising Dinner will be held on Sunday, June 17, 6 p.m. at Leonard’s of Great Neck, NY.

IALI’s Executive Council cordially invites your participation in this community celebration by choosing any of the following levels of sponsorship: Category

What this Sponsorship or Journal Ad includes

Rate

Platinum

- Back Page Advertisement in the Journal - Two Tables of Ten each - Company Banner Display in the Ballroom - Recognition from the podium - Plaque for the company

$10, 000 USD

Gold

- Inside Front Page or Inside Back Page Ad in the Journal - One table of Ten - Recognition from the podium - Plaque for the sponsor

$5,000 USD

Silver

- Full Color Page in the Journal - One table of ten - Recognition from the podium

$3,000 USD

Bronze

- Full Color Page in the Journal - Two Tickets - Recognition from the podium

$2,000 USD

Back Page

Journal Ad

$3,000.00 USD

Front Inside Page

Journal Ad

$2,000.00 USD

Back Inside Page

Journal Ad

$2,000.00 USD

Gold Page

Journal Ad

$1,000 USD

Color Page

Journal Ad

$500 USD

Half Color Page

Journal Ad

$300 USD

Committee Reports and Announcements

Young Adults Section (YAS) “YAS is focused on nurturing the common interests of Long Island’s Indian-American youngsters, twenty-one years and older through social gatherings, which will serve as a space for young Indian-American professionals to network and share many moments of joy and fun together as well. Our first event for the year will the “Meet & Greet” Cocktail Party at Mint. Please see calendar of events for contact details.

IndiaFest 2012 “IndiaFest 2012,”one of IALI’s most anticipated and biggest annual event will be held on Sunday, August 12th, just preceding India’s 66th Independence Day, at Hyatt Regency Hotel in Hauppauge. “IndiaFest” spells nothing but an all round festive and gala feel for one and all. From India’s hoary traditions, like its classical arts to its modernday funky and vibrant Bollywood gigs will be on display at the Fest. And so will its colorful arts and crafts creations, a myriad, mouth-watering and eye-popping regional cuisine, a fashion show, designer clothing and jewelry, youth and children’s activities and even spiritual and yoga art and much more. As always, free gifts and amazing raffle prizes will be yet another attraction at this what could be end up being the ultimate experience in cultural enrichment and free entertainment. The success of IndiaFest depends on your participation. So, come one, come all along with your family and friends to this fun-filled, “India-onLong Island” mid-summer celebration! For further details, please check the events calendar or call Beena Kothari at (631) 586-1579.

Seniors Forum ILAI’s Senior Program was initiated in 2000 with a “SENIOR LUNCHEON.” From year 2004 on, a regular “Senior Get–together” began to be held on the second Saturday of every month from 2.00 to 5.00 P.M. at 423 Park Avenue, the Huntington Senior Citizen Center, a free space provided by the Town of Huntington abutting the Huntington Arts Cinema. Activities offered at the Center include: Yoga, Bingo, memory games et al. Additionally, professional speakers on subjects of interest to seniors share their knowledge and expertise from the participants’ individual, social and cultural perspective. Important festivals and national holidays such as Holi, Diwali, Independence and Republic Days are celebrated. Also, observed are the anniversaries and birthdays of members present whose special days the day might be. The 18th semi-annual senior luncheon will be held at Royal Bukhara Grill in Hicksville on April 22. All senior lunches are conducted in collaboration with the National Indo-American Association for Senior Citizens (NIAASC)

Membership Already, in less than three months into the New Year, the IALI membership has seen a healthy growth. Our goal is to exceed the current membership of 1500. To achieve this, we are reaching all out to friends, family and associations in New York. In addition, we are also advertising far and wide in local newspapers highlighting the benefits of becoming an IALI member—how it makes the community stronger as well.

IALI welcomes the following 18 new members: Life: Ashish and Rakhee Batra; Sudhir and Sangeeta Kakar; Umesh and Meenakshi Malik; Drs. Ajay and Smita Lodha; Mr. Tirlok and Anusuya Malik; Mr. Gary and Ravinder Sikka; Mr. Sumit and Dr. Tina Jussal; Mr. Vishal and Mrs. Bhavna Sharma; Mr. & Mrs. Bhavna Aggarwal; Senior Life Membership; Mr. Chandra and Virender Madan; Mr. Harkishin and Padma Sharma; Mr. Lalit and Renu Ahluwalia.

Annual:

Mr. Anil and Asha Dua;14. Mr. Emanuel and Rajni Masih; Mr. Nirmal Singh and Baljinder Kaur.

Single Life: Mr. Manish Chugh; Mr. Ajay Sikka

Single Senior Life: Mr. Satish Joshi Please grow IALI even further by inviting your nonmember friends and family to join the Association. For membership Information contact: Shashi Malik, E-mail: ialimembership12@gmail.com; Phone: 516 633 5229; www.ialiny.org

Women’s Forum

Women’s Forum was started in 2005. This fun platform offers the participants the opportunity to mingle, engage in physical activity led by pros, play recreational games, celebrate various holidays, informally display their talents like singing, poetry recitation, dance and to observe participants’ birthdays/anniversaries. From time to time, guest speakers who are women’s health, nutrition, personal grooming experts and professionals in other such areas are invited. February 3, 2012 ‘Valentine’s Day’ was celebrated as ‘Heart Awareness Day’ at Mint Restaurant in Garden City. On February 14, the actual Valentine’s Day, women all over the country wore red symbolizing the heart. About 80 women attended the event and two vendors sold jewelry and clothes. What more could a woman of means ask for? And for that matter, what more could a sputtering economy ask for? On the whole, the occasion was a treat for one and all what with all the lively entertainment, food for thought, Mint’s delicious cuisine, the shopping, not to mention the mutual admiration among those present. On March 2nd, the Forum celebrated ‘Holi.” Preening in white as well as colorful attire were about 64 women in attendance. On April 6th, ‘Vaisakhi’ was celebrated, a ‘dhol’ player and 90 women gracing the occasion. Women’s Forum meets on the 1st Friday of each month at 12 noon for lunch at Mint in Garden City, Long Island. For more details contact Veena Lamba at (516) 395-1468.

Editorial The Leap

April, a month that heralds the long-awaited warmer days, also, based on the lunar calendar, marks New Year for most Indian-Americans of the Hindu and Sikh faiths. For many others, New Year (called Baisakhi in one language) is the day after Diwali. Such is the diversity of this population that there is no one single day at the end of a year when a common new year begins. While IALI is an Indian-American organization, unfortunately, it does not reflect India’s diversity. This can change only when members of this community put aside their differences in language and customs and perceive themselves as Indian-American and not just as a minority Telugu-American, Malayalee-American, Punjabi-American, Bengali-American (to my dismay, a successful American writer of Bengali origin is often referred to by this moniker in the main stream media), Gujarati-American et al. (Disclaimer: In the interest of space, I listed only a few possibilities). Of course, at the end of the day, just an un-hyphenated American! Just like India, the US, too, accommodates individual differences. This, sometimes, inadvertently, arrests assimilation by some communities, leading to these communities remaining as islands unto themselves, never having to learn or master the English language, USA’s lingua franca. Often, while, “no choice-but-to-swim” survival in a new land can be accomplished, and even a certain amount of recognition, status and, perhaps, large pots of wealth as well can be, when it comes to persuasive skills, such a community may not see much success. I have often heard many an Indian-American community leader bemoaning their limited reach into places where it really matters, like, for example, among politicians or other influential mainstream individuals or groups. In other words, feeling frustrated over not possessing a certain clout that is needed to be noticed in ways that mattered.

This clout is important, both in the short and the long run and it comes through by being organized and projecting the community’s strength through strong organizations that can serve as a single voice for the whole community. This kind of strength has to begin with a large membership base accompanied by mutual respect and cooperation. Certainly, Indian immigrants who have had a high rate of success in getting elected and holding high positions in corporations exist, but for grass root organizations to have ‘actionable” clout, an organization such as IALI needs to have a stronger presence so it can act as a true conduit between the community and the powers that be. The process certainly began at IALI’s inception 34 years ago, but now, the need of the hour is to make the next leap where the community as a whole benefits. “Photo ops” are just fine, but these connections must move beyond surface bonhomie. IALI is on the right track, but more selfless-not necessarily all glory-oriented--work by its officials and a larger member base reflecting the community’s diversity is what will help it make this leap.

Special Mention Mr. Peter Bheddah, a businessman, a philanthropist and a prominent member of the Indian-American community, not to mention IALI’s Finance Committee co-Chair, has been selected to receive the Ellis Island Medal of Honor on May 12, 2012. The Ellis Island Medals honor the rich diversity of American life. Recognized by both houses of the U.S. Congress, the Medal pays homage to the immigrant experience and also celebrates the pluralism and democracy that have enabled America’s immigrants through generations to maintain one’s individual identity while becoming an integral part of the American Way of life. Each year’s recipients are read into the Congressional Record. Past medalists include six US presidents, as well as Nobel Prize winners and leaders of industry, education, the arts, sports and government. Between 1892-1954, Ellis Island was the gateway to America for over 12 million immigrants. The Medal of Honor awards were established in 1986 by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations (NECO).

Message from President Ranu: On behalf of IALI’s executive council, I congratulate our finance committee co-chair Mr. Peter Bheddah for being selected to receive the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor for 2012. This is a proud moment for all of us. Please join me in congratulating Mr. Bheddah for a welldeserved honor-- Best Regards, Sukhvinder Ranu, MD

Other Community Events & News  On March 22, marking Women’s History Month, The Indian American Forum, Inc. of Garden City, Long Island, awarded their Outstanding Women’s Achievement awards to the following Long Island women: Mrs. Manmeet Lamba (Community Actvist), Mrs. Lavina Melwani (Outstanding Journalist), Mrs. Meena Chopra (Business Entrepreneur), Mrs. Chanbir Kaur (Vice President, Community Bank), and Mrs. Satya Pradeep (Classical Bharat Natyam Dance Instructor) at its Outstanding Women’s Achievement Gala at Stuart Thomas Manor, Farmingdale, NY.  On March 31,The tri-state, Telugu Literary Cultural Association (TLCA) celebrated Ugaadi, the Telugu New Year Day at the Ganesh Temple in Flushing with dance and music by local talent, a medley of 80 years of Telugu talkies, a skit, comedy and musical night by artists from India and a sumptuous dinner.  The National Indo-American Association for Senior Citizens (NIAASC) will hold its 23rd Conference on Seniors on Friday, June 1. The theme will be “Aging in Place.” For more details visit www.niaasc.org or Contact Rajeshwar Prasad, NIAASC President. 631 698-0512.

 The timely and topical eBook AAPI’s Nutrition Guide to Optimal Health: Using Principles of Functional Medicine and Nutritional Genomics penned by MDs and RDs (Registered Dieticians), and published by The American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) can be accessed and downloaded by visiting www.aapiusa.org and then clicking on “Resources “ and then on aapi’s eBook on Nutrition. Stay tuned for details on a discussion on the eBook led by its originator Rita Batheja MS RD CDN on Sunday June 10 from 11 am to 2:00 p.m. organized by GOPIO LI chapter in collaboration with IALI, AAPI-QLI and other Long Island organizations.

Remaining Commemorative Days and Holidays (2012) April13, Baisakhi; May 13, Mother’s Day; May 28, Memorial Day; June 19, Father’s Day; June 21, first day of summer; July 4, Independence Day (USA); August 15, Independence Day (India); August 19, Idu’l Fitr; September 3, Labor Day; September 9, Grandparent’s Day; September 23, first day of autumn; October 2, Mahatma Gandhi’s B’day; October 24, Dussehra; October 8, Columbus Day; November 13, Deepavali; October 31, Halloween; November 4, End of Daylight Savings and beginning of Standard Time; November 6, Election Day; November 28, Guru Nanak Dev’s B’day; November 11, Veteran’s Day; November 22, Thanksgiving Day; December 22, first day of winter; December 25, Christmas Day; December 31, New Years Eve