VOL. 2, # 1 JANUARY, 2020

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VOL. 2, # 1 JANUARY, 2020

THE YEAR AHEAD -2020 – NEW YEAR – NEW COMMITMENTS!!

The start of each new year brings a desire to make resolutions, predictions, and promises. We see a

ray of hope on the horizon, as we look to the future while resolving to improve upon the past year. We

accomplished much in 2019 in NFIA, there were activities in regions, along with several signature

events in Washington DC.

Let us put 2019 in perspective – we forged ahead

and documented your excellent work and

achievements. I think year 2020 calls for

continued efforts in raising the bar, a notch above

the last year’s performance. Let us re-dedicate

ourselves to the mission and goals of NFIA and

build more co-operative relationship with our

member and non-member community

organizations. We became the founding member

of AAUC, we highlighted activities of KOA in DC

and CA, Shivaji Maharaj celebration, Indian

American Heritage Foundation in CA and NCAIA in

Washington DC. We also joined in Indian

Embassy celebration of Mahatma Gandhi ji’s 150th birth anniversary and the 550th Guru Nanak Dev’s

birthday anniversary. You all belong to a great organization and let us keep working, and by doing

good work making NFIA strong. Let us crush it in 2020!!

With confidence in team,

Angela Anand – NFIA President

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LET’S SHOUT OUT – A MOMENT OF PRIDE FOR NFIA:

Mr. Lal Motwani, President and Chairman of the National Federation of Indian American Associations

(NFIA), 2010-2012, was honored along with several more at Parvasi Bharatiya Divas, in New York January 9, 2020. Each honoree was able to invite just a few family and friends to attend the event. Over 175 people attended in sub-zero temperatures early morning event in New York at the Consulate.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is a celebratory day observed (starting in 2015) on January 9 by the Republic

of India to mark the contribution of the overseas Indian community towards the development of India. The day commemorates the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to Ahmedabad on 9th of January 1915. Established in 2000, it is sponsored by the Ministry of External Affairs of the Government

of India. A celebratory event is held on 7–9 January every other year in an Indian city. The government of India does this event every two years but they have started doing the events regionally in odd years.

This year, Pravasi Bharatiya events were held in eight locations across the world. All events were

connected live with the main event in New Delhi. The event organized by the Ministry of External Affairs was keynoted by Minister S. Jaishankar. He was accompanied by V. Murleedharan, Union

Minister of State for External and Parliamentary Affairs and Vijay Thakur Singh, Secretary East, Ministry of External Affairs.

The Indian missions selected were from Perth, Paramaribo (Surinam), New York, Doha, Kula Lumpur, Singapore, London and Port Louis. NFIA founder and former President and GOPIO Chairman, Dr.

Thomas Abraham was selected to ask two questions during the proceedings. He was selected the representative from New York – another honor to shout out for NFIA. (see https://youtu.be/RlRRgAc7yRM) https://www.facebook.com/MEAINDIA/videos/591526741650173/

During the speech, Minister Jaishankar spoke highly of the accomplishments of Indians settled overseas, he said, “members of the diaspora have achieved great success in different walks of life and

by doing so, define both India’s capabilities and branding.” He said the Indians settled abroad, have, “each in their own way, like drops of water coming together, have created a vast reservoir of goodwill

for India.”

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Following Jaishankar’s address, Sandeep Chakravorty, Consul General of India in New York, recognized 21 individuals for their contributions in the field of politics, social work and service to the community.

Mr. Motwani has served as the President of Society of Indian American Engineers and Architects, and as the President of Alliance of Global Sindhi Associations (2015-2017). He is also the Member of

Multicultural Audience Development Initiative of the famous Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, and coordinated many Indian programs at the MET. In 2016, Mr. Motwani served as the Convener of GOPIO International Convention in New York City. Currently he serves as the International

Coordinator-at-Large of GOPIO International.

His community work ensued when he served in the Founding Team of the India Day parade in New York by the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) in New York in 1981 and continued as an officer of

the FIA in the 1980s. In 1989, he was in the Founding team of the GOPIO. Congratulations to Mr. Lal Motwani.

HONORED BY NFIA IN WASHINGTON DC IN 2019 AT WOMEN’S CONFERENCE:

Four former presidents were honored and the honored guest was Congressman Gregory Meek from New York at Rayburn building, Capitol, Washington DC. From left to right are Angela Anand, president, former presidents: Sohan Joshi, Lal Motwani, Congressman Gregory Meek, Ashok Madan, Subash Razdan, with their plaques and Sudip Gorakshakar, chairman.

Lal Motwani speaking at women’s conference in DC -2019.

RICH HERITAGE OF NFIA – RECIPIENTS OF PARVASI BHARTIYA DIVAS AWARD:

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Some stars shine on the galaxy for ever – some keep shooting up from time to time due to their achievements. Here are few they have been receiving accolades and awards frequently and raising the

profile of NFIA. Very proud of these gentlemen for their work and commitment to community service.

Here are our four stars and the year they received awards in India with lot of fanfare and festivities.

Nirmal Sinha, 2007, Thomas Abraham, 2008, Subash Razdan, 2013, Parthasarthy Pillai, 2014

NFIA – FIA – GOPIO LEADERSHIP CAME INTO BEING DUE TO WORK OF MR. NIRMAL

SINHA AND SEVERAL OTHERS LIKE HIM IN 1980’S:

Mr. Nirmal Sinha started the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) in Columbus in the 1980s and served as its President. The National Federation of Indian American Associations (NFIA) was formed in 1980 as an umbrella organization for all FIAs and Indian associations from various cities.

Mr. Sinha was the first person on Indian trajectory of stalwarts who received such a coveted Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award (Nonresident Indian Award) for community service and making efforts in

bringing people of India and the United States closer. He received it from the President of India, Mr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, in 2007.

Mr. Sinha has been a founding member of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO

International), a former Director of the National Federation of Indians in America (NFIA) and President of the Federation of Asian Indian Associations, Columbus.

He received very prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 2003, it was a grand culmination of a life

spent with dignity and honor as a first-generation immigrant from India. The Ellis Island Honor is presented annually to American citizens whose accomplishments in their field--and inspired service to

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the United States--are cause for celebration. Among those who have been embellished with this Honor include two Nobel Prize winners, seven past U.S. presidents, several world leaders and countless

captains of industry, and those who have excelled in education, fine and performing arts, and sports.

All of those honored have one common accomplishment— they have made freedom, liberty and

compassion a part of their life’s work. So being put in the same pedestal where once stood the likes of Rosa Parks, Gregory Peck, George W Bush, Jimmy Carter, Muhammad Ali, Gerald Ford, Rudy Giuliani, Bob Hope, Lee Iacocca, John McEnroe, Frank Sinatra, among others, was no mean feat for Nirmal

Sinha, the mechanical engineer from Bengal who made it big in the United States of America.

Mr. Sinha was appointed to the Ohio Civil Rights Commission from 1991 through 2006, the longest

appointee in the commission in the US. As a tribute to the work that he did and the impact that he made, the Nirmal

K. Sinha Commissioner Award was instituted by the Ohio Agency in 2006. Mr. Sinha was responsible for creating several outreach programs for various ethnic groups

including Asian and Hispanic communities. In October 2015 he was inducted into the Ohio Civil Rights Hall of

Fame. He is also the recipient of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Award, and several others.

He has been a part of three US trade delegations to India: the first one in 1998 with the Governor of

Ohio, the second time with President Bill Clinton in 2000, the third one in 2011 when Ohio’s Franklin County officials visited New Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

Mr. Sinha held the position of Deputy Director of Public Utilities in the City of Columbus, Ohio, US, a Mayoral appointment. He was President of Marketing, USA Group, and worked at American Electric Power, for over 22 years in a senior executive position. He has a Master’s Degree in Engineering from

the New York Polytechnic and attended the Executive Management Program at the Ohio State University and studied nuclear engineering in New York.

SATHEESAN NAIR - NFIA DIRECTOR AT LARGE:

Satheesan Nair, current NFIA board member, by profession is an Electrical Engineer. He is working as a

Senior R&D Engineer in GE Aviation. Satheesan is a well-known community leader. He is actively

involved in various community organizations and professional organizations.

He was the President of Midwest Malayalee Association of America, Indian Overseas Congress USA,

Karuna Foundation, Vice President of FIA Chicago, Kerala Hindus of North America, Convention

Convener of FOKANA, KHNA, Secretary of Geethamandalam, and in NFIA he started as Director at

Large, RVP-Central, Joint Secretary, Secretary, and Vice President and successfully Organized NFIA

Chicago convention as a convention Coordinator. He organized various political and social conferences

with ministers, MLA’S, MPs from India.

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Currently he is the Council member of Loka Kerala Sabha appointed by Govt. of Kerala, Vice President

of IOC USA, FIA Chicago, Trustee Member of KHNA, Midwest Malayalee Association, IOC Chicago,

Senior Member of IEEE, and coordinates various charitable donations throughout the year in India and

coordinates annual meal distribution for homeless. He received various community leadership awards

including US Congressman Danny Davis Community leadership Award.

.

PADMA GUPTA – PADMA GUPTA DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE, NFIA:

Padma Gupta was Born in a small town of Haryana and raised in the

city of Meerut UP India. She graduated from Agra University with

Master’s Degree in Sanskrit Language. Later graduated from Gharwal

University with Degree in Education with High Honor. She taught Hindi

at Convent School in the city of Rampur and Hardoi, UP, India.

She has been an active volunteer at several Community Organizations

Hindu Jain Temple of Pittsburgh, where initiated and executed several

fund-raising events for the temple, India Cultural Coordinating

committee, FIA-NCR, and now volunteering for NCAIA and serving NFIA

as a director- at- large.

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She has been an active volunteer at several Community

Organizations Hindu Jain Temple of Pittsburgh, where

initiated and executed several fund-raising events for

the temple, India Cultural Coordinating committee, FIA-

NCR, and now volunteering for NCAIA and serving NFIA

as a director- at- large.

She worked at the United States Patent & trademark

office, Alexandria Virginia & has now retired. Active

Participant at Geeta Study group. She feels inspired to

work at NFIA and thinks this is the most active community serving organization. She says she wants to

wish a grand success to all the programs launched by NFIA for the benefit of the community.

LOOKING TO MAKE A HEALTHY CHANGE FOR THE NEW YEAR? (extracted from Harvard

Medical School Newsletter-Heartbeat – with logo “trusted advice for healthy life”:

7 ways to jumpstart healthy change in your life

The day-to-day choices you make influence whether you maintain vitality as you age or develop life-

shortening illnesses and disabling conditions like heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and

stroke. You may understand exactly what you need to do to enjoy a healthier, happier life: carve out

time to exercise, perhaps, or find a way to ratchet down stress. There's just one hitch. You haven't

done it yet.

Often, the biggest hurdle is inertia. It's true that it isn't easy to change ingrained habits like driving to

nearby locations instead of walking, let's say, or reaching for a donut instead of an apple. However,

gradually working toward change improves your odds of success. Here are some strategies that can

help you enact healthy change in your life, no matter what change (or changes) you'd like to make.

Seven steps to shape your personal plan

Shaping your personal plan starts with setting your first goal. Break down choices that feel overwhelming into tiny steps that can help you succeed.

1. Select a goal. Choose a goal that is the best fit for you. It may not be the first goal you feel you should choose. But you're much more likely to succeed if you set priorities that are

compelling to you and feel attainable at present. 2. Ask a big question. Do I have a big dream that pairs with my goal? A big dream might be

running a marathon or climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, wiggling back into a closet full of clothes you

love, cutting back on blood pressure medication, or playing games and sports energetically with your children. One word to the wise: if you can't articulate a big dream, don't get hung up on

this step. You can still succeed in moving toward your goal through these other approaches. 3. Pick your choice for change. Select a choice that feels like a sure bet. Do you want to eat

healthier, stick to exercise, diet more effectively, ease stress? It's best to concentrate on just

one choice at a time. When a certain change fits into your life comfortably, you can then focus on the next change.

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4. Commit yourself. Make a written or verbal promise to yourself and one or two supporters you don't want to let down: your partner or child, a teacher, doctor, boss, or friends. That will

encourage you to slog through tough spots. Be explicit about the change you've chosen and why it matters to you. If it's a step toward a bigger goal, include that, too. I'm making a

commitment to my health by planning to take a mindful walk, two days a week. This is my first step to a bigger goal: doing a stress-reducing activity every day (and it helps me meet another goal: getting a half-hour of exercise every day). I want to do this because I sleep better, my

mood improves, and I'm more patient with family and friends when I ease the stress in my life.

5. Scout out easy obstacles. Maybe you'd love to try meditating, but can't imagine having the time to do it. Or perhaps your hopes for eating healthier run aground if you're hungry when you

walk through the door at night, or your kitchen cabinets and refrigerator aren't well-stocked with healthy foods.

6. Brainstorm ways to leap over obstacles. Now think about ways to overcome those roadblocks. Not enough time? I'll get up 20 minutes early for exercises and fit in a 10-minute walk before lunch. Cupboard bares of healthy choices? I'll think about five to 10 healthy foods I

enjoy and will put them on my grocery list.

7. Plan a simple reward. Is there a reward you might enjoy for a job well done? For example, if

you hit most or all of your marks on planned activities for one week, you'll treat yourself to a splurge with money you saved by quitting smoking, a luxurious bath, or just a double helping of the iTunes application "Attaboy." Try to steer clear of food rewards, since this approach can be

counterproductive.

SUBASH RAZDAN, CHAIR OF GANDHI FOUNDATION, RECEIVED MARTIN LUTHER KING

CENTER "DREAM FORWARD" AWARD FOR INTERNATION RELATIONS - JANUARY 14, 2020

The Kick-Off Reception, held on January 14, 2020, served as the opening event for the 2020 King Holiday Observance and an invitation to the public to join in honoring the life and work of Dr. Martin

Luther King, Jr. This event will culminated with the Dream Forward Community Service Awards presented in the

following categories: Faith-Based Leadership, Environmental Responsibility, Elected Officials, Media, International Affairs and Social Justice. Mr. Subash Rajdan received this honor for International Affairs. NFIA congratulates him and his family for the accolades and recognition he received.

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PICTORIAL DISPLAY OF ACTIVITIES OF NFIA FOR THE YEAR CAME AND GONE BY (2019):

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NATIONAL FEDERATION OF INDIAN AMERICAN ASSOCIATIONS HOLDS ANNUAL

CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTING TRAILBLAZERS AND DIGNITARIES:

(extracted partially form India West newspaper - https://www.indiawest.com/news/global_indian/national-federation-of-

indian-american-associations-holds-annual-conference-highlighting/article_030126de-f9b7-11e9-9b1b-

1b61b9a12780.html)

The National Federation of Indian

American Associations recently

held its annual two-day

conference in Washington, D.C.,

to discuss hot-button topics of

interest to the Indian American

community, as well as celebrate

various prominent individuals.

The first day of the event was held at the Rayburn building of

the Capitol and featured U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., among others. The gathering had

an interactive lunch with the community and was followed by

an invite-only briefing at the White House, according to a news release. Following the event, the NFIA board met for lunch to debrief about events and plan for future events, it said.

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IN MEMORIAM - NFIA LOST ONE OF THE REPUTED LEADER IN 2019:

NORWALK, Calif. — The Southern California Indian American community, including representatives of

many prominent organizations such as GOPIO, NFIA, FIA, Indian American Heritage Foundation, Indian

American Social Association, Indo American Senior Heritage, Rajput Association of America, Joy of

Sharing, Lions Club and many others, joined together at the Sanatan Dharma Temple here Oct. 20 to

pay homage and bid farewell to their beloved leader, Inder Singh, who passed away after a short

illness Sept. 27, just four days short of his 87th birthday. (story published in India West newspaper -

http://indiawest.com/news/global_indian/indian-american-community-in-southern-california-pays-

homage-to-inder/article_9130a086-f5bd-11e9-8629-e338af5bdc38.html)

ANOTHER LOSS OF A GREAT COMMUNITY LEADER FROM SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA:

Dilip Butani was the President of Federation of Indian-American Associations,

Southern California, USA. Federation is the parent Organization of Indian-

American Associations. The various activities organized by FIA include

celebration of Republic Day function, India Independence Day Mela, Health

Camps and various service - oriented programs. NFIA was saddened to hear

this news and offers condolences to his family. May God give the departed soul

rest and the courage to the family to cope with the loss.

NFIA is a 501c (3) association. NFIA’s newsletter aims to inform and to mobilize the Indian American

community nationally. It was founded four decades ago and has been continuing to work with the community

organizations in large metropolitan areas of the United States. Your suggestions on topics of interest and

NFIA’s member organizations activities and projects can be featured here and circulated with the help of this

communication tool. Please let us know if you like to receive the newsletter by giving us your best email

address.

Editor: Angela Anand, [email protected] Contributions to this issue were made by the following

individuals., Ex. Vice-President, Lavanya Reddy, Director-at-large, Pooja Thomre, Regional Vice President,

Amrik Kamoh, Shashi Agarwal and Angela Anand. Special thanks to India West for stories partially extracted

from the newspaper.