Indian American Forum

Indian American Forum Inc. (IAF) is a non for profit organization of Asian Indians in America to promote the cultural, secular heritage and values of India as well as the furtherance of friendship and understanding with people of other cultural backgrounds.

Since 1997, IAF is striving to provide a forum for fostering a mutual and better understanding through its socio-cultural activities and enjoys a very cordial relationship amongst local associations and communities.

IAF various activities that include Indian American Night; Celebrating India Independence Day, Outstanding Women’s Achievement Gala, International Children Day, and others are organized as self-funded activities. These have been possible through our motivated and dedicated volunteers who work tirelessly to make each of the activity as a success.

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14th OUTSTANDING WOMEN’S ACHEIVEMENTS AWARDS GALA 2025

Celebrating the strength, resilience, and remarkable achievements of women, with the aim of Inspiring others to understand and value women’s inclusion to forge a better world, Indian American Forum honored several dignified and accomplished women of substance at their 14th Annual Women’s Achievements Awards Gala this past weekend at the Akbar Banquet in Long Island.

Under the leadership of Chairperson Indu Jaiswal and Gala Chair Shammi Singh, known for their strong commitment and dedication to the community cause, along with the entire team of IAF, were the organizing force behind the GALA, celebrating the success of the outstanding achievements by these distinguished personalities in the presence of many accomplished guests and community leaders.

Several distinguished women, representing various sectors were recognized and honored. The honorees were presented with special citations from Nassau County Executive, Town of Oyster Bay, Town of Hempstead, Town of North Hempstead and Nassau County Legislature.

Our distinguished awardees and honorees included:

Jagmohan Kalra, MD -> Board certified Hematologist-oncologist, a renowned community leader and Karaoke group owner and singer.
Leena Doshi – Founder of Doshi Diagnostics and non-profit Doshi Smiles, an athlete, philanthropist and painter.
Nita Mehta – Specialization in Ophthalmology and glaucoma. Board member of Indian Cultural Unit at Parker Jewish Institute and on the board/committee of several organizations like Rotary, Indo-American Senior citizen center of NY, India Home and GGKLI.
Sarina Jain – Founder of Masala Bhangra – A trailblazer in fitness and a dynamic cultural ambassador revolutionizing fitness through culture and movement celebrating over 30 years in the fitness industry.

Falu (Falguni Shah) – Grammy Award winning multi-lingual singer/songwriter, recognized by Economic Times as one of the 20 most influential Indian women and named as one of the Top 50 Global leaders from India in Business and Arts.

Sanjana Iyer – Youth Empowerment

Syosset school senior and professional Bharatnatyam dancer and musician, two times DECA state qualifier, Two time speech and debate LIFA qualifier using her professional dance experience for Parkinson’s research fund raising.

Several Officials including Nassau County Comptroller Hon. Elaine Phillips, Town Supervisor Hon. Joseph Saladino, Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena, Hon Rose Walker, Nassau County Legislature and Deputy Supervisor Hon. Dorothy L. Goosby, were respectfully invited and welcomed by Dr. Bobby Kalotee, portrayed the women empowerment and success.

Starting with the beautiful décor and warm welcome with sumptuous appetizers, the evening started with American and Indian National Anthem followed by a rocking welcome by hosts Indu Jaiswal, Roopam Maini and Shammi Singh.

Traditional Bharatnatyam and Kathak dance performances portrayed true colors of our rich culture. Sarina Jain from Masala Bhangra rolled the feet of audience with her powerful Bhangra dance moves. DJ Parminder rocked the dance floor.

Several distinguished political and community leaders, IAF Board of Trustees, Members, Volunteers, supporters and audience graced the occasion applauding the distinguished accomplishments of women honorees. Several Board of Trustees and community leader in presence included Dr Bhupendra Patel, Mukund Mehta (Indo-American Senior Citizens of NY), Jasbir (Jay) Singh, Anil and Sunil Jain (Vass Pipe), Dr. Nitin Doshi (Doshi Diagnostics), Beena Kothari (President-AIA), Flora Parekh (President – Gift of Life USA), Dr. Bhavani Srinivasan (AAPIQLI), Ravi Bhooplapur (Xaviers Medical College), Shashi Malik (SEVA center for Humanity), Vimal Goyal & Deepak Bansal (IDPUSA), Rotary Club, Lions Club, Sandy Bhatia (Flushing Bank), Rizwan Quereshi (HAB Bank), Dr. Mamta Shaha, Kalpana Patel (UCI), Sudhir & Swati Vaishnav, Vijay Goswamy, Anju & Sanju Sharma (Registration), Dr. Jagdish Gupta, Dr. Kukar, Dr. Prachi Dua, several past honorees and many other organization leaders. Our sincere gratitude to outstanding media professionals for their generous coverage and support. Aashmeeta Yogiraj emceed the event and concluded with a Thank you note from Roopam Maini and Shammi Singh. A beautiful souvenir journal was produced by Beena Kothari and Team highlighting IAF achievements, programs, events, advertisers, sponsors, supporters, committee and honorees. Entire IAF team with several volunteers were instrumental in making the event a grand success. It was indeed a very successful evening, showcasing and honoring outstanding women achievers, who are successful in business, cultural, professional, education, and medical. Community and social services.

Women's Gala 2025 Highlights

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India Republic Day 2024

On Friday evening, January 26th, 2024 under the leadership of Dr. Bobby K Kalotee, Chairman of the Nassau County Human Rights Commission, Vimal Goyal and Deepak Bansal , President IDPUSA , Indu Jaiswal Chairperson of Indian American Forum and the Indian Community leadership, the 75th India Republic Day was organized and celebrated as a wonderful event filled with Honor recognitions, cultural music, dances and performances at the Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building in Mineola NY.

India Republic Day celebrates India’s adoption of a republic constitution, after gaining independence from British rule.

At this auspicious occasion, present were Honorees, New York State Senator Steve Rhoads, Town Board Official’s Nassau County Controller Elaine Philips, Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Supervisor Jennifer DeSena. Other presiding officials present were Nassau County Deputy Executive Anissa Moore, NY State Assemblyman John Mikulin, Town of North Hempstead Clerk Ragini Srivastava, Nassau County Chief Deputy Executive Mr. Arthur Walsh, Nassau County Parks Commissioner Ms. Darcy Maccarone Belyea and Harry Malhotra who represented TOOB Supervisor Joseph Saladino among others.

A group sang the Indian National Anthem and the deliberations of the Republic Day Parade celebrations marking the day’s spectacular military and cultural pageantry as armed forces personnel marched along the Kartavya Path up to Vijay Chowk in New Delhi India on this auspicious day was shown in the background on TV screens.

Esteemed community leaders were honored with several Citations and awards. Honorees were Chintu Patel co-founder of Amneal Pharmaceuticals and Irada International Foundation which supports health, education, and community outreach projects in India and the United States – Harry Singh Chairman, President and CEO of Bolla Management Corp and a billionaire who owns a chain of gas stations and chair of the county’s Cricket Hospitality Committee – Dr. Narinder M Kukar an Endocrinologist specializing in diabetes and metabolism – Dr. Shefali Karkare, a Pediatrician and Neurologist – Dr Nakul Karkare, Orthopedic Surgeon, Harshad Patel President of Gujarat Samaj of New York, Manu Patel Senior Citizen, Pritpal Kaur of Preetnama TV – Mukesh Modi a film entrepreneur and Satinder Lovely Kaur, Director of Hum Hindustani.

Several other officials and leaders of the community present were honored with ‘Sarapa’ or a scarf. Special thanks given by Jasbir Jay Singh to NHCC Bard Director Dr Bobby K Kalotee for celebrating India Republic Day at NHCC with a ceremony and lighting of the Dynamic building in India’s Tri Colors Jau Hind,

Students of Shilpa Mithaiwala presented patriotic songs and dances and it created a patriotic atmosphere. Several community leaders and members of various organizations graced the event.

IDP President Vimal Goyal and Deepak Bansal were announced as the two Presidents to lead India Day Parade 2024 in Hicksville NY at India’s 74th Republic Day celebration in the Nassau County legislature building on this January 26th evening.

IAF Press release DIWALI Nassau County 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE
Nassau County Legislators Hon. Peter Smith Chamber was fully decorated with most colorful and Traditional Diwali Theme, Lord Ganesha and Diya. Program was IAF Diwali 2023 Celebration with Friends For Good Health and Chairman of Human Rights Commission of Nassau County Dr Bobby Kalotee with Hon. Bruce Blakeman County Executive, Hon. Elain Phillips NC Comptroller,NYS Senator Steve Rhoads ,Hon. Anthony D‘Esposito Congressman , Legislator Hon.Tom Mckevitt, Hon.Rose Marie Walker. Hon.Mazi Melesa Pilip, NYS Assemblyman Hon.Edward P.Ra, Hon.John K.Mikulin, Hon.Michael Durso Hon.Jennifer DeSena Supervisor Town of North Hempstead, to celebrate Diwali in Nassau county legislative building. Dr Bobby kumar kalotee hosted the event and introduced the officials and the community members. We always have hard working supervisors as well my friends Hon. Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin and Hon. Joseph Saladino Supervisor town of Oyster Bay and Supervisor Jennifer DeSena. Diwali Celebrations were held on Monday Nov 6,2023 in the Evening. Program started with Opening prayers by Bishop Phillip E. Elliott Followed with pledge of Allegiance.. Nassau County Executive Honorable Bruce Blakeman wished everyone a very Happy Diwali. Mr Blakeman in his remarks outlined the achievements of Indian American Community and praised their efforts and achievements in their profession. Nassau County Citations were presented to Dr Bhupendra R Patel, Mr Animesh Goenka, Mr Surinder Rametra, Dr Subhdra Nori, Mr Shiv Dass, Mr Arthur Pinkhasov, Ms. Olga Hasham and Dr Kabul Singh Pillars of our Community by Honorable County Executive. Dr Bobby Kumar Kalotee and the team presented special recognition and awards to Ms. Elaine Phillips Nassau County Comptroller and Honorable County Executive Mr Blakeman. Traditional Diya Lighting Ceremony done by Honorees and Honorable Guests. Indu Jaiswal Chairperson of Indian American Forun Welcomed everyone and thanked all volunteers and supporters. . Room was Fully packed , joining in several distinguished leaders and members of our Community. Indu spoke about importance of Diwali Holiday and , Congratulated Community efforts in making A Holiday for NY City Schools.. Vimal Goyal President of IDP USA introduced the Cultural program and participants. Opening prayers Ganesh Vandana done by Swami Jee, Colorful dance performances presented by students of Shilpa Mithaiwala and Shilpa Jhurani. Several distinguished members of the Community were present and enjoyed the program. Evening was hosted by Indian American Forum, IDPUSA, India Association of Long Island, Friends for Good Health, Arya Samaj of Long island and Association of Indians in America.. Thanks to Indu Jaiswal Vimal Goyal , Deepak Bansal, Vijay Goswamy , Bina Sabapathy, Shilpa Mithaiwala, Jyoti Gupta, Shashi Malik, Anju and Sanju Sharma, Wioleta D’souza for your Leadership and help in making the event successful along with Human Rights Commission from Nassau County. Once again wishing everyone Shubh Deepavali.