CHICAGO – Under the leadership of Advisory Committee headed by Ms Neelam Dwivedi,, the ISKCON Naperville raised over $500,000 at Ashyana’s glittering gala banquet that India’s iconic legend Ms Hema Malini presided. She was there at behest of Ms Sangita Kapoor. The 15 May 2022 fundraiser is to benefit Naperville–based new ISKCON Temple’s third phase construction.

CHICAGO - Under the banner of the US India Friendship Council, Ms Nirmala Reddy organized the book-launch of the book titled 'Yogi Who Transformed Uttar Pradesh.' Its author Mr Shantanu Gupta was present during the book launch.

Federation of India Associations Chicago (FIA Chicago), at a glittering ceremony celebrated India’s 73^rd Republic Day in Chicago; and, in presence of three US Congressmen, installed its new Executive team with Rakesh Malhotra as its President. Ranking Congressman Danny Davis, Congressman Brad Schneider, and Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi were present. Also present was Amit Kumar, India’s Midwest Consul General as Chief Guest. FIA Chicago's new Executive Committee comprises: Rakesh Malhotra, President; Rajesh (Raj) Patel, Ex Officio Past President; Hemant Patel, Executive Vice President; Jayesh Patel, Vice President; Amar Upadhaya, Vice President; Amitabh Mittal, Vice President; Jatinder Singh Bedi, Secretary; Chirag Chavda, Joint Secretary; Vijender Doma, Treasurer; and Nirmala Reddy, Joint Treasurer. Bhailal Patel and Kantibhai N Patel, Trustees FIA administered the ‘Oath of Office’ to the incoming Executive Committee.

CHICAGO – ‘Kashmir Files’ a feature film based on exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Kashmir Valley during 1990s was screened in a Chicago suburb on 12 Dec 2021. The screening was part of an ongoing string of film’s screenings that ‘Global Kashmiri Diaspora,’ is organising across the United States. Locally based book reading collective named ‘Indica’ organized the Chicago screening under aegis of its executive Mr Rakesh Malhotra, who is also President-Elect of the Federation of India Associations (FIA). He was assisted by other FIA executives to include: Mr Amar Upadhaya, Ms Nirmala Reddy, Mr Hemant Patel, and Mr Abhinav Raina. Mr Soman Dhar also assisted.

Indian competence, linguistic prowess, and a higher level of education are the triggers for relocation to countries, which have eased visa rules to attract talent.

A  group  of  40  highly  accomplished  Hindu  women  met  at  the  Gaylord  India  Restaurant  and announced  the  formation  of  the  Chicagoland  Chapter  of  “Hindu  Women’s  Network”  an initiative of World Hindu Council of America VHPA.   There  was  invited  panel  of  three  women  from  the  Hindu  Community  who  have  achieved success in fields of Medicine, Media and Politics.

We are faced with a partial government shutdown because of congressional deadlock over budget. This has happened before, and we have survived it.

NAPERVILLE - Foxvalley Ganesh Utsav Samithi (FVGUS) celebrated the Ganesh festival with pomp and gaiety for the sixth year in a row. FVGUS started the first Public Ganesh celebrations in the Chicago area in 2016 and is continuing the tradition. The devotees thronged the pandal to witness the daily religious rituals, bhajans and cultural programs. Kids performances were the highlight of the event.

Indian citizens with a valid US visa/green card or having a residency of UK/EU will now be eligible for UAE visa on arrival. The visitors will need to follow all pandemic time requirements for travel."If you are an Indian citizen, you are now eligible to apply for a visa when you arrive in the UAE, including Abu Dhabi. 

MAMTA-MODI DEUL CLANKS IN MILWAUKEE
By Jatinder Singh Bedi, Chief Editor, Hello NRI

MILWAUKEE – Under the bandobast of Milwaukee socialite Ms Purnima Nath, pro-Hindu groups held a vociferous protest in Milwaukee demanding security and protection to the Hindus living in India’s West Bengal. Vishwa Hindu Parishad (USA) General Secretary Mr Amitabh Mittal attended the protest. Hindu Swamsevak Sangh (HSS), Global Kashmiri Diaspora, and the Kashmiri Overseas Association also participated. Some members of the AAPI (Association of American Physicians of Indian Origin) also attended.