Dr Kamal Patel FIA's New President. Its 2021 Board Installed
by Jatinder Singh Bedi

CHICAGO - Dr Kamal Patel has been elected the new president of the FIA Chicago. He along with his newly elected Board Members were installed at a socially-distanced ceremony on 01 November 2020.

Speaking at the occasion, President Kamal Patel assured the members that under his leadership the FIA would rebounce with stellar events of pre-Corona days. All the events will be organized "more frequently" and at "a bigger scale" than ever before, he added. Dr Kamal stated that the ongoing pandemic will not be allowed to become an impediment in achieving the goals that he has set forth for FIA to achieve.

Recalling FIA's over 10-year long journey, President Kamal Patel congratulated the members for having brought the organization to the strong and sturdy level. He added, going forward he will give a pro-charitable incline to the organization. "Its charitable as well as health activities will be expanded to meet a much larger population in the greater Chicago region," Dr Kamal stressed. He streesed the need for deeper involvement with Chicago-based Indian American Medical Association to achieve this objective. A series of Preventive Care and Educational Seminars are on FIA's horizon, he said. "Added impetus will be given to enlarge the membership of the FIA," Dr Kamal Patel emphasized.

Earlier, addressing the audience, FIA Founder Sunil Shah welcomed the attendees and thanked them for their dedicated support to the FIA. He highlighted FIA achivements over the period of time. He narrated a list of FIA's welfare oriented events that the community has benefitted from. The examples he cited included: India Republic Day Celebrations; donations to the 'Feed My Starving Children' organization; Community Health Fair; Yoga Day; and, India Heritage Day with Windy City Bulls. "FIA also made an impressive contribution to the Schaumburg Food Pantry located in Chicago's suburb," Sunil Shah said. He also emphasized the FIA assistance to the visitors from India who got stranded here during the no-flight period at the onset of Corona.

FIA Founder Onkar Singh Sangha congratulated Dr Kamal Patel on becoming the FIA President. Onkar Sangha highlighted FIA's role in the community affairs. He stated that over the period of time, the FIA has established itself as a significant organization of the community and offers leadership at many fora. Onkar Singh Sangha stated that coordial relations amongst the members has been noteworthy and has contributed a lot in strengthening the organization. He made special mention of several founders whose efforts have added longivity to the FIA.

FIA Founder Onkar Singh Sangha congratulated Dr Kamal Patel on becoming the FIA President. Onkar Sangha highlighted FIA's role in the community affairs. He stated that over the period of time, the FIA has established itself as a significant organization of the community and offers leadership at many fora. He complimented the FIA members for putting in their best and making the organization sparkle. Onkar Singh Sangha stated that coordial relations amongst the members has been noteworthy and has contributed a lot in strengthening the organization. He made special mention of several founders whose efforts have added longivity to the FIA.

A moment of silence was observed to mark a respect to the people who died of Corona. Sunil Shah and Ms Varsha Visal conducted the event ceremonies and intorduced new inductees.

LIST OF THE FIA 2020 TEAM:
President: Dr Kamal Patel
Executive Vice President: Shital Daftari
Vice Presidents: Ms Vinita Gulabani, Altaf Bukhari, Pratibha Jairath, Harsh Shah, Hema Shastri, Ashwani Mahajan
Secretaries: Richa Chand, general; Jatinder Bedi, cultural
Joint Secretaries: Abir Maru, general; Ila Chaudhuri, cultural
Treasurer: Vaishal Talati
Joint Treasurer: Mukesh Shah
Founding Members & Past Presidents: Rita Singh, Sunny Kular, Dhitu Bhagwakar, Mukesh Shah,Neil Khot, Ninad Daftari, Gurmeet Dhalvan.
Advisory Board Members: Asha Oroskar, Manish Gandhi, Neil Patel, Smita Shah, Aishwarya Sharma, Brij Sharma, Pradeep Shukla, Keerthi Ravoori, Deepak Kant Vyas, Amarbir Ghoman, Vinoz Chanamolu, Syed Hussaini, Jasbir Suga, and Pinky Thakkar.
Directors: Chetan Patel, Varsha Visal, Vibha Rajput, Sonia Luther, Subbu Iyer, Jessi Singh, Anu Malhotra, Bharat Malhotra, Jitendra Bulsara, Ashima Washington, Vidya Joshi, Dr Afroz Hafeez, Mamta Taparia, Nirav Patel.