NEW YORK: IOC USA leaders, members, families and friends joined together at its annual meet to celebrate its successful activities in 2024 on November 22, 2024 in Manhattan, New York where over 120 attendees partook in the celebrations and the holiday festivities under auspice of its President Mohinder Singh Gilzianwho welcomed the members and the guests and thanked them for their hard work in 2024 and, noting that , although the Indian Congress Party missed the mark by a very small margin, it had nonetheless leaped forward in the Lok Sabha elections to the forefront causing jitters to BJP.
Sri Rahul Gandhi made a quick short visit to USA following the Lok Sabha elections where he addressed IOC officers and members, Diplomats, Think Tanks, universities, students, businessmen, investors, international media, U.S. Congressmen, the Indian diaspora and friends. He was warmly received in Dallas and Washington D.C. where huge crowds greeted him and rejoiced his success.
The evening began by Secretary-General Harbachan Singh giving a rousing and a warm welcome to everyone. He had just returned from India after the campaign season for Vidhan Sabha Elections in Haryana and three other states and expressed great satisfaction in the efforts of the Indian Congress Party especially in Jammu and Kashmir.
Harbachan ji first conveyed the greetings and best wishes from Global Chairman Dr. Sam Pitroda ji whoalso pointed out that Shri Rahul Gandhi’s passion has always been to ensure that democracy is practiced in all its forms, with focus on development, inclusion, diversity, freedom, justice, economy, unemployment, climatic control, education, health, safety, and security in international affairs. He reminded that the 5 million Indian diaspora in USA had a strong presence in technology education, education, health, business, banking and government was a significant resource to contend with as this is critical to the largest and the oldest democracies and rest of the world. He praised everyone for their devotion and efforts and signed off by wishing everyone a wonderful evening and Happy Holidays.
Harbachan ji announced the names of recent new appointments by the Central Working Committee in IOC USA to new positions and distributed account statements for the approval by the Executive Committee members. Both items were unanimously endorsed. He then commended both Dr. Joshua Jaya singh and Pradeep Samala for their extraordinary work related to souvenirs and account. Harbachan ji applauded the courage, contributions, sacrifice and the zeal of all the leaders for their sustained outstanding service to IOC.USA during the year.
The father of General Secretary Ms. Sophia Sharma, from Jammu and Kashmir was respectfully welcomed with a shawl by President Mohinder Singh Gilzian. Vice President Baldev Randhawa, who provided heavy lift support himself, in his speech, paid special tribute to members who successfully supported IOC.USA in hosting Shri Rahul Gandhi during all his recent visits to USA.
Pradeep Samala, Working President of North-East Zone of IOC.USA recognized several leaders and supporters of the National Congress Party. New Jersey Chapter president Pradip Kothari, who had brought a contingent of over 15 members to the event was very proud of his team and their efforts. He expressed confidence that the Congress Party will triumph in the future. In the absence of Punjab Chapter President Gurmit Gill, Sukhwinder Singh(President, New York Unit of Punjab Chapter) received the “Distinguished Service Award” on his behalf. He said he was grateful for the Award to the Chapter President and expressed a greater show of strength by the Punjab Chapter and happy outcomes in the future.
Others leaders who received Awards included: Vice-President Baldev Singh Randhawa, Tamil Nadu Chapter President Dr. Joshua Jayasingh, Pennsylvania Chapter President Jaswinder Singh Kang(who pledged his Chapter’s stronger support for IOC.USA in the future, and was the first person to standup and contribute his support for Shri Rahul Gandhi’s visits), Washington DC Chapter President Johnson Myalil, General Secretary Sharath Chandra Vemuganti, Jagadesh Yalamanchali, Bala Swaminathan, Dr. Malla Reddy and Pailla families. All recipients graciously acknowledged the awards with gratitude in their respective speeches.
Other important leaders who spoke included; General Secretary Sophia Sharma, Presidentof New York Chapter of IOC.USA Imran Pasha, President of Karnataka Chapter of IOC.USA Rajiv Gowda, former President of Kerala Chapter Ms. Leela Maret, and distinguished members from the audience like Dr. Anurita Kapurand Mahesh Patel.
The reception ended with cheers and all the attendees in a total joyful mood having once again cemented firmly their bonds of comradery with each other.
