Desi News Ajit Gandhi honored with MRDT membership SURESH SHAH
CHICAGO: Ajit Gandhi, a front ranking Indian financial planner with three decades of experience under his belt, has been approved for membership of Million Dollar Round Table (MRDT), the Premier Association of Financial Professionals worldwide. Announcing this, Julian H. Good, Jr. CLU ChFC 2011 MDRT President. Presented complement to Gandhi and said that "you have been approved for membership in the 2011 Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) as our records show you are a Qualifying & Life member with 10 years of membership in MDRT and are a member of The Premier Association of Financial Professionals."
COMMUNITY ACROSS AMERICA
Dandi March against corruption flagged off Details on page 15
10 India Post
www.indiapost.com
March 25, 2011
FIA elects new board and pitches for unity
Details on page 12
Sikh Coalition decries Congress scrutiny of Muslims India Post News Service
WASHINGTON: The Committee on Homeland Security in the US House of Representatives led by Representative Peter King (RNY), Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, recently held investigative hearings on domestic radicalization. The hearings singled out American Muslims as the sole subject of Congressional scrutiny. The Sikh Coalition in a statement has called on Congressman King to end the politics of division and practice inclusive politics that "recognizes our joint interest in creating an America that is safe and secure for all." Details on page 13
Kalam to visit to Fermilab during Chicago stay NISHA SUTARIA
CHICAGO: Former Indian President, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, who is slated to visit Chicago in late April under the auspices of the Indo-American Center (IAC) will also be going to Fermilab, a world-renowned particle physics lab in Batavia, a southwest suburb of Chicago. Dr Rajendran Raja, a Fermilab particle physicist and member of IAC Board of Directors, is arranging Dr Kalam's Fermilab visit. During the first part of his visit, Dr Kalam will tour Fermilab to view and learn about several particle physics projects and experiments that are currently underway. Details on page 14
FIA office bearers (Standing L-R) Devendra Patel, Keerthi Ravoori, Kamlesh Patel, Sunny Gabhawala, N Kahlon and Girish Patel. (Sitting Election Committee members L-R) Minhas Akhtar, Vinod Patel and Kanti S Patel.
RAMESH SOPARAWALA India Post News Service
CHICAGO: The Federation of Indian Associations-Chicago (FIA) headed by Satish Gabhawala did exactly what was expected of it last week - holding free and fair elections. The Circuit Court of Cook County Judge Peter Flynn had dubbed the 2010 election "invalid" and it was up to the FIA officials to conduct free and fair elections. This was done in full compliance with the FIA constitutional requirements during a general body meeting held at Punjabi Dhaba on Devon Avenue, says Satish Gabhawala. "The elections were free and fair, and the entire proceedings and process were quite transparent under the watchful eyes of a court reporter, FIA Trustees and the election committee members," he asserted with pride during a luncheon meet with ethnic Indian media on Monday March 14. Gabhawala announced at a press conference his team of newly elected office bearers that constitutes the governing executive board for the year 2011-2012. He said that the following were elected unanimously for the year 2011-2012: Satish 'Sunny' Gabhawala, President, Dr Kamal Patel, Executive Vice President, Kishan Patel, Vice President. Micky Kahlon, Vice President,
Keerthi Kumar Ravoori, Vice President, Ajai Agnihotri, Secretary, Girish Patel, Treasurer Devendra Patel, Joint Secretary, Avinash
that claim to represent FIA and pointed out that this three decades old umbrella organization did not belong to any individual
In a talk to this paper, Gabhawala said that he was forging unity among all the groups that claim to represent FIA and pointed out that this three decades old umbrella organization did not belong to any individual or a group of individuals Desai, Joint Treasurer In a talk to this paper, Gabhawala said that he was forging unity among all the groups
or a group of individuals, and that it was very important that its integrity and credibility were maintained within and outside the In-
dian community. "I am determined to achieve this for the common good of all, "he said and extended an olive branch to the break away group headed by Sunil Shah. Addressing the press conference, a determined FIA President Gabhawala asserted that it will be his goal to preserve, protect and defend this 30-year old community umbrella organization from forces that seeks to divide it. He strongly underlined the board's commitment to forge renewed partnership with the larger community and strive hard to strengthen the bonds of unity to uphold FIA's preeminent place in the Chicago's burgeoning community. Summarizing the FIA election process, Gabhawala explained that the elections were carefully supervised by a host of Trustees and conducted by the election committee to ensure that the election procedures were consistent with the FIA by-laws. All documents related to the elections including membership forms and nomination forms, valid registration copies were put on display for the media and all those present. These documents were duly verified and certified by the Trustees and the three-member election committee in the presence of legal counsel and court reporter. ContĂd on page 11
Members and invitees at the Elections Meet at Punjabi Dhaba on Sunday March 13