AIA – Indian Heritage American Commitment

About AIA

AIA represents the hopes and aspirations of those immigrants who are united by their common bond of Indian heritage and American commitment.

AlA concerns itself with the social welfare of the Asian Indians who have decided to live in the United States, and to help them become a part of the mainstream of American life. To facilitate participation by the members of AlA and others in the development and progress of India, and To facilitate involvement of the members of the Asian Indian Community in American Community life through Charitable, Cultural and Educational activities.

Our President

Our Vision

AlA concerns itself with’the social welfare of the Asian Indians who have decided to ‘live in the United States, and to help them become a part of the mainstream of American life .. To facilitate participation by the members of AlA and others in the development and progress of India, and To facilitate involvement of the members of the Asian Indian Community in American Commu-nity life through Charitable, Cultural and Educational activities.

Our Mission

The mission of the AlA is to foster and promote cultural and social interactions among the members and all those interested in Indian culture and heritage. The AlA will also strive to raise political awareness among its members and others regarding issues relevant to India and the people of Indian origin.

National Executive Committee ( NEC )

President Vice Presidents Treasurer Secretary
Dr. Urmilesh Arya NY Gobind Munjal NY
Nalini Shah NJ
Dr. Naresh Bhasin FL
Dr. Sunil Mehra NY
Neelam Modi NY
Dr. Usha Bansal NY
Members at Large
Hansa Ashar CA
Mahender Gupta FL
Naveen Mehan FL
Dr. Sudha Gupta FL
Ashish Sen IL
Lucy Pandey IL
Prem Mehrotra IL
Santosh Pandey IL
Dr. Suresh Gupta MD
Jaswant Mody NJ
Major Krishna Chari NJ
Ravi Mehrotra NJ
Uma Swaminathan NJ
Dr. Bal Gilja NY
Dr. Binod Verma NY
Dr. Deepak Nandi NY
Gita Anand NY
Gunjan Rastogi NY
Harish Thakkar NY
Indu Gajwani NY
Indu Jaiswal NY
Dr. Jagdish Gupta NY
Mohinder Taneja NY
Mukesh Modi NY
Santosh Khera NY
Sushma Kotahwala NY
Dr. Tara Lodha NY
Kamlesh Saini WI
Immediate past president Chairman Board of Trustees
Dr. Shashi Shah NY Dr. Samin K Sharma

Our History

The Association of Indians in America (AlA) is the oldest national association of Asian Indians in America. It was founded on August 20, 1967 after the United States Congress passed the Immigration Act during 1965-66, repealing the Asian Exclusion Act of 1917. The Constitution of the AlA was adopted in 1970 and was incorporated in 1971. AlA obtained the IRS exempt status in 1973. AIA continue to recognize people with exceptional qualities. We have organized national honor awards for people who have excelled in their respective fields in medicine, business, science, technology, education, and others. To name a few, we have honored people including Zubin Mehta, Coretta Scott King, Amartya Sen, Dr. Norman E. Borlaug and Dr. Naresh Trehan. We are proud that five of our honorees have received the Nobel Prize. AlA is the grassroot national organization of Asian Immigrants in the United States, fostered on the democratic principles of “one member one vote”, with chapters and membership spread across the United States of America. AlA represents the hopes and aspirations of those immigrants who are united by their common bond of Indian Heritage and American Commitment.

Timeline

  • 1967

     

    Founded

    The Association of Indians in America (AlA) is the oldest national association of Asian Indians in America. It was founded on August 20, 1967 after the United States Congress passed the Immigration Act during 1965-66, repealing the Asian Exclusion Act of 1917.

  • 1970

     

    AIA Constitution Adopted

    AIA adopts the democratic principles of "one member one vote", with chapters and membership spread across the United States of America.

  • 1973

     

    Acquiring tax-exempt status

    AlA obtains IRS exempt status.

  • 1993

     

    Earthquake Relief Operations

    AIA helps raise funds to help the victims of the earthquake in Maharashtra, Western India, in 1993.

  • 1993

     

    Sushruta and Charaka Awards

    Instituted in 1993 to recognize and honor people of Indian origin in the field of Medicine and Health Care.

  • 2005

     

    New York City Recognizes Deepavali as an official holiday

    In recognition of Diwali alternate street parking in the city of New York is suspended.

  • 2006

     

    White House celebrates Deepavali

    AIA facilitates the first celebration of Deepavali at the White House.

  • 2013

     

    Official USPS Deepavali Stamp Unveiled

    Resolution introduced in the House of Representatives advising USPS to issue a stamp commemorating Deepavali.