Message from the National AIA President GOBIND MUNJAL (2022-2025)
As I conclude my four-year term (2022–2025) as National President of AIA, I, Gobind Munjal, extend my sincere and heartfelt gratitude to the National Executive Committee (NEC), Past Presidents, Trustees, and all the distinguished members of AIA for their unwavering support throughout my four-year term (2022–2025).
My special thanks to the National Executive Committee, whose unanimous resolutions and steadfast backing enabled us to work cohesively and decisively. With your collective efforts, we successfully revitalized AIA National, strengthened its foundation, and advanced its mission. Together, we streamlined bylaws and procedures, updated the membership list, revived prestigious legacy events, launched new chapters, and initiated impactful programs in the best interest of the organization
Key Achievements (2022–2025)
- Chapter Growth:Revived inactive chapters and launched four new chapters in California, Minnesota, Georgia, and Texas.
- Life Membership Rejuvenation:Added 85 new Life Members, including 34 younger-generation members (65 members including spouses).
- Medical Council Awards Gala (May 3, 2025):Restarted after 15 years at Cipriani 42nd St, NYC, honoring second-generation physicians; 50% attendance from the younger generation.
- Honor Banquet & Celebrations of 75th Anniversary of India’s Independence (May 6, 2023):Successfully held at Terrace on the Park, NYC, attended by dignitaries including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and NYC Mayor Eric Adams.
- Bylaws Amendment:Amended and Updated AIA National Bylaws after 30 years, implemented in January 2024, under the leadership of Mr. Santosh Pandey from Chicago, assisted by various Past Presidents and representatives from across the country.
- AIA National Newsletter – “BETWEEN US”: Revived after 20+ yearsto strengthen communication among members.
- Life Membership Fund Investment: Achieved 55% portfolio growthduring 2024–2025; earned income distributed to chapters for the first time in over two decades. Thanks to Investment committee led by Mr. Rohit Vyas assisted by Past Presidents and distinguished members.
- First-Ever Diwali at Minnesota State Capitol (2023):Initiated under the leadership of Mr. Gopal Khanna assisted by Ms Vallabha Tantry. A tradition now continued annually.
- Educational Initiatives:Organized a successful multi-session Zoom conference on Awareness and Empathy (2022).
- Digitization of Archives:Preserved historic albums of past national presidents.
- Life Membership List Update:Finalized, corrected and updated the Life Membership list during 2024 for transparency and election integrity.
- Enhanced Chapter Communication:Improved interaction and collaboration among chapters.
- Community Engagement:
- Welcome Partner at PM Narendra Modi’s Reception (Nassau Coliseum, Sept 22, 2024)
- Collaboration with NIAASC for senior welfare at its 35th Annual Conference
- First-ever AIA Float in FIA India Day Parade (Aug 17, 2025), receiving extensive media coverage about AIA chapters and change of venue for AIA-NY iconic Diwali celebration.
- $35,000 Charitable Donation for Needy Seniors:
A net surplus of $35,000 from the Medical Council Awards Gala in 2025 and Honor Banquet & 75th India’s Independence Celebrations in 2023 has been dedicated to supporting needy South Asian seniors. AIA will be soon launching a Senior Center in Long Island in collaboration with India Home, a respected nonprofit led by
Dr. Vasundhara Kalaspudi (Dr K), which currently operates six senior centers in Queens.
We prioritized maximizing savings to support our charitable work, carefully conserving every dollar. As a result, we never charged travel expenses for visits to various chapters, including travel to Chicago for the AIA Illinois Gala on Nov 9, 2025. Additionally, no lunch or dinner expenses for official meetings have been charged to AIA over the past 4 years.
I once again thank each and every AIA member for electing me and entrusting me with the privilege of serving as National President of our esteemed organization for consecutive four years. It has been an honor to work with all of you and to help lead AIA to greater heights.
Wishing everyone a very Happy, Healthy and a Prosperous New Year!
Gobind Munjal;
National President AIA.
AIA Medical Council Awards Gala Commemorattive Journal 2025
AIA Medical Awards 2025: Honoring Indian-American Healthcare Heroes! | JUS PUNJABI TV
Humhindustani USA - The Associations Of Indians In America National organizes Medical Council Awards Gala on May 3, 2025
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AIA - Medical Council Awards Gala on May 3, 2025
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North American Newsline The Indian Eye - AIA hosts National Honor Banquet & Celebration of 75th anniversary of India's independence
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What is AIA ? Cultural Diversity Social Harmony
The Association of Indians In America, was formed with the following objectives
• To promote the welfare of Asian Indians in the US and to address issues of integration with mainstream America.
• To encourage and facilitate the participation of AIA members and others in the development and progress of India through charitable, cultural and educational activities.
• To promote the image of India in the US by showing its rich culture and traditions through various events.
History of AIA
The Association of Indians in America is the oldest National Association of Asian Indians in America. It was founded on August 20, 1967 after the United States Congress passed the 1965-66 Immigration Act, repealing the Asian Exclusion Act of 1917. The Constitution of the AIA was adopted in 1970 and was incorporated in 1971. AIA obtained the IRS exempt status in 1973.
AIA 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. AIA represents the hopes and aspirations of those immigrants who are united by their common bond of “Indian Heritage and American Commitment”.
THE OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSOCIATION
To concern itself with the social welfare of Indians in United States, and to help them become a part of the mainstream of American life.
To facilitate involvement of the members of the Association of Indians in America and others in American community life through Charitable, Educational and Cultural activities.
To facilitate participation by the membership of the AIA and others in the development and progress of India through Charitable, Cultural and Educational activities and to facilitate communication and co-operation among the people Of Indian Heritage worldwide.
HIGHLIGHTS OF AIA ACHEIVEMENTS
- Minority Status to Asian Indian Immigrants in 1970’s
- Tax Exempt Status Certificate Jan 1973.
- Separate Enumeration of Asian Indians for the first time in US censuses an independent category in 1980
- Representation before Congressional committees to testify for family reunification provision in the immigration bill.
- Represented at federal, state and local level of governments, in case of bias or discrimination against the Asian Indians.
- Represented on Foreign medical graduates committee of AMA, effectively addressing the issues of discrimination and licensing of Indian physicians.
- Relief work for Natural Disaster in India and across the World.
- Raising funds to help the victims of 1993 Midwest floods in America
- “Project India” an ongoing project of AIA, has channeled Medical Equipment and Funds for Projects and HIV relief work in India.
- Voter registration drive.
- Acharya Awards Instituted in 1995 to recognize and honor school teachers of Indian descent in USA
- Sushruta and charka Award – Instituted in 1993 to recognize and honor people of Indian origin in the field of Medicine and Health care.
- Deepavali celebration for public: New York City: at South Street Seaport an ongoing event, since 1987, enjoyed by close to More than 100,000 people in tri state residents.
- Recognition of Diwali by City Council in 2004 and suspension of alternate street parking in all the 5 borrows of NYC in 2005 onwards .
- Celebration of Diwali in City hall in 2003, and in Gracie mansion in 2004
- Celebration of Diwali at the White house in 2004.
- Association Welcomed Olympic Torch in NYC in 2004
- Obtained Re-certification of AIA with IRS, thereby bringing up to date all pending Tax issues and ensured AIA’s tax compliant status as a 501 c3 organization Nov 2018 .
- Certificate of incorporation by State of NY June 11 2021.
- AIA Golden Anniversary Gala DEC 1st 2018.
- Raising the Funds and supplying Blankets and clothing’s to the victims Earthquake Disaster in Puerto Rico in 2018.
- Fund raising and construction of school – destroyed by Flood Disaster in Ayoor Village Kerala in 2018.
- Covid 2019 America : Distributed 10,000 gloves and masks Hot meals to front line workers, Groceries to Needy People and distribution of winter jackets to children in home shelters in New York area.
- Raising funds $ 250,000.00 and supplied groceries to more than 13,000 families in Washington DC.
- Covid 19 India : Raising the funds and send Oxygen concentrators and Ventilators and PPE, Gave $ 26,000.00 to PM Fund and Groceries to Needy people.
- Raising the funds and Construction of High School at Khanwa Village of Bharatpur Rajasthan 2021.