BAPS Charities RECEIVES NFIA'S
PRESTIGIOUS HUMANITARIAN AWARD

10.30.2004
Cleveland, OH, USA

In a gala banquet addressed and attended by government dignitaries and other distinguished guests, NFIA (National Federation of Indian-American Associations) awarded the Humanitarian and Social Services award to BAPS Charities on October 30th 2004 at the 13th National Biennial Convention of NFIA held in Cleveland, Ohio. The event was hosted by the Cleveland-based organizations, Federation of India Community Associations (FICA), Asian Indian Physicians of Northern Ohio (AIPNO) and their other sister organizations of Greater Cleveland.

The event was addressed by dignitaries such as His Excellency Mr. Ronen Sen, the Ambassador of India to the USA, Consul General Mr. Pramathesh Rath, Honorable Kumar Barve, Member and Majority Leader of Maryland House of Delegates, Cleveland Mayor Honorable Jane Campbell, Ramesh Kapur, Chairman of Indo-American Leadership Council in the Democratic National Committee (DNC), who read the congratulatory message for this convention from Senator John Kerry running for President of USA, and Mr. Inder Singh, Past-President of NFIA who read the heart-felt greetings message of US President George Bush for this occasion. Dr. Shailesh Nanavati, President of AIPNO, welcomed the delegates. Cleveland Law Director Mr. Subodh Chandra was the Master of Ceremonies. The vote of thanks was provided by Mr. Satish Parikh, President of FICA.

Other distinguished guests present during the event were Sam Miller, a philanthropist and Co-Chairman of Forest City Entreprises, Cuyahoga County Coroner Dr. Elizabeth Balraj, her husband Mr. Winfred Balraj, Jazz Mandair, President of AIABG (Asian Indian Americans for Better Government), Mrs. Usha Ahuja, Chairperson of FICA Board of Trustees, Stanley Tolliver, former President of the Cleveland School Board of Education, and Nirmal Sinha, Ohio Civil Rights Commissioner.

The President of NFIA, Niraj Baxi, initiated the awards ceremony. In announcing the award, Mr. Panchal said that it was the first time in its history that the NFIA Awards Committee selected organizations for this prestigious award instead of the past practice of honoring individuals, and unanimously selected BAPS Charities which has made a lasting impact on the lives of many in need.

In accepting the award, Jagdish Patel, representating BAPS Charities, thanked NFIA for selecting BAPS Charities for this prestigious award and honoring the 55,000 volunteers who work selflessly with dedication for causes important to the society.