The Asian American Coalition of Chicago honored Indian Americans Dr. Amarjit Singh, and Anukool Vasudevan, at their 32nd Conference on Business And Networking and Annual Lunar New Year Celebration on Saturday, February 28, 2015, at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare Hotel in Rosemont Illinois. This year’s gala event themed “Unity in Diversity” was hosted by the Indonesian American community of Chicago, with Martino Tangkar serving as the event chairperson. More than 1300 attended the black-tie event.

Amarjit Singh M.D, past president of Indian American medical Association of Illinois and also Past Chairman of Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago, with a stellar record of community service won the Indian American Exemplary Community Service Award.

Mr. Anukool Vasudevan a senior at Loyola University won the Indian American Youth Who Excel Award.

The awards were distributed by the Ambassador of Republic of Indonesia to U.S.A. Honorable Budi Bowoleksono assisted by Martino Tangkar and George Mui.

Mrs. Aurora Abella Austriaco a distinguished attorney, the first ever Asian American president of Chicago Bar Association, was honored with the Pan Asian American Award. Lisa Madigan, Attorney General State of Illinois received the Coalition’s GRAND ASIAN AWARD. This award is periodically presented to someone of non-Asian descent, who has made significant contributions to the Asian Pacific American community.

U.S. Congresswoman IL-8 Tammy Duckworth was the keynote speaker. More than 1300 people attended this extravaganza evening dinner banquet. More than 500 attended the day time events health fair, business seminars and networking opportunities.

The dignitaries who spoke included Jesse White Secretary of State of Illinois, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, State Treasurer Michael Frerichs, State Comptroller Leslie Munger, US Congressman Robert Dold, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, and Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez. Many other government officers, media outlets, local dignitaries, business and community leaders, and the counsel generals of many Asian countries were in the audience. Mr. O.P. Meena consul H.O.C. represented the India‘s Consulate General in Chicago.

The evening program was presented by Asian American celebrities, Joanie Lum, Billy Dec, Eric S. Horng, Judy Hsu, Nesita Kwan, Nancy Loo, Mai Martinez, Susanna Song, and Katie Kim. Linda Yu .

During the pre-event cocktail hour reception a Fashion Show was presented by Akira and Lady Quaint.

The entertainment program featured colorful costumes, Javanese and Balinese gamelan music performances, Holy Balinese “Barong” Lion Dance, Indonesian Cultural dance “Reog Ponorogo Singo Lodoyo” by a group of 40 Indonesian dancers from Wasington DC, performances from the 25 member Indonesian Consulate General in Chicago Dance Troupe; “Puspanjali” by the Indonesian Performing Arts of Chicago; and members of the Indonesian Dance of Illinois. “Journey to Harmony,” a Unity Dance choreographed by Liah Tehan, brought another interpretation of this year’s theme, and musical performance “Together, The World Can Count On Us,” by Keith, Betty & Kelly Uchima.

The evening show was produced and directed by Irene Cualoping.

“The purpose of this celebration is to showcase the culture, and contributions, of Asian Americans of Chicago on its road to empowerment,” said Rajinder Singh Mago Executive Secretary of Asian American Coalition of Chicago.

An event held on this grand of a scale only once a year, Lunar New Year is traditionally the single largest organized annual event in Chicago’s Asian American community which takes turns to host the event.

There were exhibition booths for businesses and community organizations in the foyer area during the whole day. The next year’s hosts are Chinese American community chaired by Dr. Karen Eng.