MINEOLA, NY (TIP): Eminent physician and community leader Dr Jagdish K. Gupta has been sworn in as President of the Association of Indians in America (AIA – NY chapter) for two years. The Oath of Office was administered by Nassau County legislator Hon. Thomas McKevitt to Dr Gupta and his executive committee at a graceful ceremony on June 2 at the county seat in Mineola, NY.

In his presidential address, Dr Gupta said that preparations have started in earnest for AIA-NY’s flagship annual program, the iconic Deepavali on South Street Seaport in Manhattan on October 1. And it will be better and bigger than it was before Covid played spoilsport for a couple of years.

Dr Gupta, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.G., former President of IALI (Indian Association of Long Island) and AAPI-QLI (American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin of Queens and Long Island), also told the august gathering of former and current AIA office holders and members as well as community leaders that time has come to add to the numerous achievements and milestones of AIA’s past, both at the State and Federal Levels.

“We are working with our Assemblywoman Jennifer Rajkumar and Speaker of the House Carl Heastie to get Diwali Holiday approved for the entire New York State, not just NYC. We are also working with Congresswoman Grace Meng on Bill HR 3336 to get Diwali declared as a federal Holiday,” Dr Gupta said to applause in the legislative chamber of Nassau County. Stressing that these endeavors require moral and financial commitments from all of us, he implored all to support AIA, the NY chapter, and Indian culture to the best of their capabilities.

Dr Gupta, an eminent gastroenterologist, added that post-Covid, to serve the community better they are starting a series of programs via Zoom on physical and mental health. The reach of cultural awareness and educational programs will be expanded with webinars and shows. Dr Gupta encouraged participation in AIA activities by generation-next, adding, “We will encourage and induct young leadership. Atul Kukar, Anuj Goenka, Pallavi Manvar, Amar Manvar and many others like them, who grew up with our motto of ‘Indian Heritage and American Commitment’, have great potential to become young AIA leaders.” Dr Gupta praised his able executive committee team, which includes Dr Tara Lodha as Secretary, Nilima Madan as Joint Secretary, Antia Harish Thakkar as Treasurer, Vice Presidents Dr Vijaypal Arya, Vimal Goyal, Dr Sunil Mehra and Beena Kothari.

Passing the baton to Dr Gupta, Harish Thakkar, who served two terms as President from 2019-22, wished him success and all his support. Thakkar said that when they could not hold the popular Deepavali event in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid, they organized an event at Nasdaq in Manhattan with the massive Nasdaq screen flashing Diwali greetings. They also extended all help possible to the distressed members of the community, including serving food to the needy. PPP materials were provided to health and essential workers.

Others who spoke briefly included Animesh Goenka, Dr Shashi Shah, and Dr Narinder Kukar, all past Presidents of AIA National. Nilima Madan and Beena Kothari ably emceed the program.

A classical Indian dance performance was given by Shreya, a student of Satya Pradeep.

A vegetarian dinner concluded the event. The program was covered by the television media.

Incoming President Dr Gupta has many accomplishments in the medical profession. Born and raised in Hisar, Haryana, he graduated from the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi in 1966. He completed his residency and fellowship training at Long Island College Hospital (LICH). He is a diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Gastroenterology. He is also on the Board of Trustees of the Academy of Medicine in Brooklyn. An Assistant Clinical Professor at SUNY Health Science Center in Brooklyn, he has been on the TOP DOCTORS list of Castle Connolly for over 20 years consecutively and was designated as SUPER DOC by New York Times for three years. Last year he had the opportunity to serve as the President of the King County Medical Society during its Bicentennial Year Celebrations. He is very active in National AAPI and is on the board of the AAPI Charitable Foundation.