AAPI-QLI Celebrates Culture, Heritage, Achievements & Contributions of Indian American Community at Diwali Gala on Long Island

MELVILLE, NY(TIP): “Tonight, our coming together here as members and supporters of AAPI-QLI, is a way of celebrating the achievements, contributions of our Indian American community, and cherish our ancient and rich cultural heritage,” said Dr. Jagdish K Gupta, President of American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, Queens and Long Island Chapter (AAPI-QLI) in his welcome address.

“We are here tonight to celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights, the festival of the celebration of the victory of goodness over evil,” Dr. Gupta, a practicing Gastroenterologist, serving the community for over 40 years, told the audience at the annual Diwali gala at the magnificent Leonard’s Palazzo on Long Island on November 4, 2018.

The annual Diwali event organized under the leadership of Dr. Gupta, Dr. Ajay Lodha, Chair BOT, Dr. Raj Bhayani, Chairman of function and Executive Committee of AAPI-QLI, attended by over 300 guests, including AAPIQLI members, physicians, sponsors, community leaders and Crème de la crème of Indian Community, was in every sense a celebration of the true spirit of Joy and happiness during the festive season of Diwali.

Dr. Ajay Lodha, past national President of AAPI, in his address, lauded the many achievements of the Indian Americans. “Tonight, as proud members of the AAPI-QLI, the largest and most active Chapter of national AAPI, we are celebrating the achievements of our community and our many contributions to the diverse society in New York and Long Island area.”

Dr Naresh Parikh, AAPI President graced the occasion as Guest of Honor and Honorable Ambassador Shree Sandeep Chakravorty, Consul General of New York was the Chief Guest. In his address, Dr. Parikh described AAPI-QLI as the most vibrant, transformative and politically active Chapter among all AAPI chapters in the nation.” Dr. Parikh referred to the fact that Indian American Physicians serve every 7th patient in the nation and contribute enormously the healthcare industry of the United States.

At the gala, two very dynamic and young physician achievers, Drs. Preeti and Nilesh Mehta, were recognized for their humane, state of the art services to the residents of Queens, Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Also, AAPI-QLI recognized Nargis Dutt Cancer Foundation for its decades long services, relieving and supporting the poorest and needy cancer patients and their families in India for over 37 years. Ramesh Goel, MBA, a simple, down to earth community leader, was recognized for his services to many religious and professional Alumni organizations.

Earlier, Diwali festival celebrations began with the traditional, Deva Shri Ganesha recital and dance followed by invocation with Shankh-naad and Shlokas by Pandit, Dixit Ji and participation in lamp lighting ceremony by the entire audience. The celebrations came to a close with amazing dance performance followed by extravaganza of delicious food and custom designed Venetian Dessert show.

AAPIQLI, one of the largest chapters of national AAPI, has been serving 800 member physicians since 1995, providing continuing medical education, charity, and discussing the state of the art topics in healthcare, wealth management and practice management.

AAPI QLI has grown rapidly in membership and has been well accepted and appreciated by all local and national professional organizations. From the very beginning the leadership put heavy emphasis on transparency and the democratic process, which is the main ingredient for its enormous success.

The Mission of AAPI Queens and Long Island has been to represent the interests of all physicians of Indian Origin in the area including providing Continuous Medical Education (CME) and engaging in charitable activities for the benefit of the larger community in the New York region.

(Press Release by Ajay Ghosh)