Chicago, IL. April 16, 2003 The Association of Indians in America, Inc., fondly known as AIA, will hold its 23rd Honor Banquet on Saturday, May 31, 2003 at the O'Hare Hyatt Regency Hotel in Rosemont (Chicago), IL, starting at 6 PM.

The Honorable Ambassador of India to the United States Mr. Lalit Man Singh will be our guest speaker

AIA's National Honor Banquet Program has recognized several individuals in the past; four of whom later became Noble Laureates. This year's Honor Banquet scheduled to be held in Chicago, IL on Saturday, May 31, 2003 is expected to draw many prominent professionals and civic leaders from all across the country.

Honorees for 2003 are: The Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, Dr. Sam Pitroda, Chairman & CEO of WorldTel, and Professor Ralph W. Nicholas, President of the American Institute of Indian Studies.

The Association of Indians in America (AIA) is the oldest national association of Asian Indians in America, founded on August 20, 1967, after the United States Congress passed the 1965-66 Immigration Act, repealing the Asian Exclusion Act of 1917. AIA is the grassroots national organization of Asian Indian immigrants, with chapters and membership spread across the United States. AIA represents the hopes and aspirations of those immigrants who are united by their common bond of Indian heritage and American commitment. We serve our members and our community at large, through our various councils and centers; for example, Medical Council, Business Council, Center for Public Policy, Center for Responsible Citizenship and Center for Unity and Diversity among others.

This year, The Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans will be celebrating its 10th Anniversary of its founding. During these ten years, the Caucus has supported India and the interest of Indian Americans from A to U (Aid to India to US-India Relations). In this process about 180 Congressmen have participated under the leadership of stalwarts like Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Bill McCollum (R-FL), Jim McDermott (D-WA), James Greenwood (R-PA), Gary Ackerman (D-NY), Benjamin Gilman (R-NY), Jim Crowley (D-NY), Ed Royce (R-CA), and Joe Wilson (R-SC)

The caucus has done a tremendous job of promoting bilateral relations between India and the USA. According to Congressman Joseph Crowley, Co-Chair of the Caucus "India is a very important (country) in South Asia because it is the largest democracy unlike other countries in that region." Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) Co-Chair would like to see that "the U.S. develop a deeper military relationship with the people of India, as they are a crucial ally in the War on Terrorism."

Dr. Sam Pitroda, who is currently the president of C-Scan Inc., is the main architect of the telecom revolution in India. As an advisor to the late prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, he not only transformed the antiquated telecommunication system in India into a system compatible to the modern age, but also planned and worked on many areas including health and medical research. An IT genius and a graduate of Illinois Institute of Technology, he has several publications and patents to his credit. A social activist, he has always worked for promoting better relations between India and the USA.

Professor Nicholas has been involved in the work of the American Institute of Indian Studies for many years, having previously served as Vice President and Treasurer. Currently, he is the President of the Institute which is a consortium of 52 American Colleges and Universities that have programs of teaching and research about India sending about 35-60 fellows to India each year. The institute was established in 1962 and has sent more than 3,000 scholars from the US to do research in India. Dr. Nicholas is also Professor Emeritus of Anthropology at the University of Chicago. He has done extensive fieldwork in India since 1960 and has specialized in the study of Bengali Society and Culture.

AIA will salute The Congressional Caucus on India & Indian Americans, Dr. Satyan Pitroda, and Professor Ralph Nicholas for their valuable contributions to our society.

For more information, contact Dr. Piyush C. Agrawal at the numbers/address given below.