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Houston Indo-American Chamber Gala honours leaders, eyes future
Founded in 1999, the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston (IACCGH) connects businesses, investors, and institutions across Houston and India to accelerate trade, investment, and innovation.
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Lalit K Jha (5WH) - Fri, 03, Oct 2025
- 01:18 EDT
- 98
The IACCGH annual gala / IAACGH
At a glittering gala in downtown Houston, the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston (IACCGH) celebrated its Silver Jubilee with an evening that blended business, culture, and community — honouring leaders in investment, entrepreneurship, and gastronomy while underscoring the U.S.–India corridor’s expanding role in global trade and innovation.
City officials, business leaders, and community stakeholders gathered for the gala for an evening that underscored Houston’s position as a global hub.
Founding secretary and executive director Jagdip Ahluwalia reflected on the Chamber’s origins, describing it as a “flywheel” powered by Houston’s scale and India’s ingenuity — ties he said endure “not because they’re convenient, but because they’re rooted in mutual respect and shared benefit”.
Spotlight on health and equity
The centrepiece of the evening was a candid dialogue on health and competitiveness between Dr David L. Callender, president and chief executive of Memorial Hermann Health System, and Dr Renu Khator, chancellor of the University of Houston. Callender pointed to the paradox of advanced medical technology alongside uneven outcomes. “Despite having the best people in the world, the United States is dead last among industrialized nations in health outcomes,” he said, noting the sharp inequities in access across Houston. “You can drive across this city and see as much as a 20-year difference in life expectancy. That is unacceptable”.
Dr Khator, reflecting on her own journey as the first Indian immigrant to lead a major U.S. research university, pressed on education and workforce pipelines, particularly in nursing. “Texas is projected to be nearly 60,000 nurses short by 2030,” Callender said, adding that collaboration with universities was critical to sustaining growth.
Honoring excellence
The Chamber conferred four major awards.
Business Advocate Award: Jasjit Singh, chief executive of EDGE Partners, was honoured for his work as the former head of SelectUSA, where he facilitated $145 billion in investments and welcomed India’s largest business delegations to the U.S. “Those investments weren’t just numbers, they were lasting partnerships,” Singh said.
Business of the Year: Houston’s Michelin-starred Musaafer restaurant was recognized for elevating the city’s culinary profile through a 100-day exploration of India’s regions, which was translated into a fine dining experience.
Woman of the Year: Snehee Chaplot, founder of Gallivant Mawa Ice Creams, was celebrated for pioneering a frozen dessert that fuses food science with South Asian heritage. “This award is for every dreamer and every founder who dares to believe in their vision,” she said.
Global Gateway Award: The Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (India) was recognized for its two-decade alliance with IACCGH, which has strengthened bilateral trade and investment.
Glimpses from the IACCGH gala / IACCGH Civic recognition and cultural flourish
Houston Mayor John Whitmire issued a proclamation declaring September 27, 2025, as Indo-American Chamber of Commerce Day. His chief of international affairs, Gigi Lee, noted the Chamber’s “tremendous impact” in bridging Houston and India.
The evening featured a performance by the Houston Grand Opera, underscoring the Chamber’s theme of commerce meeting culture. The program concluded with a commitment from sponsors and a call for new partners to sustain the Chamber for its next quarter-century.
IACCGH president Malisha Patel, who also leads two Memorial Hermann hospitals, called on the community to focus on collaboration. “When we work together, we build community, we strengthen our organization, and we help businesses thrive,” she said.
Founded in 1999, the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston (IACCGH) connects businesses, investors, and institutions across Houston and India to accelerate trade, investment, and innovation.
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