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American India Foundation’s NY gala raises $4.5 Mn
Roshni Nadar Malhotra, chairperson of HCLTech, and Douglas L. Peterson, former President and CEO of S&P Global were honored at the event.
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Malvika Choudhary - Sat, 14, Jun 2025
- 13:47 EDT
- 26
From left to right: Harit Talwar, Co-Chair, AIF Global Board; Douglas L. Peterson, Former president and CEO, S&P Global; Roshni Nadar Malhotra, Chairperson, HCLTech; Ajay Banga, AIF Chairman Emeritus; and Nishant Pandey, CEO, AIF. / AIF
The American India Foundation (AIF) raised more than $4.5 million at its annual New York Gala held on June 10 at Cipriani Wall Street.This marked the highest fundraising total in the organization’s 24-year history.
The sold-out event drew nearly 700 attendees, including business leaders, philanthropists, and members of the Indian diaspora. Funds raised will support AIF’s programs in public health, education, and livelihoods, which have impacted over 21 million lives across 35 states and union territories in India since the organization’s inception in 2001.
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AIF CEO Nishant Pandey addressed the gathering, emphasizing the role of collaboration in the organization's work. “Tonight is not simply about generosity—it is a collective act of belief in the power of partnership. AIF’s success is built on this very foundation. This record-breaking support not only funds programs but highlights our collective dedication to Viksit Bharat.”
A highlight of the evening was a $1 million pledge by Bharat and Neerja Desai towards AIF’s educational programs, including the DEEP Shaala initiative in Amreli, Gujarat—a digital inclusion project in partnership with Samvid Ventures.
AIF honored Roshni Nadar Malhotra, chairperson of HCLTech, and Douglas L. Peterson, former president and CEO of S&P Global, for their leadership and philanthropic contributions.
“I am truly humbled to receive this recognition from AIF, an organization whose mission resonates so strongly with my own,” said Malhotra. “I believe that progress must be inclusive—and that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive.”
Peterson reflected on his connection with India: “I’ve seen firsthand how access to opportunity transforms lives. AIF’s partnership-driven model delivers that access with purpose and scale.”
The gala was hosted by Indian American comedian Zarna Garg and featured a curated menu by renowned Indian chef Gaurav Anand. Guests also engaged with AIF’s work through an immersive Virtual Reality experience of its Maternal and Newborn Survival Initiative (MANSI).
AIF Chairman Emeritus Ajay Banga paid tribute to the late Victor Menezes, AIF’s founder and the only other individual to hold the Chairman Emeritus title.
The event was supported by corporate sponsors including EXL, Goldman Sachs Gives, HCLTech, Mastercard, and S&P Global.
Founded in the aftermath of the 2001 Gujarat earthquake, AIF was established by Indian-American business leaders to foster diaspora-led philanthropy and civic engagement. The organization continues to build scalable solutions to improve lives across India.
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