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AIA celebrates next-gen physicians in medical council awards gala
Founded in 1967, the Association of Indians in America is the oldest national nonprofit organization of Indian Americans.
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Pranavi Sharma - Wed, 21, May 2025
- 00:39 EDT
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After a 15-year hiatus, the Association of Indians in America (AIA) hosted its Medical Council Awards Gala on May 3. The event aimed to recognize second-generation Indian American physicians and surgeons for their professional and academic achievements.
Held at the landmark Italian Renaissance-inspired venue in New York City, the gala was attended by a mix of established professionals and younger attendees, with half the audience comprising the next generation of Indian American medical professionals.
Honorees with President and Gala Chair and President with Former national Presidents and Advisors. / AIAFounded in 1967, the Association of Indians in America is the oldest national nonprofit organization of Indian Americans. Its mission has evolved from supporting early Indian immigrants in their transition to American life to now engaging a growing and diverse second-generation community.
AIA national president Gobind Munjal said the revival of the awards was a deliberate move to honor emerging leaders in the field and to bring younger members into the organization’s fold. “The purpose of organizing this Medical Council Awards Gala,” he said, “is to recognize and honor the second generation of Physicians and Surgeons of Indian descent, who have excelled in their career, academics and profession, as the first generation has already made a mark and earned their recognition.”
Speakers at the Medical Council Awards Gala of May 3 at Cipriani. / AIA
Award Presentation to Honorees. / AIACalling it a historic moment, Munjal emphasized the involvement of younger members in planning and organizing the event. “This AIA Medical Council Awards Gala is of major historical importance, as younger members of AIA are taking leadership roles and organizing this event, while we, the senior members, are supporting them,” he said. “You will be glad to know that 50% of the people attending this Gala were from the younger generation.”
Munjal also announced that the event would now be held biennially. “This Medical Council Gala's tremendous success has excited a lot of next generation people and they have expressed interest in getting involved and becoming members. We will be having these Galas every 2 years or so,” he said, adding that the organization is working to revamp its website to better engage younger audiences.
Medical Council Committee. / AIAThe event’s organizing committee included Dr. Dolly Manvar as chair of the medical council, and four vice chairs representing the next generation: Dr. Atul Kukar, Dr. Pallavi Manvar Singh, Dr. Aprajita Mattoo, and Dr. Pratichi Goenka. Munjal thanked them for their “commitment and hard work in making this Medical Council Awards Gala a huge success.”
Chair of the AIA board of trustees Dr. Samin Sharma called the gathering the most successful event he had seen in his 15 years with AIA. “For the first time we have seen in any organization so many people from the younger generation attending the Gala, which is remarkable,” he said. Dr. Sharma also suggested that AIA establish a charitable initiative to benefit people in India, pledging $100,000 toward such a cause.
Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Dr Nirma Mattoo. / AIAHonorees at the gala included Dr. Deepak Bhatt (research), Dr. Latha Chandran (education), Dr. Chethan Sathya (public health and gun violence prevention), and Dr. Shuvendu Sen (author). Each was recognized for their contributions in their respective fields.
A Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Dr. Nirmal Mattoo, a past national president of AIA and current chairman of the Indo-American Arts Council. Dr. Mattoo is also president of the Mattoo Center of India Studies at the State University of New York.
Dance floor and cocktail. / AIA
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