IABC hosts Gandhi Jayanti & Book Release ceremony with Author Dr. Kiran Bedi in Chicago
Indian American Business Council [IABC], in partnership with major community organizations, hosted a ceremonial commemorative event in celebration of the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, while festively hosting a rousing reception to Dr. Kiran Bedi that encompassed the official release of her book entitled "Fearless Governance," on Sunday October 2, 2022 at the Sheraton in Elk Grove Village.
This dual celebration marked by fervency and reverence attracted a large gathering to honor and felicitate Dr. Kiran Bedi former Lt. Governor of Puducherry, India, and the first woman in India to join the highest officer ranks of the Indian Police Service who held positions of top hierarchy in Police Departments in India. Chicago's prominent community figures including US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, Dr. Bharat Barai, Dr. Sreenivas Reddy and Consul Ranjit Singh attended and the event was hosted under the leadership of Ajeet Singh and Vinesh Virani at the Sheraton in Elk Grove Village.
Honoring the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi taking the precedence, several community leaders stepped up to the portrait and paid venerable homage to the father of the nation by showering floral petals interspersed with a silent prayer. Paying reverential homage to Mahatma Gandhi and speaking about the relevance of Gandhian Ideals in the current context. Dr.Bharat Barai outlined in-depth the role of Mahatma Gandhi and how the history and destiny of India has been shaped by his noble tenants of non-violence. Dr. Barai outlined some noteworthy anecdotes that highlighted the life of Mahatma Gandhi proving that one man has shown the power to take on the challenge by shaking up the very foundations and, thus obtaining emancipation from the stubborn colonial rule.
Unveiling the content of the book, "Fearless Governance," Dr. Kiran Bedi extensively outlined the inspiration that led her to memorialize her illustrious role in presiding over as the Lieutenant Governor and her iconic role heading the Police department in India spanning over 4 decades and her book Fearless Governance encapsulates her learned perspective on the fundamentals of good governance.
Dr. Kiran Bedi summing up the "Fearless Governance" book said I have become fearless with long held focus on the fundamental objectives of ushering effective and efficient governance replete with integrity, honesty and devotion to the core principles of good and responsive governance. She recalled the fierce hostility she faced at the every step of her life, but she faced it with determination, conviction, faith and unshakable resolve to take up on ushering good governance.
Earlier, Ajeet Singh, President of Indian American Business Council welcomed the gathering and described Dr. Kiran Bedi as an outstanding iconic steward who dealt a body blow to the status quo by initiating and ushering comprehensive meaningful reforms in the structural foundations of the police departments in India. Ajeet Singh said her invaluable contributions both as the Lt. Governor and the leading Police chief has left India in much better place and status.
Dr. Sreenivas Reddy, Chair of the Illinois Medical Board in his remarks extolled the dynamic virtues of Dr. Kiran Bedi as a fearless leader who has comprehensively changed the fundamentals of governance by instilling honorable governance. Dr. Sreenivas Reddy described Dr. Kiran Bedi as a fearless voice that has left indelible footprints in the Indian history to be the first woman in India to reign at the highest ranks in the Indian Police Service who maintained dignity and fidelity to the rule of law.
Consul Ranjit Singh from the Office of the Indian Consulate commended IABC for hosting a commemorative event in honor of Mahatma Gandhi and the book-release ceremony.
Vinesh Virani of Art of Living in his brief remarks congratulated Dr. Kiran Bedi on her episodes of fearless leadership and assured her that the Chicago community stands ready and willing to always lend her a strong hand of friendship and cooperation in her quest to bring reforms to the governance in India.
Keerthi Kumar Ravoori, IABC Chair in his introductory remarks described the book Fearless Governance as a scholarly book from a woman of substance, steel and service and went on to advocate this book to be included in the syllabi of the government civil service.
Harish Kolasani, President, National India Hub launched the "Lives on the Brink," an initiative with Ms. Anu Pewhawaria, a renowned attorney and a philanthropist with the sole purpose of bridging the chasm between the two great nations - India and the United States. This initiative undertaken by National India Hub entails extending meaningful support to the families facing challenges and help offer solutions to the problems.
FIA-Chicago President Rakesh Malhotra presented a special poem written in honor entitled "Kiran" and read out the poem. Richa Chand served as the Emcee for the event. This dual celebration event was hosted in partnership with Art of Living, National India Hub, Illinois Cricket Association, VHPA, Hindu Women Network & Bhartiya Senior Citizens of Chicago. Several community leaders were present including Shweta Baid, Alderwoman, City of Aurora, Nag Jaiswal, Murugesh Kasilingam, Vinita Gulabani, Nick Verma, Subbu Iyer, Murugesh Kasilingam, Satish Dadepogu and the young Ashankh and Ani Singh.
Harish Kolasani, President of National India Hub hosted a private dinner reception for Dr. Kiran Bedi at the India Hub in Schaumburg, and appraised Dr. Bedi about the activities and mission of the National India Hub.