AAPI Honors India At India Independence Day Parade 2022 in New York

 In their efforts to spread the message of health and wellbeing for all, leaders of the American Association of Physicians of Indian origin (AAPI) joined the India Day Parade in New York City on Sunday, August 21st, 2022. Applause from the crowds reached a crescendo as the colorfully decorated Float bearing AAPI’s name, symbol, and message of health and wellbeing to all rolled on in New York City. 

Allu Arjun, the popular Southern Indian Star was the Grand Marshal at the  India Day parade held on Sunday in New York City, commemorating the completion of 75 years of Indian Independence, earmarked as ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav,’ the celebration of eternal freedom.

Organized by the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA-NY/NJ/CT), the annual parade returned to New York City after two years, when Covid Pandemic restricted public gatherings. The colorful celebrations at the heart of New York City was a salute to Mother India by the Indian American community.

While AAPI’s energetic leaders from across the nation led the AAPI float, dozens of physicians on the float were dancing and singing to the tune of beautiful Bollywood melodies, while saluting India on the glorious occasion of India’s 75th anniversary of Independence Day.

Dr. Ravi Kolli, President of AAPI along with several Regional Directors, past presidents, members of BOT from different parts of the country joined the over a hundred thousand fellow Indian Americans to be part of the largest India Day Parade around the world, organized by the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA).

A host of AAPI leaders, including Dr. Ravi Kolli, President of AAPI, Dr. Anjana Samadder, President-Elect of AAPI; Dr. Sumul Rawal, Treasurer of AAPI; and Dr. V. Ranga, Chair of AAPI Board of Trustees; along with Dr. Hetal Gor, Regional Director, Mid Atlantic II; Dr. Jagdish Gupta, member of BOT; Dr. Raghu Lolabhattu, member of BOT; Dr. Kavita Gupta, member of BOT; Dr. Gautam Samadder, past President of AAPI; Dr. Sudhakar Johnalagadda, past President of AAPI; Dr. Durgesh Mankikar, past AAPI BOT Chair; Dr. Udaya Shivangi, Chair of Women’s Forum; Dr. Bhavani Srinivasan, past BOT Member; Dr. Amit Chakrabarty, past Secretary of AAPI; Dr. Krishan Kumar, past Treasurer of AAPI; Dr. Sreeni Ganagasani, past Chair of AAPI Conventions; Dr. Vinni Jayam, President of AAPI QLI; Dr. Rakesh Dua from Long Island and, Dr. Sanjay Gupta from New Jersey.

A record number of people thronged the sidewalks, filling Madison Avenue from 38th to 27th Streets at the heart of New York City, cheering jubilantly as the floats portraying the rich heritage of India and the rise of India as a world power, meandered through the Big Apple. The gods seemed to smile as the clouds lifted and the bright sun shone forth. The crowds acknowledged the contributions and achievements of the Indian Diaspora and their motherland, India.

As the AAPI float passed through the VIP Salute Box, leaders of the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) called out AAPI, stating, if there is one organization whose response to the Covid pandemic and beyond, serving selflessly millions of people around the nation,  and  their actions have become a benchmark for the rest of the Diaspora community, it is AAPI and the tireless work of its members. You have put a benchmark for all other diaspora organizations, they said.

Calling the Indian American Physicians as the “real heroes” FIA leaders said “You are the real heroes who have risked your lives and have been out to assist others. “What is unique about AAPI is that you bring a global perspective to defeat the virus and serve the people. We are proud of the achievements of the 4 million Indians in the United States.”

“AAPI is only about 40 years old, and we have achieved a lot in this young age,” Dr. Anjana Sammader said.  “This year India celebrates its 75th Independence Day remembering the sacrifices made by the freedom fighters, political leaders and citizens in order to free the motherland from colonial rule. After all, isn't service of mankind the best way to celebrate India’s Independence?”

Dr. V. Ranga, Chair of AAPI’s BOT, said, “AAPI members are putting their best efforts to help our patients. Our healthcare heroes are putting their lives on frontline  and working in every possible way to eradicate COVID-19, through preventive efforts, clinical, therapeutic and research trials, doing philanthropic services and many more other activities to help the community.” 

Dr. Sumul Rawal, Treasurer of AAPI, “This is another example of our ongoing efforts to make AAPI a mainstream organization and work on issues affecting physicians including physician shortage, burnout, and credentialing, while leveraging the strength of 100,000 Indian American physcians.”

Dr. Ravi Kolli reminded AAPI members that through organizing such events, “We are continuing to make AAPI a more dynamic and vibrant organization playing a meaningful and relevant part in advocating health policies and practices that best serve the interests of all patients  and  promoting the  physician's role   as  the  leaders of the  team based health care delivery.” For more details, please visit: http://www.aapiusa.org