• KP SINGH

Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb and InfoSys's
Richard Cardwell honored with Indiana Ratna Award
IIBC and Hoosier Friends Celebrated Indiana-India Friendship at a Glittering Gala

Los Angeles, August 16 , 2021
NRIpress.club/ KP Singh/ Ramesh/ A.Gary Singh Grewal

Throughout the evening a spirit of optimism descended upon a happy gathering of over 400 friends that included several dignitaries - beside Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb, U.S. Representative Victoria Spartz, Consul General of India Amit Kumar, Former Mayor Bart Peterson, Deputy Mayor Judith Thomas, State Legislators and Officials, Infosys executives and other Indiana business, education, civic and ethnic community leaders, and fellow Hoosiers and friends. Many ladies wore beautiful Indian festive attire for the joyous occasion and celebrating a growing friendship bridge that spelled major future rewarding prospects. Already a major Indy Infosys Educational Campus, thousands of jobs and billions in financial commitment are in the works. Other countries and American states are looking at this Hoosier success and studying Indiana's attractive investment environment and visionary leadership in landing an international internet giant in the Hoosier Heartland.

A word about this historic Indiana-India Friendship: In size and in distance the two are thousands of miles apart. India is a Country that is home to an ancient civilization, birthplace of four major religions - Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism and a home to all world religions; the largest Democratic Republic with a population of nearly 1.36 billion (2019) speaking many languages with a rich ancient architectural and cultural heritage, and much more. Indiana is a State with a population of 6.73 million (2019) that is home to many diverse nationalities, world-class educational institutions, amateur sports capital of the world, and a young 205 year old and determined to ignite its future as a world welcome destination to visit, invest, and excel and where all Hoosiers and their contributions matter. Indiana celebrated its Bicentennial on December 11, 2016.

Indiana-India are setting a new model-matrix in Nation-State friendship, economic cooperation and investments, and laser-focused on multidimensional exchanges at many levels.

At the recent IIBC Gala over 350 guests from across the State had gathered at the ornate Indiana Roof Ballroom to celebrate this growing friendship and to honor two stalwarts who are contributing to this mutually-rewarding endeavor in significant ways: Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb, and Infosys Corporation represented by Mr. Richard Cardwell, Vice President and Regional Head Midwest. They were presented the Indiana Ratna (Jewel of Indiana) Award at the Third Annual IIBC Indiana Ratna Gala organized by Indiana India Business Council (IIBC). The IIBC was founded by Raju Chinthala who serves as its President and as a Senior Advisor for India in the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. Besides the IIBC Board, several businesses and organization, and community friends contributed to the success of this historic Gala evening that included several fabulous cultural performances and the Award ceremonies.

The cultural performances: beautiful Indian classical dances by Anitha Un Srikant and very accomplished students; multi-cultural fusion dances and Punjabi Bhangra by Jenny Bhupatkar Chakrabarti and her fabulous Bollywood Beats dancers; and the evening's finale - Punjabi Bhangra dancing by a lively enthusiastic crowd were among entertainment highlights.

Everyone was elated by the promise and prospects that such partnerships may hold as we forge and advance the economic, educational, cultural, sports, and multifaceted exchanges by strategic visionary cooperation and investments. We came away from this fabulous evening with renewed hope and pride about the possible, united in our resolve, and more optimistic.

We are especially excited that Hoosier Asian Indians are spearheading this effort and working closely with our Governor and a whole galaxy of friendly partners to facilitate the widening of windows to the world, of our State and the Country of India to expand the free flow of creative ideas, positive energy, and brilliant talents that would benefit both Indiana and India. We welcome other emerging prospects and possibilities and can imagine giant leaps in constructive initiatives in the years ahead between INDIANA AND INDIA. A few photos are attached to provide a glimpse of the festive spirit and spectacular images of the evening. ~ Respectfully, KP Singh (KP Singh Designs) - Indianapolis, Indiana USA - August 11, 2021