Author: IAALV President

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Overcoming Fear and Anxiety in These Trying Times!

Acting As a Catalyst for Reversing the Current Environment of Intolerance into Acceptance!!

Dear Esteemed Members of Our Community:

There is genuine and valid concern about the discriminatory actions of some who have been emboldened by the current political atmosphere. They have always been among us, but had not expressed their views as openly as they do now. However, America is still very welcoming and most people are good Samaritans keeping the American promise and its greatness alive. One such example is Mr. Ian Grillot, a 24-year-old from Olathe, Kansas who took a bullet in Kansas fatality of an Indian-American.

It is our responsibility to report any discriminatory behavior to appropriate authorities, but it is also our duty to appreciate our friends, colleagues, neighbors, school mates and others who love and respect us – it does not matter what the apparent differences are between us.

We, Indian-Americans need to be the catalyst for this change – reversing the current environment of intolerance into acceptance – and must continue to be inclusive and open-minded and get to know people from all communities around us. We are a fortunate people because we originate in a country that exemplifies the true meaning of unity in diversity. Inherently we know how it is done. Now we need to demonstrate it here.

We will continue to discuss our concerns with the various government bodies so they are aware of our concerns and our contributions. To that effect, I am sharing letters that IAALV Board Member and Legal Counsel Deepak Sharma, Esq. has just sent to Hon. Congressman Charlie Dent and Hon. Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Josh Shapiro regarding our concerns seeking a meeting and press conference.

Please ensure that our community members are aware of the actions IAALV has taken to make 7000 plus Lehigh Valley Americans of Indian Descent (irrespective of their affiliations) relevant and safe.

Let us all forge ahead together with a single unified voice as IAALV continually strives for the betterment of the community we serve, and the community at large.

Happy Navaratri, Easter, and Lailat al Miraj! May these Festivities Bring Us All Together Overcoming Bigotry, Intolerance and Hate thus Giving Us a Better Understanding of Our Shared Future and Making the World a Better Place to Live in Harmony!!

Please click on the following link to view the letters sent to our elected officials:

IAALV Letter to Congressman Dent (PDF)

IAALV Letter to Atty. General Shapiro (PDF)

 

Arun Kumar

IAALV President 2017

484-358-2335 (Mobile)

 

Ashim Bhowmick

IAALV Board Chair 2017-18

610-966-5057 (Home)

610-457-4205 (Mobile)

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A letter from the IAALV President

Hi,

I am Aparna and I am the new president of IAALV. As you probably know I have been with the association for the last two years as a Program Manager and also as Program Director. It is with great humility I have accepted this position with the association. I will strive to do my best to the association and also to the community we live in.

To do my best, I will need all the help and support I can get from the Indian community. That is why I am reaching out to you. Me and my newly elected team are open to suggestions to get our association more in the fore front. I know that you have the right ideas and I will work hard to get it implemented should it help in our overall goal.

As of now, IAALV is known for the Diwali, Independence day, Foods of India etc. Our association is a lot more than just those functions. That is the fun side of IAALV. We have a serious side as well. We do a lot of community service in the local area which have gone unnoticed. We have a wing that educates Lehigh Valley prisoners. We provide help to the senior citizens in the valley. We do food drives for the needy. There is plenty more which we do, which we need to bring to the limelight.

What I want to do during my tenure is to get the association’s name out. Not just as an association that does cultural programs, but one that truly works with the local American community. This is where I need help from you. Come and become a part of the association. We here work as a family. We all have full time jobs which we have to take care of, but any help you can give, be it in terms of volunteering or donations or becoming a member of the association will all help. I know it may be asking too much. I understand everyone would love to spend time with their families, which I love to do as well, with my husband and my 5 year old daughter, but being a part of IAALV has given me exposure to so much more that I truly enjoy. I am able to now proudly say that I am a part of a group which does not stop at promoting the Indian culture to our American friends, but also be able to give back to the community that has helped us thrive.

With that being said, I look forward to your help and assistance in any which way you can. You can visit our website at www.iaalv.org to learn more about who we are and what we do and that, will give you an idea as to where you can help!

If you want to know more about how you can help or what is it that we do, send us an email to info@iaalv.org . Let us talk and let us make this association attain its true glory!!!

Aparna
President – IAALV

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Election of IAALV Executive Committee 2016-17

OUR NEXT STEP TO ESTABLISH THE NEW TEAM:

A lot will depend on the leadership and management skills of The TEAM RUNNING the organization for the next two years! 🙂

  
 

Dear Esteemed Members of our Community:

 
 

All are cordially invited to IAALV Annual General Body (GB) Meeting and Election of 2016-17 IAALV Executive Committee (EC) are convened as per the schedule below.

 
 

Date: Saturday, Dec 19, 2015

Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM (GB Meeting and Election of 2016-17 IAALV EC)

Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 Noon (EC Meeting)

Venue: Hindu Temple Society, 4200 Airport Rd, Allentown, PA 18109, Phone:(610) 264-2810

 

Kindly make it convenient to attend the meeting as it is important for us all.

 
 

ELECTION OF THE 2016-17 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:

 
 

As per constitution of IAALV, the term of office of the current executive committee has come to a close and elections are due for the selection of new executive committee for the two year term 2016-17 with their term beginning on Jan 1st 2016. 

 
 

Accordingly, nominations are invited for Election to the Executive Committee. As outgoing IAALV President, I have installed a nominating committee with the following members:

 
 

Chair: Surender Dayal 610-392- 5851

Members: Kamacharulu Ramoju 678-779-1606, Ashok Khandelwal 732-318-9418

 
 

who are entrusted to find few good people who have the leadership and understanding to take the association forward for the benefit of 7000 plus Lehigh Valley Indian-Americans 

 

We have several positions of program managers and members at large currently open, interested candidates are requested either to call members of the nominating committee or send their nomination

to the president@iaalv.org by or before the nomination deadline midnight of Sat Dec 12th.  All the eligible nominations received per the deadline indicated above, shall be placed on the slate by the nominating committee for election.

 
 

With best regards,

Ashim Bhowmick

President, IAALV 2014-15

610-966-5057 (Home)

610-457-4205 (Mobile)