2018 UIANE  Election Results

The United India Association of New England held the general body election for Executive Committee and board of directors on Sunday, December 3rd from 3-5pm at Nirvana Restaurant in Cambridge, MA. The newly elected Officers and Directors of the United India Association of New England are as follows:

President: Rakashi Chand 
Vice President: Aditi Soni 
Treasurer: Anil Sood
Secretary: Priyadarshini Kumar 
Communications Officer: Parvin Khetarpal 

Board of Directors 

Vikas Selhi
Sonia Sharma 
Neeta Datta 
Gyaneshwar Varma 
Manisha Chowdhary 
Aanch Jain 
Rakesh Soni
Veena Kapoor 
Salra Kalra
Sajani Shah Kapasi 
Vibha Sood

The new team thanks the Board of Advisors for their support and guidance: Kidar Vaid, Dolly Rajah, Devendra Dutt, Suresh Gidwani, Mool Raj Mathur, Jatinder Sharma, Shobha Khetarpal, Vijay Selhi and Neela Gandhi.

The United India Association looks forward to an innovative, successful and exciting year in 2018!

"I would like to first express my most sincere gratitude to everyone who came out to vote in our 2018 election. My thanks to the Board of Advisors, the Nominating Committee, the Board of Directors and the Excutive Committee. I am grateful for this opportunity! The United India Association and I look forward to an innovative, successful and exciting 2018!

35 years ago, the United Indian Association of New England was founded with the following mission: to serve the Indian Community of New England, to bring the Community together, and to share our beautiful Indian culture and heritage. 

As President of the United India Association of New England, I want to focus on those founding principles to continue the Organization’s progress towards a brighter and more significant future. Another key aspect to our continued growth and success is collaboration; By collaborating with one another as a team to lead the Association, as well as collaborating with other organizations to make a greater impact for the benefit of the community.”

The United India Association of New England prides itself on organizing unparalleled events, including a stellar New Year's Ball, Holi Festival, Health Fair, Community Picnic, and Diwali Cultural Show. 

Now, our goal is not only to create wonderful events, but also to serve the community and cultivate a culture of Seva.

We would also like to provide support and strength to our community at a time when so many are concerned. Now more than ever, in the face of adversity, hate crimes, unwarranted violence, and a rise in discrimination throughout the United States, our community needs strength, guidance and unity. We must restore faith and strength to the members of our community.  We are stronger together!

In 2018 we hope to introduce many new ideas and events such as:

*We will be organizing “United India Association Gives”, an initiative to raise funds and to do community service for various charities, both in India and locally in Massachusetts. Please join us in our community service endeavors throughout the year ahead.

*We are hoping to do an event celebrating women, and welcome your thoughts and suggestions!

*We will acknowledge the accomplishments of young people in our community by creating UIANE “Youth Ambassadors”. We want to increase the attendance and participation of young people at meetings of the United India Association. 

*I work in the field of History, so I am hoping to begin an Oral History project focusing on the elders of our community, especially those who were part of the 20th century diaspora. 

*We are hoping to do much more in 2018, but first the Board and the Executive Committee want to hear from YOU, the Community! We would love to hear your suggestions and ideas on how we can better serve the community and what kinds of events or activities you would like to see in 2018! We value your thoughts and input! 

I am so thankful for this opportunity and want to thank all the members for their faith, support and blessings. When I was 10 years old, eleven Community leaders gathered at the home of Mr. Kidar Vaid to create the United India Association of New England including my Dada Ji, Harbans Khetarpal. The Association has always been a part of my life and close to my heart. I am even more humbled and honored to serve as president with my ten-year-old Daughter by my side. My father came to this country in 1961, and within ten years he had settled his entire family in Boston, MA. My Dada Ji (Grandfather) was a beloved community leader throughout his life, and had served as President of both the United Indian Association of New England and the India Association of Greater Boston. I am honored to follow in his footsteps and continue my family’s long tradition of Service to our Community.

I hope to fulfill this role to the best of my ability and to serve the association and our community faithfully.

UIANE'S mission for  2018:

Serve the community, Connect the community, and Share our culture."

Rakashi Chand, President Elect 2018

And here is information and Comments from my Vice-President, Aditi Soni:

“Aditi Soni is a scientist working with Novartis Institute of Biomedical Research (NIBR). Prior to this she had been working at Harvard Medical School (BIDMC) for number of years. She has done her education from Delhi University and Panjab University in India. In addition to her passion to find a cure for patients, Aditi is co-chair of a grass root employee resource group at NIBR. She is working actively to promote the Diversity & Inclusion vision, and enhance the professional growth and development of its 500+ members regardless of their gender or position in Novartis. Aditi lives in Brookline with her husband Rakesh Soni and son Aditya Soni who have been very active in United India Association and Indian community for many years.

“My family came to Brookline in 2002 where I found United India Association as my extended family to enjoy the cultural and social celebrations. I found this resource to help me pass on our rich Indian heritage to my son. Since then I have relished, contributed and volunteered for UIA in different capacity. Now as Vice president, I see it as a give back opportunity to my wonderful extended family and community. We will extend our efforts and initiatives for youth, women and elders. We hope to collaborate with other organizations doing great work in greater Boston area. I am looking forward to work with Rakashi and our wonderful team to build memories which our community will cherish forever.””

|