Indo-American entrepreneurs from all around the United States gathered on Friday May 17, 2002 at the Hyatt Regency in Cambridge, MA to bring awareness and raise funds for the American India Foundation (AIF), a charitable institution started by the former President Bill Clinton to help towards the reconstruction of Gujarat. Successful entrepreneurs have used their leadership skills to take some steps to not just raise large sums of money but also to use it in effective ways to make a difference in Gujarat.

The event was attended by many of the leading entrepreneurs including Desh Deshpande (Founder and CEO Sycamore Networks), Samir Desai (President TiE-Atlantic), Santhana Krishnan (Co-founder and Chairman, InteQ), Mukesh Chatter (Founder and CEO Axiowave), Ramesh Kapur (Founder and CEO Med-Tech Gases), Raj Vattikuti (Founder and CEO Covansys), Anil Bhandari (Vice President Solomon Smith Barney) and others. Many leading doctors including Dr. Kiran Patel (President Elect AAPI), Dr. Dinesh Patel (Founder Psychomotor Lab), Dr. Janine Saldana, Dr. Victor Saldana and others were present.

“AIF was started as an emotional response to the Gujarat earthquake,” says Lata Krishnan, who is the President of AIF. “In a short period of just twelve months AIF has managed to raise $8 million. We have partnered with 19 credible NGOs in India that have swiftly utilized AIF funds to construct over 1900 homes, regenerate livelihood for 2000 artisans, construct schools serving over 6000 students and build four hospitals.” While the original goal was for the reconstruction of Gujarat, the organization has now been expanded to help fund projects all over India.

Mr. Victor Menezes, Chariman and CEO of Citibank, was the keynote speaker for the evening. Victor Menezes is one of the founding trustees of AIF. “We owe a lot to India and by raising money and sharing our ideas for India’s development we all will grow,” said Menezes. As part of his address, he presented four lessons that he has learnt in his life. “Embrace complexity, emphasize your accomplishments, live below your means and most importantly marry well!” said Menezes.

The event ended with a vote of thanks by Mr. Pradip Kashyap, the executive director of the AIF foundation who urged everyone to donate generously to the worthy cause.

The event was an elegant affair set in the Empress room of the Hyatt Regency. Rahul Singh, a Venture Capitalist from the Boston area, sponsored the dinner for the evening. Ramesh Kapur, along with Brian Santhumayor and others who were responsible for the coordination of the event created a great deal of enthusiasm for the cause. It was heartening to see the passion among the trustees of the organization to give back to the society. Many of them have also established individual foundations to help many different causes.

To learn more about AIF please check out their web site at www.aifoundation.org.

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