American Indian Foundation 2004 Awards Gala
Apr. 2, 2004
Roseland Ballroom
The American Indian Foundation had a great awards gala on Friday, April 2 of this year. A little history about the American India Foundation. The organization was founded with a vision of providing educational, economic and social empowerment for the people of India, as well as to make healthcare available to the underprivileged. In essence, its purpose is to bridge “the dream” with “the reality.” Some of the work the American India Foundation has done through the investment in Non-Governmental Organizations that do innovative projects, with the ability to leverage resources. Their accomplishments include the raising of $16,000,000 in grants, the completion of committing all of the resources raised towards the rehabilitation of Gujarat earthquake survivors. Other accomplishments include the introduction of digital technology in education to 75 underprivileged schools across India through the Digital Equalizer program, and the sending of 71 young Americans to work with Indian NGO’s under their Service Corps Fellowships.
This was a great event. It started off with a cocktail hour, during which we enjoyed some great, traditional Indian hors d’ oeuvres. After the cocktail hour, everyone moved into the dining area to receive a warm welcome from the emcee, Sakina Jaffrey, who spoke briefly about the American India Foundation, its visions, and its visionaries. She informed everyone that the organization had raised over $1,000,000 that same night.
Mr. Jaffrey then introduced Shekar Kapoor, the Academy Award winning Director, who has directed many, blockbuster movies in Bollywood, India, including his latest smash hit, “Elizabeth.” We then listened to Senator Hillary R. Clinton speak on behalf of Bill Clinton, the Honorary Chairman. Sen. Clinton spoke in Mr. Clinton’s absence because he is currently writing a book which, according to Sen. Clinton jokingly commented “will be completed in a few more days or never.” Sen. Clinton spoke about the work this organization is doing, and how its endeavors actually apply to the global community—India’s well-being is everyone’s well-being.
We then heard from the first honoree, Sir Deryck Maughan, Vice Chairman of Citigroup and Chairman and CEO of Cigitroup International, two of the AIF’s most generous contributors. Citigroup International provides a broad range of consumer financial services, investment management and corporate and investment banking services to over 50,000,000 customers in more than 100 countries. Sir Maughan’s impressive background includes Director of Travelers Group, Chairman and co-CEO of Salomon Smith Barney, prior to which he was chairman and CEO of Salomon Brothers, which he joined in 1983. Sir Maughan gave a warm thank you to the audience, and also acknowledged all of the staff members of the American India Foundation for their hard work and dedication, and briefly spoke about the organization’s tremendous accomplishments.
The next speaker was the managing director of ICICI Bank, India’s largest private sector bank, K. Vaman Kamath. Mr. Kamath has over thirty years of banking and financial experience. Mr. Kamath started his career in 1971 with ICICI Ltd., prior to which he had worked with the Asian Development Bank in Manila, Philippines. He joined ICICI’s board in 1995 and became Managing Director and CEO the following year. Mr. Kamath still holds this position today, after the merger of ICICI Ltd., with ICICI Bank. Mr. Kamath spoke about the great work the American Indian Foundation is doing.
Other notables who were at the event were Ismail Merchant, partner to director James Ivory and screenwriter Ruth Prawer Jhabvala in the world-renowned Merchant Ivory Productions and Chair of the Gala. Mr. Merchant has produced over 40 films, including the Oscar winning Howards end (1992) and A Room with a View (1986).
Sant Singh Chatwal, President of Hampshire Hotels and Resorts, LLC. Mr. Chatwal has built a global business empire in hotels and restaurants, spanning the U.S., Canada and parts of the U.K..
In addition, everyone had a real treat when world renowned actor Richard Gere made a guest appearance.
E. Stanley O’Neal, Chairman and CEO of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., and one of the speakers for the evening heads one of the world’s leading personal and institutional financial management and advisory firms, with offices in 36 countries and total client assets of approximately $1.4 trillion.
This was a great event, which was complimented by a most delicious meal that was supplied by the Bombay Palace in New York, all within the lush environment of the famous Roseland Ballroom. After dinner the crowd all enjoyed a preview performance of Bombay Dreams at the Broadway Theatre, which was immediately followed by a generous champagne reception. Anyone wishing more information about the American India Foundation may visit their website, at http://www.aifoundation.org/ Anyone interested in purchasing tickets to see Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s production of Bombay Dreams may visit their website at http://www.bombaydreams.com.
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