  Message from the President
Dear Friends,
As President of the National Federation of Indian American Associations (NFIA), I am delighted to convey this message to you. I am grateful to all of you for placing your confidence in me by electing me to head this association during the national convention in New York in September 2010, which also marked the 30th anniversary of the illustrious, umbrella organization for the Indian American community.
I am proud to say that having been associated with NFIA from its inception, I have seen it grow to emerge as the voice of Indians in America. It is the ONLY organization that provides a common platform to address concerns of our growing Indian community, regardless of their professional backgrounds or affiliations. At present, NFIA represents nearly 3.0 million Indian Americans.
I also take pride in reporting that NFIA has played a major role over the years in strengthening the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the US and India, the oldest and largest democracies, respectively. We are also striving to take the growing partnership to a new level, so the two nations united can serve as one powerful source to provide solutions to the intractable problems our world is facing. NFIA and the US Congress can also work together on common goals like trade and technological advancement, homeland security, combating global terrorism and global warming.
The enviable growth of the Indian community in the US is not just in numbers, but also in financial and professional success as well as rising political clout—which I have watched closely being an architect by profession, and having served three decades in New York with major organizations such as Port Authority and the Housing Authority. I was also elected President for one term of the Society of the Indo American Engineers and Architects. I believe that it is imperative at this juncture for us to stay alert and remain united to protect our culture, our rights and the way of our life. Rest assured that like in the past, NFIA will continue to address the issues impacting our community.
Based on my experience of active involvement in a few apex community organizations (Founding Member of GOPIO--Global Organization of People of Indian Origin, and first Coordinator of FIA's India Day Parade in New York, to name just two), I have come to the conclusion that for any non-profit organization to succeed it needs to secure cooperation from the business community for funds and a committed team of volunteers to carry out the work. During my two-year term as NFIA President I am focusing on both these fronts. After ascertaining other priority areas of the Indian community, I have taken initiative to get more involvement of youths, women and senior citizens. To serve that end, three committees have been formed, one each for these three groups.
I am blessed to be working with an active and cooperative Executive Committee. With their support and cooperation from the community, we hope to achieve many more milestones for NFIA and the community.
Best wishes,
Lal K.Motwani
President (2010-2012), NFIA |
