The Association of Indians in America (AIA) and its Business Council honored five business leaders and hosted a discussion on artificial intelligence at the AIA Business Council & Kautilya Awards Night on November 1, 2026, in Woodbury, New York.
According to a statement from AIA, more than 250 people attended the event at Crest Hollow Country Club, including corporate executives, entrepreneurs and community leaders. The awards recognized leaders in aerospace and precision manufacturing, gemstones, consumer products, biotechnology and financial services under the theme “Power Builders of Scale.”
AIA National President Nilima Madan discussed the relevance of Kautilya, also known as Chanakya, the Indian strategist, economist and author of the Arthashastra. She connected his ideas on preparation, innovation, alliances and responsible leadership to contemporary business challenges, emphasizing the use of wealth and influence for the common good, the statement said.
Ravi Bhooplapur, chair of the AIA Board of Trustees, outlined the organization’s activities and acknowledged the organizing team. Dr. Samin Sharma, gala chair and immediate past chairman of the board, discussed healthcare initiatives serving disadvantaged communities in India.
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Madan and Bhooplapur presented the 2026 Kautilya Awards to:
- Aravind Melligeri, chairman of Aequs and co-founder of QuEST Global, for his work in aerospace and precision manufacturing, including the development of integrated manufacturing ecosystems in India.
- Ashok Sancheti, president of Pioneer Gems in New York, for his work in the gemstone industry and philanthropy. In his remarks, Sancheti shared his guru’s advice that learning and earning should be followed by returning to society through humanitarian service.
- Pankaj Bhalla, senior vice president at Procter & Gamble and CEO of Gillette North America, for his leadership in the consumer products industry.
- Dr. Samarth (Sam) Kulkarni, CEO of CRISPR Therapeutics, for his leadership in biotechnology. According to the statement, his work includes advancing the first approved gene-edited treatment and a pipeline targeting cancer, cardiovascular conditions and autoimmune diseases.
- Yakub Mathew, managing director at Wells Fargo Advisors in New York, for his work in financial services. Mathew has nearly four decades of experience across Citibank, HSBC and Wells Fargo and is the author of Seeking the Infinite: Maha Kumbh 2025, a multifaith exploration of the Kumbh Mela’s spiritual significance.
The evening also included a panel discussion titled “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Innovation, Economic Progress & Responsible Global Leadership.”
Organized by Kalpana Patel, president and CEO of Unique Comp, Inc., and co-chair of the AIA Business Council, the panel featured Andrew Rasiej, Maulik Bhansali, Siddhartha Kaul, Gary Rado, Hardik Bhilota, Sookie Pyo, Nilesh Mamdani and Sai Chowdhary. Corey David Johnson moderated.
According to the statement, panelists discussed AI’s potential to increase productivity, support innovation and contribute to economic growth. They also examined cybersecurity, governance, public trust, sustainability and changes to the workforce, emphasizing responsible implementation and applications centered on human needs.
Madan, Sharma, Business Council Co-Chairs Patel and Gobind Bathija, and Organizing Committee Chair Harish Thakkar presented appreciation plaques to the panelists and moderator.
The program featured a classical music performance by tabla artist Rimpa Siva of the Farukhabad gharana and sitarist Abhik Mukherjee of the Etawah-Imdadkhani gharana.
Madan thanked the honorees, panelists, performers, sponsors, volunteers and guests, acknowledging Patel, Bathija, Thakkar and Banquet Committee Chair Neelam Modi for their roles in organizing the event. AIA also recognized Immediate Past National President Gobind Munjal, its National Executive Committee, Board of Trustees and chapter representatives. Thakkar delivered the vote of thanks.
The statement said AIA received messages recognizing the awards initiative from India’s Consul General in New York Binaya S. Pradhan, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman.
Madan also outlined plans for the Charaka and Sushruta Medical Awards in 2027 and celebrations marking AIA’s 60th anniversary.
