The National Indo-American Association for Senior Citizens (NIAASC), a non-profit founded in 1999, celebrated its 35th National Conference and 25th Anniversary on November 9, 2024, at the Kerala Center in Elmont, NY.
The day-long event brought together Indian American senior citizens, community leaders, healthcare experts, and supporters, a press release from NIAASC (niaasc.org) said.
President of the organization Gunjan Rastogi welcomed attendees and acknowledged the accomplishments of NIAASC over the past 35 years. “Today is about celebrating not only our organization’s history but also our commitment to continually addressing the needs of our senior community. We are incredibly grateful for the dedication of our board members, supporters, and collaborative partners who have helped NIAASC grow and thrive,” Rastogi said in her opening remarks.
Rajeshwar Prasad, the founder and the chairman of NIAASC presented recounted the journey of NIAASC over more than three decades.
The conference highlighted practical topics that organizers considered essential to the health, wellness, and daily life of seniors. Key sessions included:
- “Practical Points to Achieve Healthier Outcomes with Nutrition” presented by nutrition expert Rita Shah Batheja, offering attendees insights on how nutrition choices directly impact health outcomes and well-being.
- “How to Stay Out of Hospitals” by Dr. Subramanium Srinivasan, focused on preventive healthcare measures that seniors can adopt to support long-term wellness and reduce hospital visits.
- “Enhancing Daily Life with New Technology” by Dr. John Power, introduced seniors to technological tools designed to improve quality of life, mobility, and communication.
Attendees enjoyed breakfast, sponsored by India Home. Rastogi thanked the sponsors and donors for their contributions in making the conference free of charge to the NIAASC members and attendees. She also thanked the volunteers who helped moving the conference smoothly.
The presidents of the collaborating organizations included Gobind Munjal, president of National AIA (Association of Indians in America); and Alex Esthappan, president of the Kerala Center. They thanked NIAASC for the partnership and for providing services for seniors.
Cultural performances featured Pradeep Rastogi and Vandana Kumar.
Organizers also honored Bharat Rana of FISANA (Federation of Indian Seniors’ Associations of North America) and senior program of Indo-American Seniors of New York, for their service.
Rajeshwar Prasad was recognized with a Founders Award for his “vison and pioneering spirit in advancing and shaping the senior community,” the press release said.
The day concluded with the 25th NIAASC General Body Meeting, featuring annual reports and organizational updates.
(Used with permission)
