The National Council of Asian Indian Associations (NCAIA) hosted a welcome reception for Satyapriya Singh, the recently appointed Minister (Community Affairs and Personnel) at the Embassy of India, on November 1 at the Magnoliya Grand Conference and Event Center in Manassas, Virginia.
In her address, Singh said she had met many members of the Indian diaspora throughout the Washington metropolitan region and beyond since joining the Embassy of India a couple of months earlier.
“Everywhere I go, I see a community that is dynamic, accomplished, generous, and deeply committed to strengthening the relationship between India and the United States. Organizations like the NCAIA play a vital role in this journey,” she added. “Over the years, NCAIA has earned respect for its efforts to preserve and promote Indian culture, celebrate our shared heritage, support community causes, encourage civic engagement, and ultimately strengthen the India-US friendship.”
She praised NCAIA for consistently emphasizing “service, inclusion, advocacy, education, and community empowerment,” while providing opportunities for people across generations to connect and participate in community activities.
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Singh said diaspora members, through cultural programs, community gatherings, educational activities, and public events, have kept India’s rich civilizational heritage alive among younger generations. These efforts, she noted, also introduce the beauty and diversity of Indian culture to the broader American public.
“Your efforts contribute significantly to people-to-people ties between the two great democracies,” she said, adding that these initiatives help future generations remain connected to their roots while becoming active contributors to the societies in which they live and giving back to the country that has supported their success.
Singh recognized NCAIA’s leadership for its longstanding cooperation with the Embassy in advancing shared community outreach goals. On behalf of the Embassy and India’s Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Kwatra, she expressed appreciation for NCAIA’s active support of India’s national celebrations, International Day of Yoga, cultural festivals, community interactions, and programs organized during visits by dignitaries from India.
“This partnership has helped us reach wider audiences and strengthen our connect with the Indian American diaspora. The Indian American community exhibits one of the greatest success stories of our times,” Singh said. She highlighted the diaspora’s contributions to science, technology, healthcare, education, business, entrepreneurship, public service, and public policy.
She added that organizations such as NCAIA have helped direct this success toward community building, philanthropy, cultural preservation, and public engagement. As India and the United States expand cooperation across various sectors, she said, community organizations will remain essential partners in strengthening the human dimension of the bilateral relationship.
Welcoming the chief guest, NCAIA Trustee Chairman Sunil Singh said the new minister had been actively engaging with the community since assuming her responsibilities at the Embassy. He expressed support for her work on behalf of the community and welcomed the opportunity for continued cooperation.
Anil Sharma, CEO of 22nd Century Technologies, encouraged first-generation immigrants to preserve their cultural heritage while pursuing success in the United States. He called for greater community unity in response to what he described as rising anti-Indian narratives in the country. Sharma also urged community members to exercise their right to vote in the November 3 midterm elections.
OFBJP-USA President Adapa Prasad discussed the strength and contributions of the Indian American community in the United States, with particular emphasis on its activities and engagement throughout the Washington metropolitan area.
NCAIA Co-Chairman Kripa Singh, Pradeep Sengar of Magnoliya Conference Center, NCAIA’s Vikram Singh, Balagan Arumugam of Balagan Business and Tax Service, former NCAIA President D. Gopinath, representatives of Tanishq and RANA, and other attendees also welcomed Singh to her new position at the Embassy and pledged their support for her work.
NCAIA’s Avni Tatipamula read a message from NCAIA President Srinivas Tatipamula, who was traveling in India. NCAIA’s Jayshri Telukuntla presented a saree from Hyderabad to the chief guest, and NCAIA Chairperson Nayna Desai delivered the vote of thanks.
