AIF New York Spring Awards Gala Showcases Clinton Fellowship

May 17, 2012 - PRLog -- AIF New York Spring Awards Gala Showcases Clinton Fellowship

New York City – May 14th, 2012: On Thursday, May 10th 2012 at the Sheraton New York, the American India Foundation raised over $1.35 million at its spectacular Annual Spring Awards Gala. This year’s gala showcased the AIF William J. Clinton Fellowship for Service in India. The audience, laden with key figures in business, arts, and culture, honored internationally renowned business leaders Chanda Kochhar, Managing Director & CEO of ICICI Bank, from India and John B. Veihmeyer, Chairman and CEO of KPMG LLP from the United States for their continued corporate and philanthropic leadership and their outstanding efforts in supporting solutions for persistent social issues the world over. The gala was chaired by Frits Van Paasschen, CEO of Starwood Hotels; Sribala Subramanian; and Arvind Raghunathan, CEO of Roc Capital Management LP. Guests were also treated to video speeches by key AIF leaders such as Honorary Chair, President Bill Clinton.

Attendees mingled at the reception while being entertained by the talented Mathew Furman, World Renowned Magician to the Stars. With Seema Mody, CNBC Reporter/Anchor, as Mistress of Ceremonies, the evening kicked off with a glamorous fashion show by contemporary high fashion designer Soigne K. Guests shopped the luxurious collection with 30% of proceeds going to AIF. Later in the evening, Sandhya Jain Patel, Specialist on Indian and Southeast Asian Art at Christie’s, lead an exciting live auction and guests bid on priceless items such as Kolkata Knight Riders VIP tickets and a KKR cricket bat autographed by Shahrukh Khan, round trip first class tickets from NYC to London donated by luxury travel boutique Spotnana, and VIP seats to the premiere of Deepa Mehta’s upcoming film ‘Midnight’s Children’ plus dinner with the cast. The enthusiasm generated lasted throughout the pledge drive, where AIF supporters pledged impressive commitments to the success of the Fellowship Program.

Highlighting this year’s Spring Awards Gala were testimonials by former AIF Fellows themselves, showcasing the program that helped change their lives, describing the transformations they went through and recounting the lessons they learned. AIF’s William J. Clinton’s Fellowship for Service in India aims to create a community of socially engaged, global citizens who represent the leaders of tomorrow.

"I am honored that AIF chose to rename its Service Corps Fellowship the William J. Clinton Fellowship for Service in India. This program has always been especially meaningful to me, as it blends my passion for India with my belief in citizen service. The alumni of the program are shining examples of how we all have the ability to make a difference."

- President Bill Clinton

Since its founding in 2001, AIF has raised and deployed over $70 million to support its programs in the areas of education, livelihoods and public health. As a result of its work, more than 1.5 million of India’s poorest and marginalized people have taken their first step up the ladder of economic opportunity. President Bill Clinton serves as Honorary Chair and Nobel Laureate Professor Amartya Sen Chairs the Advisory Council.

         


#   -   #   -   #