I ACF-US celebrated it’s annual Unity in Diversity dinner 2012 at the Fremont Marriott with a gathering of over 400 people. The Topic for this year’s Unity Dinner 2012 was “Creating Jobs in California.” The program started with Fremont Mayor Gus Morrison opening the event and Yogi Chugh from the Fremont Planning Commission paying homage to Late Fremont Mayor Bob Wasserman. The keynote speaker Carl Guardino, CEO of the Silicon Valley Leadership group, spoke about the job requirement and the policies.

Niraj Baxi, the GOPIO and NFIA Founding member introduced Honorable Consulate General of India Mr.N.Parthasarthi and then the GOPIO Silicon Valley Chapter Team.

Indian Consul General Parthasarthi commended Zutshi for organizing such a great event having all the Community leaders under one roof.

Jeevan Zutshi, founder IACFUS and the GOPIO International Area Coordinator for the Western region introduced GOPIO Silicon Valley President Ajay Jain Bhutoria at the event. Bhutoria introduced the GOPIO SV Team who will be working with him, Directors- Niloy Banerjee, Ena Sarkar, Rohit Saini, Sheetal Ohri, Priya Gandhi, Raj Nathawat, Co chair Malini Patel, Rishi Chopra and Volunteer Ritu Maheshwari. There were Commendments, certificates and letters send for the Unity Dinner 2012 from the offices of Governor Jerry Brown, Lt.Governor Gavin Newsom, Congressman Michael Honda, Assemblymember Bob Wieckowski’s and from San Jose City Council.

Ajay Jain Bhutoria told IE “I definitely plan to work for the enhancement of the Indian Community here in the Bay area and the Mission of the GOPIO SV will be focused on working at raising awareness and issues for resolution in all areas ranging from education, immigration, healthcare, political education related to South-Asians/ Indo-Americans and working for cohesive growth of USA and Indian relationship and world at large. The new board will be working towards building bilateral relationships between Silicon Valley and other GOPIO chapters worldwide in context of the defined focus areas.”

Jeevan Zutshi, welcomed the team saying “As the founding member and past President of this GOPIO local chapter, I feel blessed to see such a dynamic team take tremendous interest in building this chapter very strong for the benefit of global Indian community.”

He also told IE- “IACF-US is committed to serve the entire community by promoting Unity in Diversity by celebrating this annual dinner and it’s very welcoming to see the support of the community in the 11th year celebrations.”

Later part of the Unity Dinner 2012, program comprised of Unity and Diversity lessons and the speakers were Alameda County 4 Supervisor Nate Miley, Board President, Dr.Basil Besh, Chairman of Orthopedics, Washington Hospital, Attorney, Anjali Shaykher Zutshi and Congressman Mike Honda giving his speech on the Unity in the community. There were performances by Rhythmnsteps Dance school children coordinated by the Founder Sudha Mudra Binani, the performing children were all under 12 years and by “Dholrhythmns” group coordinated by Vicki Virk and The Radio Zindagi RJ’s Rohit Saini and Priya Gandhi provided live singing towards the end of the program. Local organizations FIA, FIANC, NFIA, SAJA were present at the event.

IACF Leadership awards were given to: TV Asia for being the Voice of the Indo-Americans in the U.S, Dr.Harmesh Kumar for promoting Diversity in California, Anna Wang of Friends of Children with special needs for Volunteer of the year, Rahul Roy for Entrepreneur of the year, Ken Maxey for 2012 Champion of Diversity, IACF Community awards were given to, Shashi Sharma for IACF Hero of the year and Ron Demetro for Community Service.