Desi Talk

www.desitalkchicago.com – that’s all you need to know 16 CITY VIEWS November 11, 2022 Chicago’s Metropolitan Asian Family Services Recognizes Congressman Krishnamoorthi C ongressman Raja Krishnamoorthi was recently honored by Metropolitan Asian Family Services (MAFS), a Chicago-based organization that serves immigrant communities from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and regions across the world. The award was announced at MAFS’ 30th anni- versary event in October. Rep. Krishnamoorthi was recognized for his continued support for and encour- agement of the organization. Since its inception, MAFS has served immigrant communities by providing help through education, counseling, health care services, and more. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, MAFS delivered more than 20,000 meals to seniors in need while moni- toring their well-being through personal outreach, a press release from Rep. Krishnamoorthi’s office. “I was honored to receive this award fromMetro- politan Asian Family Services and I’ve been grateful to work with them to provide essential health, education, and support services to immigrant families and seniors in our region,” the Congressman said. “Immigrants often face a range of challenges in adjusting to life in the United States and for three decades, MAFS has provided critical assistance to help families not only make a home in the United States, but also become valued contributors to their community,” he said, adding, “I look forward to continuing to work with MAFS in our area, as well as supporting immi- grants everywhere through my work in Congress.” By a StaffWriter Photo:courtesyOffice of Rep.Krishnamoorthi Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Illinois, who was recognized in October 2022, by Chicago-based Metropolitan Asian Family Services, receives the award for supporting the organization, from Grants Manager at MAFS, Roshita Pandey. T he South Asian American Policy & Research Insti- tute held it 21st Anniversary Fundraiser recently, celebrating South Asian American history and art. Organizers thanked sponsors and donors for their support for the event which was held Oct. 28, 2022, at Urban Convene Chicago, to commemorate two decades of service to the community since it was established in 2001. The goal of the fundraiser was to raise $20,000. Event ticket included access to SAAPRI’s “Memories and Milestones” exhibit – a pictorial and nar- rative history of the South Asian immigrant experience in Illinois between 1945 and 1965. “A special thanks to our supporters and sponsors – State Senator RamVillivalam, EliteWellness – Highland Park, SNtial Technologies, Inc., Dr. Mridu D. Sekhar, and Ms. Shabnum Sanghvi,” the organization said in a No- vember 6 press release. SAAPRI members, from left, SAAPRI Health Equity Project Intern Emmanuel Ravichandar, SAAPRI Research & Policy Intern Maya Bhowmik, Executive Director of SAAPRI Shobhana J. Verma, SAAPRI Board Member Susan Patel, SAAPRI Board President Dr. Ann Kalayil, SAAPRI Board Member Anita Banerji, SAAPRI Research and Civic Engagement Intern Karan Gowda Donors included Be Yoga Andersonville, Mata Ne New AsianWine Club, Chicago Bulls, Regal Jewels, Sari Sapne, Wines for Humanity, Uru Swati, Noopur Banerji McKen- na, Ashraf Manji, Dr. Shubha Ahya and Dr. Sunil Pullukat. “We look forward to continuing to make South Asian American community’s voice a priority by formulating data-driven solutions to inform policy and supporting our communities through research, outreach, and pro- gramming,” the organization said. The South Asian American Policy & Research Institute (SAAPRI) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization, “with the mission to serve South Asian Americans in the Chicago area by using research to formulate equitable and socially responsible policy recommendations,” its website says. Chicago-Based Think Tank Saapri Holds Successful Fundraiser By A StaffWriter Photos:courtesySAAPRI Founders and supporters of SAAPRI pose for a photo: From left, Democratic Nominee for 16th District State House Kevin Olickal, President of SNtial Technologies, Inc. Sandeep Nain, SAAPRI Board Member Susan Patel, Executive Director of SAAPRI Shobhana J Verma, Curriculum Writer Dr. Julie Thomas Achettu, President of Kalapriya Center for Indian Performing Arts Dr. Mridu Sekhar, SAAPRI Board President Dr. Ann Kalayil, Ms. Shabnam Sanghvi, State Senator Ram Villivalam. SAAPRI members, from left, SAAPRI Health Equity Project Intern Emmanuel Ravichandar, SAAPRI Research & Policy Intern Maya Bhowmik, Executive Director of SAAPRI Shobhana J. Verma, SAAPRI Board Member Susan Patel, SAAPRI Board President Dr. Ann Kalayil, SAAPRI Board Member Anita Banerji, SAAPRI Research and Civic Engagement Intern Karan Gowda Indo-American Arts Council’s Literary Festival Kicks Off In Hybrid Online And In-Person Format S tarting Nov. 7, 2022, the Indo-American Arts Council featuring political and literary heavy- weights began for the 8th year. This year’s Festival offers interaction with lead- ing minds and works of authors and poets writing about the Indian experience, a press release from IAAC said. Running virtual sessions from Nov 7-11 and in person from Nov12-13 in NewYork, notable speakers, mak- ing appearances at the Caelum Gallery(526W 26th St. include Padma Shri recipient Barkha Dutt, Priya Kumari and Raza Mir. The program also includes a live Poetry Panel fea- turing Arundhathi Subramaniam, moderated by Ravi Shankar. A series of online events hosted on Facebook and YouTube simultaneously take place each evening start- ing November 7-11 at 6:30 p.m. ET, feature ten writers including Nobel Peace Prize winner Kailash Satyarthi; London-based restaurateur and Netflix’s “Chef’s Table” star, Asma Khan with Michelin Chef Vikas Khanna – au- thor of the world’s first “phygital” (physical and digital) cookbook; plus, actress, dancer and choreographer, Rukmini Vijayakumar. The evening series also includes a dedicated Chil- dren’s Literary Panel on Tuesday, November 8, 2022 which will showcase readings of “When Blackbirds Fly” by Hannah Lalhlanpuii and “JamloWalks” by Samina Mishra. All in-person sessions are free and include breakfast, lunch and wine. By a StaffWriter