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www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 18 NATIONAL AFFAIRS October 3, 2025 South Asian Leaders Meet In DC For Impact Summit, Gala And Hill Day, Award Achievers T he South Asian Impact Foundation hosted its annual Summit & Gala and its inaugural South Asian Hill Day on National Citizen- ship and Constitution Day, September 16 and 17, 2025, inWashington, D.C. The two- day meetings brought 500 South Asian American leaders from refugee organizers to healthcare ex- perts, CEOs, artists, students, and elected officials, a press release from the organization said. Highlights of the events included: South Asian Hill Day, where more than 150 par- ticipants held more than 50 direct meetings with Members of Congress and staff to promote urgent priorities around immigrant rights and community safety amidst rising hate and discrimination. The Summit, which saw two days of plenaries, grassroots trainings, and wellness sessions an- chored by the theme Desis Persist: Our Stories, Our Strength, spotlighting the resilience and leadership of South Asian Americans across generations. The Gala, which was emceed by comedian Abby Go- vindan, celebrated excellence in South Asian leadership and honored this year’s awardees. Among the high-profile invitees and members who ad- dressed the gathering were several Members of Congress: U.S. Senators Andy Kim, Cory Booker, MarkWarner, Alex Padilla; U.S. Representatives Ami Bera, Raja Krish- namoorthi, Shri Thanedar, and Suhas Subramanyam; From the refugee and immigrant community, leaders such as Dr. Badar Khan Suri and Robin Gurung of Asian Refugees United; Leading healthcare experts, such as Maryland Secretary of Health Dr. Meena Seshamani and Dr. Vin Gupta; Advocates and activists like Mini Timma- raju, President of Reproductive Freedom for All. On Hill Day, the partner organizations present in- cluded AAPI Equity Alliance, AAPI Victory Power Fund, Asian Refugees United, Chalo Vote, Desi Rainbow, the National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association (NAAPIMHA), the North American Associa- tion of Indian Students, the Roundglass India Center at Seattle University, SAATH, Sadhana: Coalition of Progres- sive Hindus, SAIVA, Sakhi for South Asian Survivors, the South Asian American Justice Collaborative (SAAJCO), the South Asian American Policy & Research Institute (SAA- PRI), South Asian Americans for Change, the South Asian Bar Association of DC, South Asian SOAR, South Asians for America, Stop AAPI Hate, the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA), the Raj Mehta Day of Good, the Sikh Coalition, and They See Blue. Those recognized with various awards at the Gala were: • The Dr. Shyamala Gopalan Harris Award- pre- sented by Indrani Goradia – honored Kavita Mehra, Executive Director of Sakhi, for courage, determina- tion, and commitment to allyship and the cause of civil rights. • The Dalip Singh Saund Award- presented by Montgomery County Commissioner Neil Makhija – recognized Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi for outstand- ing public service and dedication to civic engage- ment. • The Champion of Civic Engagement Award – presented by Rep. Ami Bera and NC Senator Jay Chaudhuri – recognized Raghu Devaguptapu for his decades of service promoting civic engagement within the South Asian American community and advancing representation in public service. According to the South Asian Impact Founda- tion, South Asian Americans are the second-largest immigrant community in the U.S. and one of the fastest- growing electorates. “In this moment, we showed the power of the South Asian diaspora: standing together inWashington, D.C., guided by our values and determined to act. We were not silent. We built community, forged new connections, and reminded ourselves of our collective strength,” Chintan Patel, executive director of South Asian Impact Founda- tion, is quoted saying in the press release. “Attendees left feeling inspired, united, and ready to carry this energy back to their communities across the country,” Patel added. By a StaffWriter AAPI Kicks Off Preparations For The 44th Annual Convention To Be Held In 2026 In Florida T he American Association of Physi- cians of Indian Origin (AAPI) an- nounced the details regarding the venue for its 44th Annual Conven- tion and Scientific Assembly, scheduled for the July 4th weekend in 2026 in Tampa, Florida. The announcement was made during a ‘mini’ kick-off event and formal contract signing ceremony held recently to officially launch preparations for the flagship event. “We are delighted to share this exciting milestone as we prepare for the AAPI An- nual Convention and Scientific Assembly in Tampa,” announced President of AAPI Dr. Amit Chakrabarty. “This week’s con- tract signing and kick-off meeting bring together physicians, leaders, and com- munity partners, setting the stage for an exceptional and historic event.” The ceremony was attended by a distinguished group, including the Mayor of Tampa Jane Castor, officials fromVisit Tampa Bay, senior executives fromMar- riott International, and representatives from the Florida Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (FAPI). The signing for- mally committed the AAPI leadership and convention partners to hosting an event expected to attract more than 2,000 AAPI members and international delegates, a press release from AAPI said. Dr. Chakrabarty, joined by Convention Chair Dr. Sagar Galwankar and Convener Dr. Raghu Juvvadi, welcomed guests and expressed pride in the organization’s col- laborative spirit. “The involvement of our community, partners, and leadership un- derscores the unity and commitment that will make this convention truly special,” said Dr. Chakrabarty. “Together, we are preparing not just an assembly, but a cel- ebration of unity, knowledge, and cultural pride—right in the heart of Tampa.” Dr. Galwankar, who will be leading the planning efforts, emphasized the dedica- tion and hard work of the convention committee members, many of whom hail from the Tri-State region. “We’ve been working tirelessly to design an attractive program for our annual gathering, featur- ing educational activities and opportuni- ties for family enjoyment,” said Dr. Gal- wankar. “We anticipate a record turnout and encourage early registration to secure your place and avoid disappointment.” The AAPI Convention provides a unique forum for attendees to engage directly with leading physicians who play pivotal roles in healthcare innovation and decision-making. Dr. Raghu Juvvadi, Convention Convenor said. As a prominent ethnic medical or- ganization representing nearly 100,000 physicians and fellows of Indian origin, AAPI aims to serve as the collective voice of its members, providing a platform to address their diverse needs and advocate for the wellbeing of their communities both in the US and India. “The annual convention is a vital space for networking, sharing knowledge, exchanging ideas, and renewing dedication to improving health and wellbeing for people everywhere,” the press release said. AAPI will be issuing updates as the planning proceeds, organizers said. For more information about registration, sponsorship opportunities, and program details, please visit: www.aapiconvention. org and www.aapiusa.org . By a StaffWriter PHOTO:AAPI Leadership of AAPI with the Mayor of Tampa Jane Castor at the kick-off event for the 44th Annual Convention to be held in 2026. PHOTO:TriVision Studios U.S. Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi, Shri Thanedar, and Suhas Subramanyam speak during a panel moderated by Simi Shah at the Impact Summit: Desis Persist hosted by the South Asian Impact Foundation on September 17, 2025 at the Washington Marriott Georgetown in Washington, D.C.