FIA hosts an electrifying 8th Annual Indian Heritage Night with Windy City Bulls
By: Dr. Avi Verma
The Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) proudly hosted its 8th consecutive Indian Heritage Night in collaboration with the Windy City Bulls at NOW Arena, Hoffman Estates, on February 27, 2025. The evening was even more thrilling as the Chicago Bulls secured a close 102-100 victory over the Birmingham Squadron.
Organized with dedication, the event was led by FIA Chairman Sunil Shah and President Anu Malhotra, following the success of FIA’s Indian Republic Day celebration. Carefully selected dance academies captivated the audience with mesmerizing performances, including:
- BollyBhangraUSA Dance School (Choreographer: Prerna Arya)
- Shirlzar Dance Company (Choreographers: Elizar & Shirley Rodrigues)
- Chicago Dance Varsity (Choreographer: Puja Joshi)
- Atharv Gurukul (Choreographer: Aparna Deshmukh)
The event was graced by past FIA Presidents Vinita Gulabani, Pratibha Jairath, and Hitesh Gandhi, along with Dr. Dilip Shah, President of the Indian American Medical Association, and FIA Advisory Board Member Vinoz Chanamolu. A packed stadium witnessed the fusion of culture and sports, with Windy City Bulls and Birmingham Squadron players joining in the celebration.
The night began with a heartfelt rendition of the national anthems of India and the United States, performed by children, filling the arena with patriotism. FIA and its team received a Certificate of Appreciation for successfully celebrating eight years of Indian Heritage Night, presented by Windy City Bulls Account Executive Andrew Stasinopoulos.
Chairman Sunil Shah expressed gratitude to Windy City Bulls President Brad Seymour for their collaboration, emphasizing the pride FIA takes in showcasing Indian culture. President Anu Malhotra extended appreciation to all performers and their families, acknowledging their support. She also delivered a speech at a post-event dinner hosted by FIA Director Yagnesh Patel, owner of India Foodie Lounge, thanking the FIA team for their contributions.
Special recognition was given to Secretary General Nilabh Dubey for event photography, VK Gupta for seamless ticket distribution, Executive VP Richa Chand for cultural coordination, and Joint Secretaries Kamlesh Kapoor and Falguni Sukhadia for documentation. The evening concluded with a delightful dinner and light music.
About FIA:
Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) Chicago, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, connects over 300,000 Indian Americans in the Chicago area through cultural events, community advocacy, and charitable initiatives, including scholarships for students in need. For over 15 years, FIA has played a vital role in strengthening the Asian-Indian American community in the Midwest.
