NAPERVILLE, Ill. — The Club of Indian Women (CIW) recently hosted more than 200 women at Halla Gulla 2025, held at Matrix Naperville. The event brought together community members for an evening of fun, food, and festivities.
The evening featured a variety of activities, performances, and cuisine provided by Madan @Matrix. Madhu Uppal, emcee of the event, welcomed attendees, followed by CIW President Vinita Gulabani, who delivered an encouraging message to the audience.
The venue was transformed into a vibrant and elegant space thanks to the artistic team led by Prem Sharma, Suman Mihlajee, and Manju Vashisht. Purple and pink floral arrangements created by Deepti Suri added a warm and inviting touch to the décor.
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Registration and welcome were managed by Preeti Chawla, Alka Sood, Pankaj Tanna, and Usha Gupta, ensuring a smooth arrival for all guests. The raffle committee, led by Urmil Chawla, Neerja Aggarwal, and Pankaj Tanna, kept attendees engaged with exciting prizes and lucky draws.
Entertainment, organized by Vandana Bunkapur and Tara Swaminathan, included games, acts, and dance performances by Falguni Rana. A Bollywood-themed game was a standout moment, engaging the audience throughout the evening.
Urmile Chawla giving Raffle prize to the winner.
Special guests Vandana Jhingan, community leader, and Aurora Alderman Shweta Baid attended the event, offering words of encouragement. CIW General Secretary Alka Sood honored them with signature scarves. Singer Paulami Mazumdar captivated the audience with energetic performances, getting everyone on their feet.
Neil Khot also visited the event, sharing his best wishes for CIW, while the organization extended support for his congressional campaign.
Paulmi Mazumudar performing Bollywood songs.
Halla Gulla 2025 reflected the power of community, with CIW members and guests coming together to create a memorable evening. The event’s success was credited to the CIW team, including behind-the-scenes organizers guided by Pimi Malhotra and Sangeeta Ginde. The night concluded with dinner and desserts, leaving attendees satisfied and uplifted.
CIW’s Halla Gulla 2025 highlighted the organization’s commitment to its motto: “Empowering Women, Enriching Lives, Embracing Community.”
President of CIW Vinita Gulabani thanks everyone for supporting CIW.
About the Club of Indian Women
CIW is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting Indian culture and community. Its mission is to empower and support women through a variety of events and activities throughout the year.
Photo and information by Jayanti Oza, News Media Journalist, Chicago