The Indian-American Committee (IAC), in partnership with more than 40 Indian-American organizations from across the United States, hosted a celebration commemorating America’s 250th Anniversary July 25, 2026, at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C.
The event brought together Members of Congress, diplomats, senior government officials, business leaders, physicians, veterans, academicians, and community leaders to celebrate values of freedom, democracy, opportunity, and the contributions of the Indian-American community. Some 500 people attended the event, a press release from IAC said.
The participation of more than 40 Indian-American organizations under a single platform reflected the growing unity, influence, and civic engagement of the community, organizers said in a press release. In a statement, IAC said, “America has given our community extraordinary opportunities to grow, contribute, and succeed. As we celebrate 250 years of American independence, we also celebrate the responsibility of Indian Americans to give back, serve, and stand together. This celebration is not the culmination of our efforts—it is the beginning of a national movement to unite Indian-American organizations under one umbrella, creating one stronger voice for our community and for the nation we proudly call home.”
The United States National Anthem was sung by Medha Shanbhag to jumpstart the event. Among the high-profile guests who addressed the gathering were Illinois Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (Congressional Co-Chair of the celebration), and Michigan Congressman Shri Thanedar.
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Senior Government officials present included Former Acting Administrator of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and former Deputy Counsel and Deputy Assistant to President Donald Trump Uttam Dhillon; Deputy Commissioner, Social Security Administration Arjun Mody; Senior technology executive who has served in leadership positions supporting the White House and the U.S. Congress Ashok Pinto; Former NASA Administrator Dr. Michael D. Griffin; Aerospace leader Dr. Vivek Lall; Padma Bhushan recipient and renowned oncologist Dr. Dattatreyudu Nori, recipient of the American Cancer Society’s prestigious Tribute to Life Award; President, American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) Dr. Meher Medavaram,
Representatives from business and academia included Rahul Patel, chairman, Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA; and Prof. Rajendra Srivastava, recognized academic and business leader. Veterans who attended included Chris Aryan, founder and president, Indian American Veterans Association; and Arun Ayyagari, U.S. Air Force Auxiliary Pilot.
A special highlight of the evening was the participation of more than fifteen serving and former Ambassadors and senior diplomats, coordinated by Ambassador Pradeep Kapur.
Co-Founder and Co-Chair of IAC, Ramesh Viswanath Kapur, addressed the challenges facing the Indian-American community and emphasized the need to build a stronger and more positive public image. He announced plans to engage a professional public relations firm to promote the contributions of Indian Americans through mainstream and digital media, helping create a more accurate and positive narrative for the community.
Dr. Suvas Desai, Co-Founder of the Indian-American Committee, highlighted the need for bringing Indian-American organizations together under one umbrella to advocate for the interests of the community and strengthening its engagement with policymakers on Capitol Hill.
Narsimha Koppula and Deepak Raj, Co-Chairs of the event, reaffirmed the IAC’s commitment to fostering greater collaboration among Indian-American organizations nationwide.
Rajender Dichpally, Secretary of IAC, said the celebration was a tribute not just to America’s 250-year journey but also an opportunity to recognize the vital role Indian Americans continue to play in shaping the nation’s future.
The celebration featured cultural performances by Grammy Award-winning Falu Shah and her ensemble, the internationally acclaimed acapella group Penn Masala, and a Bhangra dance troupe. Emcees Priya Samant and Anju Preet Poddar conducted the program. Alok Srivastava coordinated the participation of local organizations in Greater Washington. Manish Sood of Intense Entertainment served as the Event Manager.
Special messages were received from Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Founder of the Art of Living Foundation, and Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev. A special congratulatory message from U.S. Senator Steve Daines recognized the outstanding contributions of Indian-Americans and commended organizers for bringing together organizations from across the country.