This Diwali, AIF was honored to celebrate the Festival of Lights at gatherings highlighting the strength of U.S.-India relations and the vibrant role of the Indian diaspora in the U.S.

Our CEO, Nishant Pandey, represented AIF at the White House Diwali reception hosted by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, where President Biden warmly welcomed the guests saying, “It is not my house, it is your house.” The evening gathered leaders in public service, business, and entertainment, with the White House band performing moving renditions of spiritual songs and other classics.

It was a week of celebration in DC for the diaspora! AIF also joined over 300 corporate, government, and nonprofit partners at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum’s Diwali celebration at The Kennedy Center’s The REACH.

The festivities concluded at the U.S. Secretary of State’s Diwali reception, where Ambassador Richard Verma and Secretary Antony Blinken reflected on Diwali’s message—the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil.

These gatherings celebrated not only the festival, but also the shared values and enduring bonds that unite our nations. Happy Diwali from all of us at AIF!

Did you know that one in five migrants in India is a child?* These children often experience disrupted education when their families are forced to migrate in search of work–a phenomenon known as  seasonal distress migration. AIF’s Learning and Migration Program (LAMP) aims to bridge their learning gap through after-school programs, digital tools, and one-on-one guidance. To date, LAMP has assisted over 1.59 million children, and there are millions more who can benefit from uninterrupted education.

This is where you come in. Our 2024 crowdfunded Light a LAMP campaign aims to raise $100,000 to educate an additional 30,000 migrant children. It's simple to contribute and makes a meaningful impact.

Donate or start a fundraiser today to help us reach this goal!

*Census 2011

OVER $135,000 RAISED AT AIF'S GOLF TOURNAMENT–SILENT AUCTION NOW LIVE!

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for our 13th Annual Golf Tournament at Wykagyl Country Club, where we raised over $135,000 to support our mission! The day was filled with friendly competition, and great conversation–most importantly, though, it drove real impact. Special thanks to our sponsors, EXL and Jones Day, and our dedicated Golf Committee. We’re also thrilled to offer an exclusive auction opportunity from Mastercard: a once-in-a-lifetime experience at the 2025 Arnold Palmer Invitational, including access to the 17th Green Trophy Suite, an 18-hole golf round, or a luxury spa experience. Don’t miss your chance to bid on this incredible package and support AIF’s mission!

Join us on November 9 for an elegant evening at the Field Museum in downtown Chicago to celebrate community and drive real change. Hosted by Professor Mohanbir Sawhney, the evening will spotlight AIF’s work to empower women and girls through initiatives in education, livelihoods, and public health. Enjoy cuisine from Indienne, Chicago's first Michelin-starred Indian restaurant, and live entertainment from Vivek Agrawal and Do the Needful, who blend Bollywood anthems with diverse genres. Don’t miss out—tickets are limited, so RSVP now to secure your seat!

Our Banyan Impact Fellowship was thrilled to welcome the 2024-25 cohort this past month. During a packed orientation week, Fellows connected with the program's key supporters– the Krishnan Shah Family Foundation and the Rural India Supporting Trust–heard wise words from the alumni panel, and enjoyed a presentation by Alexandria Huerta of USAID India, who spoke on the importance of global collaboration. 

Meet the New Fellows!

On October 15, the International Day of Rural Women, AIF launched Project WE-LIVES (Women Empowerment through Livelihood Improvement and Value Chain Enhancement) in Sehore, Madhya Pradesh. This initiative aims to empower 800 women in Sehore and Ashok Nagar by providing tailored support, such as market-aligned skills and value chain linkages for their products, so they can produce high-quality goods efficiently and become leaders in their respective industries. 

Earlier this month, AIF hosted a two-day Digital Equalizer (DE) workshop to train 60 teachers in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh. They learned effective methodologies to integrate technology, promote STEM education, and cultivate critical thinking and collaboration in the classroom. The workshop introduced dynamic approaches, including the DE Way of Teaching (DEWoT), to accommodate diverse learning styles and provided advanced STEM tools to transform classrooms into hubs of critical thinking.

We're thrilled to announce the launch of the AIF SoCal Chapter! AIF team members and Southern California supporters, under the leadership of Rohan Shah, Iva Shah, and Tania Mirchandani, recently gathered for an intimate and inspiring evening. Over a delicious dinner at Carmel, longtime AIF friends reunited and welcomed new friends into the fold. It was a privilege to share updates on AIF's recent milestones and growing impact, and hear from supporters about their passion for AIF’s mission.

We are excited to embark on this journey with our passionate community in Southern California! If you are interested in learning more, please email our West Coast colleagues–Mona Panchal and Luz Pacheco–at mona.panchal@aif.org & luz.pacheco@aif.org.

NY Young Professionals Host a Joyous Light a Lamp Celebration!

Last week, the New York Young Professionals’ (NYYP) Light a Lamp Celebration brought together a large group of energetic, vibrant, and committed young citizens to celebrate a night of community, connection, and impact. Guests enjoyed delicious treats from Hyderabadi Zaiqa, danced to music by DJ HR Beats, and received beautiful mehndi from New York-based henna artist Anjani. All proceeds supported AIF's annual crowdfunded Light a LAMP campaign.

Learn more about NYYP and watch the evening's highlights!

Chicago Young Professionals' Fall Trunk Show Benefits AIF’s Livelihoods Program for Women!

Fashion met philanthropy and elegance met impact this past month at the Chicago Young Professionals Fall Trunk Show. The event featured the Starlight Collection by award-winning designer Priya Chhabria, known for blending traditional Indian attire with contemporary aesthetics. 10% of the proceeds benefited AIF’s Market Aligned Skills Training (MAST) Program in Rewari, Haryana, which empowers rural women as micro-entrepreneurs in garment production. 

Learn more about Chicago YP and watch the evening's highlights!

Bay Area Young Professionals' 14th Annual Charity Gala Supports Maternal and Newborn Health

The Bay Area Young Professionals' (BAYP) 14th Annual Charity Gala brought together globally minded changemakers in the community to support AIF's Maternal and Newborn Survival Initiative (MANSI), which aims to reduce childhood and maternal deaths and provide access to quality healthcare for adolescent girls, newborns, and young mothers. The magical evening, complete with innovative cocktails, delicious food, and lively music from Sidd Kel, was a night to remember! 

Learn more about BAYP and watch the evening's highlights!

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