Celebrating Women Leaders: International Women’s Day 2026
On March 6, 2026, the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) celebrated its 8th Annual International Women’s Day at India House in New York City. This event, which leads up to International Women’s Day on March 8, showcased the achievements of remarkable women from the Indian community.
The event was hosted by Riddhi Parikh Patel, who began with a moment of silence to honor the late Radha Subramanyam, a past award winner. Many inspiring women from various fields including business, media, and social entrepreneurship were recognized for their exceptional contributions.
FIA’s President, Sreekanth Akkapalli, who recently took office, praised the positive changes women have made in society. He extended congratulations to the awardees on behalf of FIA’s Chairman, Ankur Vaidya, and the board. The special guest for the evening was Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, India’s Consul General in New York.
During his speech, Consul General Pradhan highlighted the importance of women’s empowerment for national growth, mentioning initiatives like “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” for girls’ education and programs that support women in the workforce. He expressed appreciation for his wife’s constant support.
The honorees received Certificates of Recognition from Governor Kathy Hochul, along with FIA sashes and trophies. Dr. Balpreet Grewal-Virk, Senior Vice President at RWJ Barnabas Health, acknowledged FIA’s role in building community ties, while actress Reshma Shetty reflected on motherhood and cultural heritage.
Other speakers included Tania Kinsella, First Deputy Commissioner of NYPD, who dedicated her honor to her mother and grandmothers, symbolizing resilience across generations. Monalisa Shuvadarshini, spouse of the CGI-NY, also shared her gratitude for the recognition.
Dr. Sudhir Parikh, President of the Global Association of People of Indian Origin (GAPIO), attended the event and congratulated the honorees on social media, commending FIA for organizing such a meaningful celebration.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks from Srishti Kaul Narula, the General Secretary of FIA, followed by a delightful dinner, bringing together a community dedicated to empowering women and celebrating their achievements.
