Well over one thousand Indian Overseas Congress USA leaders and members gathered at major cities in USA and held events to celebrate the triumph of the democratic principles and norms in INDIA culminating with the successful joint effort of the Indian Congress Party and I.N.D.I.A during the past Lok Sabha elections.   President Mohinder Singh Gilzian spear-headed and coordinated the grand celebrations in different IOC USA locations in USA and conveyed the facilitations of Mr. Sam Pitroda ji to all attendees celebrating the event.

The celebrations coincided with the 54th Birthday of Sri Rahul Gandhi ji and multiple toasts were joyfully proposed to him at each location with warm wishes for his good health and success in the future.  The love and affection that Sri Rahul Gandhi ji had received from millions upon millions of people during his two BHARAT JODO YATRAS resonated with the crowds and filled the convention halls with cheers.  Birthday cakes were cut at all celebrating locations with moods rising to high gear.

In New York, Vice President of IOC USA John Joseph, had a very impressive gathering of a large number of Congress supporters in Nassau County of New York.  With the great assistance of Vice President Baldev Singh Randhawa and General Secretary Ms. Sophia Sharma, Esq. the celebrations hit a high score and tone.  They emphasized the definite need to investigate the EVM issues, now that we had a sizeable number of opposition members in parliament. Mr. Mohinder Singh Gilzian was visibly very pleased to note the manner and scale these celebrations had assumed and he congratulated everyone.  Mr. Amar S. Gulshan Ghotra, Ms. Leela Merat, Mr. Imran Pasha, Mr. Rajiv Gowda and other leaders spoke eloquently and traced the historical successes of the Indian Congress Party.  

In New Jersey, the Working President of IOC USA Northeast Zone Mr. Pradeep Samala declared open the exciting event which was attended by a gathering of over 400 guests.  Prominent IOC officials such as, Mr. Rajeshwar Reddy, Mr.Ram Gadula, Mr. Harkesh Thakur, Mr. Peter Kothari, Mr.  Gurmit Gill, Mr. Rajeev Mohan, and other leaders all addressed the audience on the importance of the recent INC.’s collaborative successes with the INDIA group.  Entertainment, music and dance performances kept the audience thrilled and fully engaged throughout the event. It was significant that the powerful support provided by IOC.USA supporters was instrumental to the new achievements and the superior gains at this year’s elections.

In Los Angeles, the large gathering of congress leaders and supporters came at the call of Working President of the IOC USA West Coast Zone, Devinder S. Bhullar (Saab Bhullar) to celebrate the event. He was supported by Teji Mann and Onkar Singh Khakh. Like every other location, the birthday celebration of Sri Raul Gandhi was conducted by the cutting of Birthday cake and the singing of the “Happy Birthday songs and greetings” to Shri Rahul Gandhi ji. Many recalled the fond and great memories Sri Rahul Gandhi ji left behind after his last visit to California last year.

In San Francisco, The Chairman of the IOC USA West Coast Zone, Dr. Harmesh Kumar and General Secretary Mr. Gurinderpal Singh organized a meeting where dozens of members and supporters converged to celebrate democracy and the strong unity of the INC party with I.N.D.I.A Alliance.  Discussions included collaborative and concerted efforts and strategic AI planning for the future.  They sent warm greetings and Birthday Wishes to Shri Rahul Gandhi ji and are looking forward for his next visit to San Francisco.

In Dallas, the Working President of IOC.USA South-East Zone Mr. Gurdev Singh Hayer celebrated the event early in a happy and festive mood. He was joined by Jaswinder Randawa, Mohinder Masihna, Manjinder Rai and Tony Puriwal. All speakers felt that the unity of the leaders, members, volunteers and voters was steadfast, and it produced significant gains even though it fell slightly short of the minimum requirement. However, it was a lesson learnt for the future and they said we will leave no stone unturned in the future.  After the cutting of the Cake, they sang joyously “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” to Sri Rahul Gandhi sent him warm wishes similar to at the ceremonies held at other locations of IOC.USA.

In Washington D.C. the Chapter President Mr. Johnson Myalil held an elegant gathering of over 70 professionals which was attended by Chief Guest retired Ambassador of India Mr. Venu Rajamony ji, and Secretary General of IOC.USA and Keynote Speaker Mr. Harbachan Singh ji and Mr. Frank Islam ji a prominent leader in the Washington D.C. area followed by several other learned leaders.  Mr. Myalil recalled the past successes of the Congress party and expressed confidence and optimism that the Indian Congress Party will raise the bar even higher this time.  A healthy discourse took place and a searching question and answer session with the audience ensued.  The new Chapter head of the Maryland Chapter also received his letter of appointment.  The IOC chapter members felt motivated and committed themselves to support and achieve even greater success in the future.

In Chicago, the event was organized under the aegis of Mr. Satheesan Nair who is the President of the IOC USA Kerela Chapter. Senior IOC USA leader Mr. Thomas Mathew opened the celebratory event and congratulated every member of the audience. Many speakers spoke on the dire need to focus on the economy, unemployment, environment, education, inflation, agriculture and the special needs of the senior citizens.  Several leaders of Kerala Chapter made very interesting analytical remarks and vouched to work even much harder now.

At the conclusion, General Secretary Ms. Sophia Sharma, Esq. received award in recognition of her excellent performance, ongoing commitment and dedicated service.