ICA’s Annual Event
Be an Agent of Change
ICA celebrated its 51st year with its annual event at Villa Ragusa in Campbell with a successful conference and banquet. More than 200 people participated in the event.
Reshma Nigam, President of ICA welcomed the gathering and explained the theme of the event --“How to Be An Agent of Change.’ She encouraged the audience to participate in the conference and listen to the inspirational speakers and decide to “be the change you want to see in the world” either by starting or reenergizing your efforts. The engaging conference and inspiring speeches from the visiting luminaries made the evening memorable.
Women’s Leadership Chair, Lata Patil, crafted the conference model to be participatory in the form of roundtable discussions. “Join the Conversation” was the objective of the conference and the goal was to engage the audience, increase their philanthropic aspirations, invite the audience to play an active part in shaping ICA’s future objectives, and offer a channel to promote social development in India. The facilitators in each session encouraged the sharing of ideas by all participants in a friendly and productive manner. The topic of the discussion in each session was Education, Women’s Empowerment, Environment, and Health.
In the 2nd half of the event, ICA honored the two leaders from India, Vinayak Lohani and Satyajit Bhatkal. Satyajit Bhatkal of Satyamev Jayate fame spoke passionately about his fight against drought in rural Maharashtra. He said water scarcity is a man-made condition, and only people’s efforts can solve the crisis. He emphasized the power of communication to mobilize, motivate and train people in this mission to eradicate drought.
Vinayak Lohani, inspired by the humanistic ideals of Swami Vivekananda started his first school with three children now has over 2000 resident children in West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh.
Satyajit Bhatkal
Vinayak Lohani
ICA for the first time in history sponsored its first local charity, Spartan Food Pantry of San Jose State University to alleviate student hunger. San Jose State University representative Marco spoke on behalf of SJSU and received the donation from ICA President, Reshma Nigam.
