At 41, Ankur Vaidya Becomes Federation of Indian Associations’ Youngest Chairman
- Following a change of guard after two decades, the new leader promises to build on his predecessor’s legacy.
The Federation of Indian Associations of NY, NJ, CT (FIA Tristate) has appointed Ankur Vaidya as its new chairman.
Vaidya, 41, previously led the group as its president in 2014 and 2015, and was unanimously elected earlier this month, to replace Ramesh Patel, who died on June 6, due to complications from Covid-19. Patel served as the organization’s chairman for over two decades.
Vaidya’s appointment signals a generational shift in the group, one of the largest umbrella organizations in the Indian American community. He is one of the youngest members of the board, and the youngest to be chosen as its chairman.
Vaidya is joined by Bipin Patel, as vice chairman and Jayesh Patel as the general secretary. The current board also includes Ramesh Gadhavi, Chandrakant Trivedi, Prabir Roy, Dr. Parvin Pandhi, Andy Bhatia, Srujal Parikh, Anand Patel, Dipak Patel and Kanu Chauhan. FIA veterans, Dr. Sudhir S. Parikh and H. R. Shah were chosen as senior advisors, while Albert Jasani was appointed as the trustee of the group, along with Yash Paul Soi as vice chairman emeritus for FIA’s golden jubilee year.
“Covid-19 has been a learning curve for all of us,” Vaidya said, adding that the organization is moving toward digital compatibility, including virtual meetings and events, as well as a revamped website and a newsletter.
In his new role, Vaidya wants to expand FIA’s presence and outreach, and work with the wider diaspora, “from Rhode Island and Massachusetts to Washington, D.C.” He noted that the Indian American community in some of these areas is “highly segregated,” but has a lot to contribute. “I want to make FIA a pan-Indian organization representing the diversity of the diaspora.”
The newly appointed chairman highlighted some of the changes the organization has implemented since March. “Covid-19 has been a learning curve for all of us,” Vaidya said, adding that the organization is moving toward digital compatibility, including virtual meetings and events, as well as a revamped website and a newsletter. He hoped that these changes will help FIA increase its footprint beyond the tristate area.
Vaidya also expressed a desire to work more closely with the Consulate General of India in New York, as well as the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C. “So far we have been a grassroots organization. Now we want to have more visibility in political education and engagement, as well as more engagements with lawmakers and influencers.”
Vaidya indicated that an independent women’s wing could be in the pipeline, “to provide women a platform to lead, connect and network.” There is also a desire to build a community center, he said, where members could congregate, socialize with their families, and also have a place to host and conduct cultural and community events.
Although this year, the organization’s golden jubilee year, will be sans a parade, due to the pandemic and the social distancing and public events mandates, Vaidya said FIA is determined for “a parade for the ages,” next year. Agreeing that it is a challenging year, Vaidya said he and his team are dedicated and energized to carry forward Patel’s vision and legacy.