INDIANAPOLIS (USA): The Indiana India Business Council honored Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard by presenting him this year with the prestigious “Indiana Ratna” (Jewel of Indiana) award at the 5th annual “Indiana India Gala” on August 9 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom here in Downtown Indianapolis.
Speaking on the occasion Founder and President of the Indiana India Business Council Raju Chinthala said “Indiana Ratna” is given to individuals who have made significantly towards strengthening cultural, educational, political, social and economic ties and have helped make a profound impact in both Indiana and India."
“Mayor Jim Brainard has had an extraordinary tenure, redefining and reimagining the city of Carmel, Indiana, ” said Chinthala. “He has contributed significantly towards cementing cultural, educational, political, social and economic ties and has helped make a profound impact in both Indiana and India during his seven terms as Carmel’s Mayor.”
Brainard visited India in 2015 and shared Carmel’s success story with mayors from cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Thiruvananthapuram, Kolkata and Guwahati. Mayor Brainard is also establishing a sister city in India in 2023.
Mayor Brainard said “I am honored to receive this prestigious award from an organization that works hard to bring together the business and cultural relationships between India, Carmel and the state of Indiana."
Christel House International Founder Christel DeHaan was the first "Indiana Ratna" award recipient in 2018 and Former Mayor of Indianapolis Gregory A. Ballard was the second "Indiana Ratna" award recipient in 2019. In 2021, Governor Eric Holcomb and Infosys were honored with the “Indiana Ratna” Award, and Jim Schellinger and Sudhakar Gande were recognized in 2022.
Civic leader KP Singh described the function "a multicultural and multi-generational gathering of over 300 strong galaxy of friends, supporters, and sponsors attended the event. Many of the guests proudly wore elegant and festive Indian attire for the happy occasion where "India and Hoosier Indian-Americans were honoring Indiana and a dear Hoosier leader and respected friend."
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett, Secretary of State Diego Morales, Indian Consul General, Chicago, Somnath Gosh, Chairman and CEO of Sun Companies Bharat Patel, President of Purdue University Dr Mung Chiang, Lt Governor Suzanne Crouch, Ghoman Group of Companies chairman Amarbir Singh and CEO Harsharan Singh, Former Mayor Greg A Ballard, , AAAI President Rupal Thanawada, Javed Khan, Ramu Chinthala, Danish-American Punjabi singer Anita Lerche, CEO of STLOGICS Sandeep Allam, Attorney General Todd Rokita, Ajay Ponugoti, International Center president and CEO Martin Baier and Republic Airways CIO Nirav Shah and Old National Bank Chief Impact Officer Rafel Sanchez were among prominent personalities who attended the funtion.
Vani Sharma and Dyna Kristine-Martinez were Masters of Ceremonies (emcees).