Mission
The Indo-American Society (IAS)
Indo-American Society will function and be recognized as the leading institution enhancing co-operation and understanding between the people of India and the people of the United States of America through innovative and useful activities in the social, cultural, educational, economic and management development fields.
The Indo-American Society (IAS) is a forum for intellectual and cultural exchange and for the promotion of friendship between the peoples of India and America. It provides opportunities for interactions that help Indians and Americans assimilate each other’s strengths and build on them. It is recognized as a leading institution for enhancing cooperation and understanding between the peoples of the two countries through innovative and useful activities in the social, educational, cultural, economic, scientific, and management development fields.
1959: The realization of vision
Born on April 24, 1959, IAS was formally inaugurated by Mr. Ellsworth Bunker, the then U.S. Ambassador to India. Early Presidents of IAS included stalwarts like the late Sir H. P. Modi and Mr. G. L. Mehta, one of the Indian Ambassadors to the U. S. Presidents in recent years have included imminent personalities such as, Nani Palkhivala, Viren Shah, Keshub Mahindra, and Adi Godrej.
Academic Programmes
Since 1963, IAS has been a pioneer in organising short-term courses and seminars in the areas of self development. The topics have included Excellence In Public Speaking and Communication Skills, Personality development, Basic English Usage Conversation, Advanced English Conversation, Fast Reading and Memory Efficiency, Exports And Imports, Photography, Tarot Card Reading, Numerology & Palmistry, etc. Over the years these programmes have been so efficacious, that IAS has emerged as a pioneer identified with creating skill management programmes.
In addition, IAS has always strived to convey the American business spirit to countless Indian managers and entrepreneurs through courses in marketing and selling, managerial excellence, quality control, etc. These programmes have featured eminent Indian and, when available, American faculty.
Indeed, the IAS prides itself over the fact that it has contributed enormously to the development of human resources in India through these activities. IAS also conducts visa seminars for students and professionals and seminars on adapting to life in the U.S. and adapting to U.S. campus life. Further, it conducts, under an arrangement with FACT, preparatory courses for SAT I/II, GRE, GMAT and TOEFL exams.
IAS has the following fora under which it conducts its wide range of activities periodically:
- Annual Awards to an Indian and an American who have contributed most during the year to promoting Indo-U.S. understanding. Recipients have included: Dr. L. Subramaniam, Pandit Zakir Hussain, Mr. A. M. Rosenthal, Mr. Stephen Solarz, Mr. Selig Harrison, Ms. Mira Nair, Mr. John (Jack) F. Welch, Jr., Mother Teresa, Pandit Ravi Shankar, etc.
- Cultural Committee which presents Indian cultural events primarily for the benefit of Americans resident in Mumbai and American cultural events for Indian audiences. Events have encompassed recitals by Pandit Ravi Shankar and daughter Anoushka Shankar, the Duke Ellington Orchestra, the Ansel Adams Photo Exhibit, and the like.
- John F. Kennedy Memorial Lecture, which focuses on Indo-U.S. Relations. Lecturers have been Dr. S. Chandrashekhar, Mr. Nani Palkhivala, Mr. N. Vaghul, Mr. Malcolm S. Forbes, Jr., Mr. Romesh Bhandari, etc.
- Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Lecture, which centers on Indo-U.S. Relations. Lecturers have included Dr. Karan Singh, Dr. P. C. Alexander, Dr. M. B. Athreya, Dr. Marshall Bouton, etc.
- IAS Management Development Forum,which hosts lectures by leading Indian and American experts on management topics of contemporary value. These lectures are aimed at CEOs and top management. Prof. C. K. Prahalad, Mr. S. M. Datta, Mr. George Daly, H.E. Frank Wisner, Mr. S. D. Kulkarni, Mr. N. R. Narayana Murthy, and Dr. Russell Winer have been some of the lecturers.
- Medical Awareness Lectures under which programmes are arranged monthly on popular subjects to bring about awareness of current trends in different medical fields.
- Membership Program for companies and individuals to enable them participate in the multifarious activities of the IAS.
- Programme Committee under which lectures are organized. Major speakers have included Mr. Henry Kissinger, Astronauts Edgar Mitchell and Ronald McNair, several U.S. ambassadors, etc. Publication of a quarterly newsletter entitled ‘Landmark’ to focus on current events in the Indo-U.S. scene and to highlight the activities of IAS. Next is publication of “Gateway to America” which provides information about Visas and other useful guidance for travelers to the U.S.
- Travel Grants and Scholarships for students proceeding to the U.S. for higher studies.
- Young Ambassador: The Young Ambassadors Award is presented annually and was started in 2007. In the spirit of Indo-American friendship the Indo-American Society organizes the Young Ambassador Awards to reach out to the youth and college students. The winner of this contest is given a sponsored Air Ticket to the US, so as to enable them to visit the University of their choice as 'IAS Young Ambassador'
- Youth Wing, which conduct programs to promote greater understanding among the youth of India and America with a view to share each other’s social and cultural values.
