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 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 Public speaking, Personality development, English usage, Fast Reading and Memory Efficiency, Voice Culture, Diamond Assortment and Marketing, Jewelry Designing, Exports And Imports, Photography, etc. Over the years these programmes have been so efficacious, that IAS has emerged as a pioneer identified with crating 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.  |