Twenty eight years ago, we started ICA to cater to the cultural nee ds of our community. We are now enjoying benefits to our families and the Indian community in the Tri-State area. ICA is a unique organization known for its vision, dedication of its committee members and volunteers, and unquestionable integrity. Every dollar is meticulously accounted for and audited. No one receives special monetary benefits for doing volunteer work for ICA. Let us applaud all these dedicated members.

During the past 28 years, ICA has provided an opportunity to about 4,800 (average 170 per year) children to learn Indian cultural dances to find their roots. As one of the founding members of the ICA, I have witnessed intimate network of lifelong friendship built by children because of their active participation in all the ICA activities. I fully understand that our young adult members face heavy job pressure and a relentless demand on their time due to various other activies. In addition to these issues faced by our young adults, as first generation immigrants we also faced economic hardship. But we never forgot the benefits of providing strong Indian roots to our children. Our grown up and successful children are the living proof of our vision and our sacrifices. I request you to discuss with young adults the long term benefits of actively joining ICA activities and encourage them to become new members.

Our Indian community knows the value of higher education. It therefore gives me great pride to announce that over past seventeen years, ICA has awarded $295,000 in merit and need-based scholarships to high school graduates and college students. Every year about 60 Indian students receive merit awards of $200 each and about seven Indian students receive need-based awards of $3,000 each. We also award 15 open scholarships to any top student in 10 area high schools. I encourage prior years' scholorship recipients to also donate after they start their carrier.