Bay Area’s Annual ‘Unity Dinner’ Sees Huge Civic Turnout

India-West Staff Reporter

MILPITAS, CA — On April 18, more than 360 guests representing the vibrant tapestry of California’s communities gathered at the India Community Center here for the Indo-American Community Federation’s (IACF) 24th Annual Unity Dinner.

This year’s theme, ‘Unity in Diversity: Emerging Technology and Its Role in Uniting Community,’ centered on artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, showcasing how innovation can foster inclusion and unity across diverse backgrounds.

Jeevan Zutshi, who founded IACF in 1993 to create a platform for Indian American civic participation, in his welcoming remarks, emphasized t “Technology is not just about gadgets—it’s about people. And when used with empathy, it can bring us closer than ever before.”

He added, “Let’s use this moment to commit—not only to innovation—but to inclusion, to listening, and to lifting each other up.”

The evening began with a panel discussion moderated by Tas Jalali, CISO of AC Transit. The panel featured distinguished voices such as Dr. Liang Chao, Mayor of Cupertino; Lily Mei, Mayor Emeritus of Fremont; Karthik Krishnan, CEO of Concentric AI; and Huseni Saboowala, CEO of Daxa, Inc.

Together, they unpacked the practical implications of AI in public services, from real-time emergency response to streamlining city operations, and emphasized the critical need for data privacy, equity, and ethical governance.

“The opportunity is real, but so is the responsibility,” one panelist noted, urging attendees to harness AI as a tool for connection, not division.

Guests

The list of guests read like a “who’s who” of California leadership, including California Attorney General Rob Bonta as the keynote speaker and Major General (Ret.) Garrett Yee as honored guest. They were joined by a lineup of dignitaries, including Congressman Sam Liccardo and the Deputy Consul General of India, California State Treasurer Emeritus Betty Yee added to the evening’s prestige, alongside key regional leaders such as Santa Clara and Alameda County Supervisors Otto Lee, Betty Duong, Dave Haubert, and Elisa Marquez.

The legal community was represented by District Attorneys Ursula Jones-Dixon and Nancy O’Malley. In addition, mayors from several cities—Fremont, Cupertino, Milpitas, Hayward, Dublin, Santa Clara, Campbell, and others—were present, underscoring the event’s broad civic engagement.

Culture

Attendees were treated to cultural performances from Chinese and Indian artists, underscoring the Unity Dinner’s hallmark celebration of diversity. The evening concluded on a festive note with a Bollywood musical performance by Irfan Ali, who kept the dance floor lively until midnight.

Guests enjoyed a sumptuous Indian dinner and host bar while mingling with elected officials and community leaders, fostering conversations that extended beyond politics and policy into shared aspirations for the future.