Indo-American Chamber of Commerce In Houston Marks 25th Anniv.
India-West Staff Reporter
HOUSTON, TX – The Indo-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston (IACCGH) on September 28, celebrated its 25th anniversary with a gala held at the Hilton Americas. The event brought together over 700 business leaders, elected officials, and prominent community members to reflect on the Chamber’s impact on business growth, trade with India, and local job creation over the past quarter-century.
The evening began with a VIP reception where elected officials, including Congressman Al Green and Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, mingled with key community figures, setting the stage for a night of celebration and reflection.
Keynote speeches by Houston Mayor John Whitmire and D.C. Manjunath, Consul General of India in Houston, emphasized the deep ties between the two regions. Both highlighted the Chamber’s efforts to strengthen economic and trade relationships between Houston and India, a theme that echoed throughout the night.
Jagdip Ahluwalia, Executive Director of IACCGH, opened the program with heartfelt remarks, followed by a welcome address from Rajiv Bhavsar, President of IACCGH. Bhavsar noted that the anniversary was not just a celebration of past successes but a testament to resilience and unity. “This milestone signifies the importance of collaboration in achieving meaningful progress,” he said.
One of the highlights of the evening was a panel discussion titled “25 in 25 – A Legacy in Progress,” moderated by former Metro Houston chairman and past Chamber president, Sanjay Ramabhadran. The panel featured influential figures including Dr. Durga Agrawal, founding President of IACCGH; Paul Hamilton, former president of Shell USA; Dr. Renu Khator, chancellor of the University of Houston; and longtime Chamber supporters such as Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia and Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher.
The silver jubilee cake cutting ceremony was a memorable moment of the night, led by former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and IACCGH advisor Bob Patel.
The evening concluded with a dinner and live entertainment.
