Asian Indian Women’s Organization honored with interfaith award in Springfield

Steven Spearie, State Journal-Register
·2 min read
Dr. Didar Singh, left, Sammi Mander, Dr. Subhash Chaudhary, Dr. Ashish Moonat, Rambha Chaudhary, Professor Sudeep Sharma, Chandana Nandi , Georgia Winson, and Aruna Mathur are all part of an effort by the Asian Indian Women's Organization, India Association of Greater Springfield and the Hindu Temple of Greater Springfield to assist the battle against COVID-19 in India through the "Breath for India" campaign for purchasing life-saving oxygen equipment in collaboration with Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach. [Justin L. Fowler/The State Journal-Register]

The Asian Indian Women’s Organization, which supports a number of local agencies through its "India Night" fundraiser, was presented the Humanitarian of the Year award by the Greater Springfield Interfaith Association Sunday.

It was given at GSIA's annual Interfaith Thanksgiving service which was held virtually for the second straight year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The winner is chosen for "service to those in human need in the community," according to GSIA's nomination criteria.

In presenting the award, GSIA president Dan Frachey pointed out the organization has raised over a half million dollars in supporting causes such as Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois, HSHS St. John’s Imagine Tomorrow Campaign for the renovation of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Mercy Communities, Inc. and The Outlet.

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Earlier this year, the organization teamed with the India Association of Greater Springfield and the Hindu Temple of Greater Springfield on the Breath for India campaign. The three groups worked in collaboration with Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach in raising money to provide 5-liter oxygen concentrators to COVID-19 patients whose oxygen levels are falling.

Accepting the award for the organization were Aruna Mathur, the founder and board chair, and Rambha Chaudhary, its past president.

"Since being founded 30 years ago, (the Asian Indian Women’s Organization) believes in promoting member involvement in the larger Springfield area by dedicating themselves to assisting non-profit organizations that serve the local community," Frachey said. "Their goal is to be more active in civic engagement and increase the social network among communities."

Speaking at Sunday's service on the theme of "connectedness" were Sadieka Qadeem from the Muslim community; Dr. Dharmendra Nimavat, representing the Hindu community; Shauna Summers, from the Native American community and Larry Golden, one of the founders of the Illinois Innocence Project and professor emeritus of legal and political studies at the University of Illinois Springfield.

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Last year's award was presented to Sunshine Clemons and Khoran Readus, who organized the Springfield Chapter of Black Lives Matter in 2016.

Founded more than 40 years ago, GSIA is a group of leaders in ministry who seek better dialogue while responding to community needs.

Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788, sspearie@sj-r.com, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: The Asian Indian Women’s Organization presented the interfaith award