December 2025
Community Organization Spotlight
Vision-Aid Incorporated USA
Today across 75 locations in India, Vision-Aid teams are working tirelessly to help thousands of underprivileged individuals with incurable visual impairments, children afflicted with debilitating cortical cerebral visual impairments (CVI) and the totally blind to live with greater independence and dignity.
Our dedicated team of professionals—from ophthalmology, optometry, computer science, teaching, finance, counseling and arts – along with our skills development programs, partnerships with India’s 20 leading Eye Hospitals, 50 Blind Schools and Community Organizations has earned us the “Best Non-Profit Organization of 2024” by NECA, and a 100/100 4 Star rating by the highly respected Charity Navigator organization.
Vision-Aid’s tailored education, individualized mentoring and job placement initiatives have significantly enhanced their digital literacy and employability. Vision-Aid’s innovative initiatives are delivering cutting-edge assistive technology to thousands of visually impaired individuals, unlocking new paths to education and independence.
Infosys Foundation’s innovation award winning AI Smart Vision Glasses (SVG) have revolutionized accessibility for the blind by enabling them to read in 50 local languages, recognize currency denominations, common objects and have significantly increasing their mobility.
Our initiatives aim to bring us closer to a more inclusive India for persons with visual challenges. They can now enjoy productive and safer lives, pursue higher education institutions, aspire for positions in prestigious corporations and pursue their ambitions with added self-confidence.
This year, Vision-Aid in partnership with the LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) is providing comprehensive vision screening, free spectacles, advanced eye care, and rehabilitative support (including CVI) to over 50,000 children in rural and tribal regions of Odisha. We are very grateful to our gracious supporters, team members and partners.
As we look to the future, our goal is to engage and inspire more eminent Hospitals, Corporations, Government and Community Services organizations to join us in reaching many more underserved remote areas and deliver individualized assistive tools and education to underprivileged individuals.
For more information, please visit our website Visionaid.Org.
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Lalit Sudan (Volunteer President) – Ram and Revathy (Volunteer Founders) – Veena Handa (Volunteer Vice Chair) -Puran Dang (Chairman Emeritus)
Events Recap
New England Choice Awards 2025
What an extraordinary evening at the 9th Annual New England Choice Awards Gala held at the Burlington Marriott Grand Ballroom on Saturday November 1st, 2025. Over 400 guests gathered for this sold-out black-tie celebration that beautifully blended inspiration, intellect, artistry, and community.
IAGB extends heartfelt thanks to Manju Sheth, Upendra Mishra, and the entire NECA team for inviting us to be part of this memorable night.
The highlight of the evening was listening to Indra Nooyi, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, whose words reminded us that true leadership is not only about vision but also about values, and that education must awaken curiosity, courage, and compassion.
The gala also honored leaders from MIT and across New England, recognizing excellence in business, academia, medicine, law, philanthropy, and the arts. More than an award ceremony, it was a powerful conversation about the future of humanity, innovation, and compassion.
🌟 Fabulous teamwork 🍴 Scrumptious food 🎀 Beautiful decoration
Grateful to have been part of such a remarkable evening that blended celebration with wisdom and community spirit.
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- New England Choice Awards 2025
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- New England Choice Awards 2025
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- New England Choice Awards 2025
IAGB Invited to Utsav by Asha for Education
IAGB was honored to be invited to Utsav: of Rhythm, and of Hope, a cultural event organized by Asha for Education – Boston Chapter on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at Chinmaya Mission in Andover, MA.
Utsav celebrated the artistic talents of young performers trained under the guidance of renowned teachers from the Boston area, including:
- Chitra Sridhar’s Nirvana Academy for Indian Arts
- Jasmine Shah’s Aangikam Dance Academy
- Moumita Banerjee’s Tarana School of Kathak
- Arpita Das Pathak’s GuruKool Enrichment Center
- Mouli Pal and the Upasana Ensemble
As part of the evening’s program, IAGB President Nilesh Agrawal was invited on stage to felicitate one of the featured teachers with a token of appreciation following their students’ performance. This gesture highlighted the shared commitment of both organizations to nurturing young talent and celebrating cultural excellence.
Utsav was a beautiful showcase of rhythm, grace, and hope, a testament to the power of collaboration and the spirit of giving.
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- Utsav by Asha for Education
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- Utsav by Asha for Education
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- Utsav by Asha for Education
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- Utsav by Asha for Education
Sewa Diwali Food Drive
Three Community Partners Unite for Sewa Diwali, Donate 3,000 Pounds of Food to Burlington Food Pantry on Saturday 22nd 2025
As part of the nationwide Sewa Diwali initiative, three community organizations, the India Association of Greater Boston (IAGB), HSS Satsang Shakha (Burlington), and Dwarkamai Sai Temple (Billerica) came together to donate 3,039 pounds of food to the Burlington Food Pantry, supporting local families in need during the holiday season.
The donation event was attended by State Senator Cindy Friedman, along with volunteers from IAGB, Indian Americans for Burlington (IAB), and HSS Satsang Shakha. Together, they celebrated the spirit of service and community.
This collaborative effort reflects the values of Sewa (selfless service) and the commitment of the Indian American community to uplift and support their neighbors. Volunteers worked tirelessly to collect, sort, and deliver food items, ensuring that pantry shelves were stocked for families across Burlington.
“Sewa Diwali is more than a food drive, it is a celebration of giving and gratitude,” said Nilesh Agrawal, President of IAGB. “We are proud to partner with HSS Satsang Shakha and Dwarkamai Sai Temple, and grateful to have the support of Senator Friedman and our community volunteers in making a meaningful impact.”
Organizers expressed appreciation to the Burlington Food Pantry for their continued service to the community and for welcoming this contribution. The nearly 3,000 pounds of food donated will help ensure that families facing food insecurity have access to essential supplies during the holiday season.
Celebrated across the United States, Sewa Diwali brings together diverse communities to serve local neighborhoods through food drives and charitable initiatives. The Burlington donation is part of this larger movement, demonstrating how collective action can make a lasting difference.
Looking ahead, IAGB and its partners reaffirm their commitment to strengthening community bonds and continuing service initiatives that embody the spirit of Sewa.
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- Sewa Diwali Food Drive
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- Sewa Diwali Food Drive
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- Sewa Diwali Food Drive
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- Sewa Diwali Food Drive
