Leadership Message
As we reflect on our shared commitment to creating lasting impact, we are thrilled to invite you to our annual flagship event: the Indians for Collective Action (ICA) Annual Gala, 2026. Gala 2026.
Under our core theme of Climate Sustainability “Collective Action for a Better Tomorrow this year we focus on Climate Sustainability”. This special evening brings our vibrant community together to celebrate grassroots achievements, foster meaningful connections, and champion environmental stewardship.
Event Details
Date & Time: October 4, 2026 | 5:00 PM
Location: Crowne Plaza Hotel, 4290 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA
This year, we are honored to feature Sankar Halder, Founder and President of the Mukti Foundation based in Kolkata, West Bengal. His inspiring dedication to ecological restoration and sustainable rural development embodies the transformative power of community-led change.
Beyond an inspiring keynote, the evening promises a wonderful celebration featuring delectable food catered by Amber India alongside dynamic performances by the Bay Area Creative Dance Academy.
Every project we support and every life we touch is made possible through your generosity. The Gala is not only a moment to honor extraordinary leaders like Sankar Halder, but also a vital opportunity to raise the funds needed to drive our ongoing sustainability initiatives.
Reserve your seat today by visiting www.icaonline.org or scanning the QR code on our flyer. Let us come together to celebrate, inspire, and act.
Namita Maunder
Marketing Chair
Indians for Collective Action
Spotlight on NGO
Charutar Arogya Mandal: Decades of Compassionate Healthcare in Rural Gujarat
Founded in 1972 by former Finance and Home Minister of India, Dr. H. M. Patel, Charutar Arogya Mandal (CAM) was built on a singular, powerful vision: that quality, compassionate healthcare should be accessible to all, regardless of socio-economic standing.
Over five decades later, CAM has touched more than 9.5 million lives across rural Gujarat, living out its core promise of bringing “Solace to the Suffering.”
Through its flagship facility, Shree Krishna Hospital, CAM delivers world-class medical care with equitable access at its heart. Programs like the Aashirwad Scheme break financial barriers by offering free outpatient consultations, complimentary stays, and subsidized diagnostics for underprivileged patients. Last year alone, CAM provided US$ 5.75 million in subsidized and free welfare care.
Beyond hospital walls, CAM empowers future medical leaders through Bhaikaka University, offering scholarships to deserving students so financial hardship never halts a passion for healing.
Meanwhile, the SPARSH community health initiative brings vital care directly to 400,000 villagers across 125 rural communities. Trained Village Health Workers deliver chronic disease management, health screening, and home visits right to the doorsteps of the bedridden.
CAM’s holistic model unites advanced medical science, healthcare education, and grassroots outreach. As we look forward, the continued generosity of partners like ICA and our global donor community remains essential to sustaining these life-saving interventions and building a healthier, more equitable India.
How You Can Help:
Join us in furthering CAM’s mission to ensure healthcare equality for rural communities. To learn more or support the welfare schemes and student scholarships, visit their website.
Youth News Highlight
2026 ICA Youth Leadership Program
The 2026 ICA Youth Leadership Program completed another transformative International Cultural Exchange & Learning Volunteering Trip to Hemalkasa, India. Bringing together students of diverse heritage from across the United States, the journey fostered deep intercultural connections, lifelong friendships, and a shared passion for service.
Participants stayed at Anandwan and Lok Biradari Prakalp, groundbreaking institutions shaped by Baba Amte’s legacy of compassion, and learned directly from Dr. Prakash Amte and his family.
Hands-On Impact & Cultural Exchange
- Service: Students assisted with animal care at the Animal Ark and practiced sustainable agriculture on organic farms.
- Education: Participants taught English, shared computer skills, and led a high-energy Robotics and Artificial Intelligence workshop for local students.
- Connection: The group engaged with local youth through sports, music, and dance, while visiting nearby villages to understand tribal traditions and daily life.
Generosity & Gratitude
Thanks to the generosity of participant families, the trip provided 700 reusable metal water bottles to Hemalkasa students alongside essential goodie bags for our volunteers.
Bringing the journey full circle, participants gathered at the India Community Center on August 23, 2026, to share their experiences and inspire the broader community.
Special thanks to ICA, Dr. Prakash Amte, the Amte family, and the dedicated teams at Anandwan and Lok Biradari Prakalp for making this vision possible. By stepping outside the classroom, these young volunteers returned home as compassionate, action-oriented global leaders.
Manju Mishra, Team Lead – Youth LEADership Program
Previous Issues
|
LEADERSHIP
Executive Committee:
|
Indians for Collective Action (ICA) |
