Chicago South Asian Film Festival Oct 1-3

Presented by NetIP Chicago and Vachikam Inc., hosted by Columbia College Chicago and supported by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, the festival was developed to promote South Asian culture throughout the greater Chicago metro area and Midwest, by showcasing filmmakers of South Asian descent as well as films that represent the perspective of the Diaspora. The event will establish a groundbreaking cinematic and cultural experience. This year’s festival will attract close to 2,000 people consisting of various professionals, students, faculty, filmmakers and members of the Chicago South Asian community.

The three-day experience kicks off with a red carpet event at the Chicago Cultural Center, followed by the opening night film, a question and answer session with the director and actors, and a gala reception.  Screenings on Saturday and Sunday will take place at Film Row Cinema at Columbia College Chicago. This year’s festival will screen 16 films including features, shorts, and documentaries in a variety of genres. All film sessions at Columbia College Chicago include Q&A with the director and/or actors.

As an added bonus, selected films will be shown at Claudia Theater at the Chicago Cultural Center on Saturday and admission to the public will be absolutely FREE – so don’t miss out on this opportunity to catch these outstanding independent films.

Additional offerings over the weekend include a special workshop “Hollywood Production with the Canon DSLR camera system” for those interested in learning how to use a Canon 5D/7D for film, television, and web production.

About the Films and Attendees

We’ve selected sixteen fascinating films that showcase the world through the eyes of South Asians. The line up includes the opening night film 2 Paise For Sunshine 4 Annas for Rain starring Manisha Koirala; 2009 National Award winning film, Antaheen; Ajay Naidu’s directorial debut movie, Ashes; and a series of outstanding features, short films and documentaries. More information on the films can be found at http://www.csaff.org/film_selections.html.

Artists expected to attend include award winning directors and actors – Deepti Naval, Manisha Koirala, Rajit Kapoor, Aparna Sen, Ajay Naidu, Ravi Kapoor, Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury, Meera Simhan, Umakanth Thumrugoti and Rajeshwari Sachdev.

Tickets

Tickets are on sale!! Individual movie screenings are only $11 and each screening includes a short film, the feature film and a Q&A session with the director and/or actor. It’s a perfect opportunity to meet the filmmakers and learn about their craft and their films.

Opening night is $100 and includes a red carpet arrival, screening of our opening night film, Q&A with the director/principal actors, and the exclusive opening night gala. Enjoy tantalizing hors d-oeuvres along with alcoholic beverages and other refreshments as you network in style with a crowd of prominent guests and artists. Opening night tickets are limited, so be sure to purchase your ticket soon!

Special festival passes are also available at a discounted rate. Please visit http://csaff.org/ticket_passes.html for tickets and prices.

For more information, contact Amit Rana, Cultural Chair NetIP Chicago at amit.rana@netipchicago.org

NetIP’s 3 City Tour – First Stop, Chicago

NetIP Chicago has teamed up with NYC and LA to host a 3 city tour, highlighting the best each city has to offer. The tour arrives in Chicago the weekend of July 16th so clear your calendar and buy your ticket for a 3 day party! Re-connect with old friends from across the country and make new ones while partying with a purpose. All proceeds from the event will be benefiting the Cancer is Colorblind campaign.

The Cancer is Colorblind (CiC) campaign seeks to raise awareness and funds for pediatric and adult cancer prevention and treatment, while honoring cancer survivors and fighters who have made an impact in the local community.

Goose Island Tour & Tasting w/ After Party

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Friday, July 16th @ 6:30pm

Located in the heart of bustling Lincoln Park, Goose Island has consistently brewed Chicago’s finest hand-crafted ales and lagers. Sample their award-winning beers and get a behind the scenes tour of how they create their seasonal and specialty brews. After the tour, the festivities will continue at Y-Bar with a Belvedere Vodka hosted open bar party at Y-Bar 10:00 pm to 11:30pm!

Afternoon at Navy Pier
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Saturday, July 17th @ 11:30am

Enjoy all that Navy Pier has to offer! Bring out your inner child at Pier Park with the historic Ferris wheel, carousel and miniature golf (2 rides included). Take a stroll through the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows. Finally, cool down with a cold beverage and a good conversation with old friends and new at the Beer Garden.

Party on the Water (Boat Party)
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Saturday, July 17th @ 7pm

Everything needed for an unforgettable night, encompassed in one unforgettable event. Join NetIP Chicago for a glamorous night aboard the Summer of George. Mix and mingle with other savvy professionals against the backdrop of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. Afterward, join us at Crescendo for an exclusive after-party to keep the momentum going.

Sunday Walk/Lunch
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Sunday, July 18th @ 12pm

Savor the traditional and innovative fine Indian cuisine at Gaylord Restaurant. Don’t fall asleep just yet; take a stroll down the famous “Mag Mile” where shopping, the city sites, and the historic Water Tower await you.

******************ONLY WAY TO REGISTER FOR THE WEEKEND****************
Purchase a 3-day pass for an entire weekend of festivities
Members $90 http://bit.ly/cV7vCV
Non-member $110 http://bit.ly/axQyjT

A la carte tickets also available.

Raving Review for Raja

Last month we told you about the launch of NetIP Chicago’s Professional Development Workshop Series. This month, NetIP launched the Professional Development Speaker Series. The goal of the Speaker Series is to invite Chicago’s business, political, and community leaders to talk about their practice areas and to discuss with NetIP members and guests their unique paths to professional success. The Speaker Series events are designed to provide NetIP members and guests one-on-one access to high profile Chicagoans in a relaxed and professional setting.

It was NetIP’s honor to present Raja Krishnamoorthi, former Deputy Illinois State Treasurer, as the featured speaker to kick off the Professional Development Speaker Series. During a cocktail reception before the featured event, guests engaged Raja in lively one-on-one discussions, networked with NetIP members and enjoyed cocktails and hors d’ oeuvres provided by the event sponsor Sidley Austin LLP. Raja spoke regarding his past experience as a Partner in the Commercial Litigation Department at Kirkland Ellis and his transition to public office.

He also discussed the successes and challenges of his 2010 record-breaking campaign for the Illinois State Comptroller and his consideration for the position of Lieutenant Governor of Illinois. Following brief remarks, Raja invited guests to ask questions and provided candid and thoughtful answers during an informal question and answer session. After the presentation, guests continued to network and enjoy the beautiful Chicago skyline view from the 37th Floor of the Sidley Austin building. Conversations touched upon leadership styles, political awareness, presentation material, and future NetIP events.

For those interested in learning more about Raja Krishnamoorthi, you can do so through Facebook. You can access that link here:www.facebook.com/rajaforillinois or through his personal fan page.

NetIP Chicago’s next Professional Development event will be held on June 17th at Bevi Amo. As part of our ProDevelopment Workshop Series, Koushik Subramanian will present strategies on identity protection as informational security becomes an increasing priority in our lives. Please join us for this exciting event.

Cancer is Color Blind

What is “CiC” and Why NetIP for $100,000?

Our first blog launching the Cancer is Colorblind (“CiC”) campaign simultaneously responds to two questions we’ve heard throughout the course of the last six months while developing and planning our fundraising campaign benefiting pediatric and adult cancer patients at Children’s Memorial Hospital and the Sinai Health System:  What is CiC? and Why NetIP?

Everyone wants to help the kids (i.e. our pediatric cancer patients at Children’s Memorial Hospital) and adults fighting cancer (i.e. our partnership with the Sinai Health System).  But why NetIP?  Is cancer NOT colorblind?  What does cancer have to do with a group of 5,000+ South Asian professionals?  Does cancer uniquely affect South Asians?  Are various types of cancer more prevalent in the South Asian community?

It’s true that researchers compile information about cancer diagnoses and track cases using a number of variables including ethnicity and gender to understand the factors affecting cancer risk and how cancer impacts society.  It’s also true that rates of certain cancers, such as liver and stomach cancer, are relatively higher among Asians than certain other segments of the general population.  (See, e.g., USC Comprehensive Cancer Center, 2006 Cancer Report).  But it’s equally true and voluminous statistical data support the proposition that cancer affects all races, genders, and ages.  (See American Cancer Society, Illinois Cancer Facts & Figures 2008-2009)  Since no subset of the population is immune, the theme and direction of our campaign focuses on the “colorblind” nature of cancer.  It’s also our namesake.

But many potential supporters may still wonder why a group called the Network of Indian Professionals of Chicago (“NetIP Chicago”) would invest significant resources, time, and money launching a six-month campaign dedicated to raising funds for cancer-related programming and research and honoring cancer survivors and fighters. After all, there are numerous “South Asian-specific” charities and causes ranging from Apna Ghar (domestic violence shelter catering to immigrant populations) to Akshaya Patra (meal program for hungry school kids in India) to the Association for India’s Development (movement promoting sustainable and equitable development in India).  And these are just a few South Asian focused community groups starting with the alphabet “A”!

While NetIP Chicago partners with and/or supports each of these noted organizations, we designed the Cancer is Colorblind Campaign, which includes our signature year-end gala, to highlight the new and improved NetIP Chicago.  Our mission entails fostering the development of all segments of the Chicago professional community, who have an interest in South Asian culture.

Cancer is Colorblind provides a unique opportunity to achieve our mission by mobilizing and leveraging the success of the entire Chicago community, while recognizing and supporting the cancer struggle shared by all.  Individual participants are presented with an avenue to make an impact, help save lives, and work with like-minded professionals throughout the course of the CiC Campaign.

Getting involved is easy. Participate and start making an impact today.

NetIP Chicago: 8 hours, 4 Members, and 1 House

Written by Kesha Parikh, Community Outreach, NetIP Chicago

On National Rebuilding Day, April 24th, volunteers from the Network of Indian Proffesionals Chicago Chapter put in a great deal of  hard work and time commitment in helping one elderly woman rebuild her home.  The purpose of the event was to renovate the homes of elderly, disabled, or low-income residents by pulling together electricians, carpenters, plumbers, painters and volunteers.

This year, NetIP Chicago volunteers woke up very early on a Saturday morning and spent 8 long, hard hours re-painting and re-flooring an elderly woman’s house on the south side of Chicago.  The woman had lived there for over 30 years and was recently disabled due to a hip fracture.  A special thanks goes out to all the volunteers, Sujata, Bobby, Kesha and Amit for going above and beyond their duties.  Together, they de-greased and painted two bathrooms, a kitchen, a hallway and a living room.  Sujata was on her hands and knees helping clean and re-floor the kitchen.  Bobby did the tough job of painting all the ceilings and removing a dusty carpet from the living room.

The house captain who was responsible for managing the project was so pleased with the volunteers that he has asked NetIP Chicago to collaborate with him again next year to help a new home owner transform their house.  The granddaughter of the woman whose house we rebuilt also had some kind words to share with the volunteers as she was touched to see total strangers spending their free time helping her rebuild her grandmother’s home.

Please join NetIP Chicago in expressing a special thanks to all the volunteers for their hard work and dedication that day!

For more information on NetIP Chicago and their upcoming events visit www.NetIPChicago.org or www.Facebook.com/NetIPChicago.

www.NetIP.org

Edited by Latha Nerhru, VP Of External Affairs, NetIP North America

NetIP Chicago’s Sinai Health System Volunteer Event

By Marina Isaac, Community Partnership Liaison, NetIP Chicago

Chicago’s Sinai Health System is used to seeing diversity on a daily basis.  The health system was originally founded to serve the needs of Eastern Jewish immigrants in the community.  Currently, it primarily serves the African-American and Latino population.  However, on April 3, 2010, Sinai welcomed a strong presence of volunteers from the Network of Indian Professionals, Chicago Chapter eager and willing to dedicate their time to support Sinai’s Kids Club Easter Event.

NetIP Chicago  recently partnered with Sinai Health System as part of their community outreach efforts.  Sinai Health System, located on Chicago’s west side, has been serving the surrounding community’s needs for over 90 years.  Over 72% of the patients have no coverage or utilize Medicaid.  Yet Sinai continues to uphold the belief that all individuals deserve to be treated according to the same standard of care, regardless of socio-economic status.

In addition to volunteer hours, NetIP Chicago seeks to provide a number of professional services such as financial consulting, short-term marketing projects, and pro bono legal support to Sinai as requested.  Furthermore, NetIP Chicago will be providing fiscal support to Sinai as one of the beneficiaries for the upcoming annual gala on November 20th.  The theme for this year’s gala is Cancer is Colorblind (CiC).

NetIP Chicago’s first volunteer event with Sinai was a marked success.  Over 55 children had the pleasure of working with volunteers to make crafts, color, and play games for Sinai’s Kids Club Easter Event.  Sinai Health System promotes these Kids Club Events for children from the community to enjoy the holidays like many of their peers across the nation.

The day started with volunteers working on Easter baskets and crafts for the children to take home to decorate their homes.  As the children worked diligently on their masterpieces, NetIP volunteers distributed refreshments and supplies and assisted the aspiring, young artists and their parents.  As the morning progressed, volunteers gathered children to play games such as “Simon Dice” [Simon Says] and “Sillas Musicales” [Musical Chairs].  Above the cacophony of voices shouting in different languages and bodies moving in different directions, it was clear that regardless of age, all who were present enjoyed their time together.  After all, fun is colorblind too.

For more information on NetIP Chicago including their upcoming events please visit www.netipchicago.org.

www.NetIP.org