News India Times

www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know Community News India Times (January 31, 2026 - February 6, 2026) February 6, 2026 7 Uttar Pradesh Federation Of North America Celebrates UP Diwas In New Jersey O n January 25, 2026, the Uttar Pradesh Federation of North America (UPFNA) hosted a cel- ebration of Uttar Pradesh Diwas in New Jersey. According to organizers, this occasion was historic, as it marked the first-ever celebration of Uttar Pradesh Diwas outside India and in the United States. The Chief Minister of UP Yogi Aditya- nath sent his blessings and goodwill by addressing the Pravasi Uttar Pradesh com- munity with, what organizers described as “an inspiring message that filled everyone with pride and enthusiasm.” The UPFNA also received congratula- tory messages and letters from several distinguished dignitaries. The event received active support from several prominent community organi- zations. Notable contributors included Srujal Parikh (Joint Secretary, FIA), Priti Patel (Secretary, FIA), Alok Kumar (Board Member, FIA); Sanjay Gupta (President, VHP America – New Jersey); Priti Kashyap (President, BJANA) with Sushant (Vice President); and Archana Sharma (UPAGP). It was especially noteworthy that de- spite a state-level emergency and extreme cold temperatures of –14 degrees Celsius, members of the Uttar Pradesh community attended the celebration marking their unity and enthusiasm, organizers noted. The program was successfully coordi- nated by Prashant K. S. Dikshit, Founder and Trustee, UPFNA. The event was con- ducted by Neeta Tyagi. The vote of thanks was delivered by Amit Gupta, in the presence of Trustees Dr. Shiv Shahi and Amit Kumar. A special highlight of the programwas the collective rendition of “Vande Mataram”, to mark the 150th anniversary of India’s patriotic song. Additionally, organizers distributed prasad from the Shri Ram Lalla Temple in Ayodhya, India, to all devotees present. By a StaffWriter Distinguished Physician Dr. Onaly Kapasi’s 80th Birthday Celebrated In Florida M any friends, colleagues and supporters gathered recently to celebrate Dr. Onaly Kapasi’s sig- nature 80th Birthday in Florida. Among those who attended were past presidents of the American As- sociation of Physicians of Indian Origin, AAPI, Dr. Kiran Patel, Dr. Naik, BOT chair Dr. Ajit Kothari, past presidents of FIPA , Dr. Rajesh Sharma, Dr. Vipul Kabaria and many famous doctors like Dr. Ranjan and Meera Mahajan, Dr. Madhvi Sisodia, Dr. Nath, Dr.Mamta Saigal. Also included were “many other friends like Aishwarya, Sunil, Ruby and others with their lovely spouses. Missed those who could not make it,” said Dr. Chander Kapasi, wife of Dr. Onaly Kapasi. The following is a tribute to her hus- band of almost 55 years from Dr. Chander Kapasi MD, MPH. (Harvard): Dearest Ony, Wishing you a very Happy, Healthy and joyful signature 80 th Birthday. I feel grateful to have you in my life. Your strength and kindness when I am experiencing health challenges mean the world to me. You are my love, my friend and my soulmate. You are my one and Onaly. In our trials and tribulations of shared ups and downs you have consistently been lovely human being. On most days that’s true but sometimes you drive me mad, yet I am so glad, I have you as my life partner. Your accomplishments are many: President’s Scout in East Africa, gold medalist from Grant Medical College, Mumbai. You have served as President of Grant Medical College Alumni As- sociation, President of Indian Medical Association of New England and as a true foot soldier of AAPI, where you chaired many committees, especially Ethics and Grievances Committee, helping so many physicians facing challenges in the practice of medicine in USA. I remember how you used to get standing ovations at AAPI General Body and Governing Body meeting presentations . You helped AAPI Charitable Foundation and we also have a unique pleasure if having five patron trustees from our family. When Senator Kerry came to our home you helped me present a letter from the Committee of US Medical College Deans requesting a denial of admission of ‘Foreign Medical Graduates’ to the US Postgraduate Study Programs. The matter was brought to the attention of LouisW. Sullivan of Health and Human Services which led to a change the name of Foreign Medical Graduates to International Medi- cal Graduates and also a reprimand to the Committee of Deans. You were sworn in by Massachusetts GovernorWilliamWeld for an appoint- ment to the Board of Registration in Medicine ( BORM) where you served as, chair of the licensing committee, medical ethics committee and the committee on graduate medical education. Later served as an associate member of the newly formed Acupuncture Committee under Section 149. Later you served on Ethics Commit- tee of AAOS. You opened a practice of orthopedics in 1980 at famous 1180 Bea- con Street office in Brookline MA (Harley Street of Boston) and later opened, Pre- vention Pro Medical Center, Arthroscopy and Sports Medicine Center of Boston, acquired Pentucket Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in Haverhill and went on to acquire a hospital in Haverhill. You helped celebrate Independence day of India at our home in Newton with Mayor Ruthanne Fuller and many local dignitaries and friends. You are a writer and published three books on differing genres and now on your way to publish- ing, ‘Return of the Prophet’, Legend of a Lat, a children’s book series. It is of note that you researched on Patterns of Trauma at Kenyatta National Hospital and presented the paper in Kenya, at Tufts University and several hospitals in Boston in early seventies. You also presented personal research papers during the Annual Residents Day presen- tation each year of your orthopedic resi- dency training in Boston. Memorably you carried out a ground breaking research in psoriasis of the hand that brought new knowledge on the the mutilating pencil-in-cup deformation of the fingers in patients with skin psoriasis. The paper presented at the National Hand Society Meeting in Sept 1982 in New Orleans won the most coveted prize for the best research paper of the year. Even as recent as March 2017 you co-authored a paper on ACL reconstruction. You presented sci- entific lectures and talks on shoulder and hip arthroscopic surgery at National and International meetings and at the AAPI Global Meetings in Mumbai and Calcutta, India. Whereby, you have balanced a busy private practice and also pursued your interest in academic medicine. You also performed so many free surgeries in Pune, Mumbai and Him- achal and in Rast Africa. You were highly respected and recognized with many awards. I know you do not like to publicize your birthday but these occasions invite us all to reflect on what unfolded within our memories that which remind us of our shared moments. You have a tremendous presence whenever you enter a room and you are a great dancer. It was most fulfilling to celebrate your 80th. Birthday on a recent Norwegian Cruise line with children and grandchil- dren. Today it is our privilege to share our joy with our lovely extended family of friends in Florida. By a StaffWriter PHOTOS:CourtesyDr.Chander Kapasi Friends, colleagues and well-wishers gathered recently to celebrate the 80th birthday of Dr. Onaly Kapasi. Seen in photos is Dr. Onaly Kapasi and his wife Dr. Chander Kapasi and those who attended the occasion in Florida.