Connect India 2026

Connect India is the first event IAM holds to bring in all our partner organizations from the state of MN, who have connection to our roots in India, under one roof. These organizations are our local regional, cultural and service partners who work with our Asian Indian communities in the state of Minnesota. IAM brings them together to share our missions and goals, and to explore areas where we as a community can cooperate and collaborate.

Elected officials from the state senate and house are also invited, along with Consul General of India – Chicago (based on his availability), to provide an interactive platform to the invited community leaders with these officials.

IAM also gives out the annual awards like the Lifetime Achievement and Person of the Year (for the past year) awards after seeking nominations from the community and going through a rigorous evaluation process.

Please submit your nominations here for the above award categories.

Awards are also given out to the organizations that win the three traditional categories of judging at the IndiaFest from the previous year, along with recognizing key partnerships IAM has had in the previous year with our regional partners.

In 2025, the community members getting awarded at Connect India are:

1. Lifetime Achievement Award: Indu Eati, Founder of Autism Sibs Universe
2. Person of the Year Award: Cheryllyne Vaz, Entrepreneur and Realtor, working to raise awareness about brain aneurysm in women.