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A Tentative Program and What to Expect at New England Choice Awards Gala Today

WALTHAM, MA-As we get ready to celebrate the achievements and contributions of the pillars of our community at New England Choice Awards gala today (Friday, Nov. 15) , we want to thank you all for your overwhelming support and commitment to our community.

Here are a few things to keep in mind as you head to the gala on today at Westin Hotel in Waltham, MA:

1.The event is completely sold out. There is not a single seat available. So, please do not bring any extra guest and no walk-ins allowed.

2.The dress code is black-tie or formal Indian wear.

3.You will be pleased to know that virtually every sector of our community—business, technology, non-profits, philanthropy, community, medical, academia and art and culture—are represented at this unique awards gala.

4.Everyone is assigned a table, and please do respect that. It is not possible to have the desired seats for all, it is a community celebration and ultimately it does not matter where we sit. The entire ballroom is one and we will all be together to celebrate in one place.

5.Please note that the gala is today,  Friday (Nov. 15), and there may be some traffic issues in the evening around the Westin Hotel in Waltham. So please, give yourself some extra time.

6.Registration begins at 6:00 pm, and the reception and cocktail hour will kick off at 6:15 pm. The Grand Ballroom doors will open at 6:45 pm and the award ceremony will start at 7:00 pm with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Dinner, catered by Masala Art, will start at 9:15 pm. You may also want to bring your dancing shoes as the dance floor will open soon after. Here is tentative schedule:

6:00 PM: Registration

6:15 PM – Reception/Cocktail

7:00 PM – Show (segment one) starts; Anu Chitrapu and Anupendra Sharma kick it off

7:10 PM—A dance by Jasmine Shah

7:05 PM – Welcome: Upendra Mishra and Dr. Manju Sheth

7:15 PM – Chief Guest Dana-Farber CEO Laurie Glimcher

7:25 PM – Guest of Honor Congressman Joe Kennedy

7:35 PM –Lifetime Achievement Award to Leader Bank Founder & CEO Sushil Tuli.

8:00 PM – A song by Anuradha Palakurthi

8:10 PM –Aditi Taylor and Mandy Pant kick off segment two with awards in various categories:

Academic Achievement

Art, Culture and Music

Healthcare

Philanthropist of the Year

Community Service

Youth Leadership Award

Business and Entrepreneurship

Non-Profit Organization of the Year

8.There is free parking. The hotel has kindly agreed to make the entire open parking lot next to the ballroom available for the event. If this lot is full, you can always drive up to the parking garage. You may be required to get a parking ticket, but you will not have to pay when you leave the garage.

9.SEE YOU TODAY, AND A BIGGGGGG THANKKKKK YOUUUUU!

With regards,

New England Choice Awards Team: Anu Chitrapu, Upendra Mishra, Mandy Pant, Anupendra Sharma, Manju Sheth and Aditi Taylor.