Chicago, Oct 21: IDF USA was launched by the Octogenarian social worker Dr ARK Pillai (85 yrs) in the presence of the elite of Chicago who thronged India House, Schaumburg on Friday Oct 19.

“I wish IDF USA to bring peace, harmony and relief to millions globally”, said the US Congressman Joe Walsh as he lit the traditional lamp to inaugurate the Project Goodness event.

Social service to reach every segment of needy people is the need of the hour and enlightened society of Chicago can certainly meet the challenge, Walsh added.

Commending the untiring efforts of Dr Pillai and Dr Narayan of IDF India, Walsh promised every support to continue goodness efforts in Chicago and elsewhere in the USA.

“A large number of people below the poverty line in India deserve to be looked after and it is the responsibility of Samaritans in India and USA to come forward to take this challenge. Health care in critical zones, education for the poor children and development work including environment are focus areas that need attention”, Dr Pillai founder President of IDF India and mentor of IDF USA said.

The journey of goodness which started serving a few leprosy patients in Mumbai (India), went ahead in designing the communication strategy for India's leprosy elimination program and later becoming a national NGO and getting the UN Special Consultative Status for Economic Social Council from 2012, Dr Pillai expressed with a great sense satisfaction as he shared his 4-decade goodness reminiscences.

Inspired by Swami Vivekananda, Dr Narayan Iyer started with `Sisters and Brothers of Humanity' which touched everyone present in the gathering.  Dr Narayan Iyer, CEO, IDF-India gave an excellent account of the humanitarian work done by IDF for nearly three decades in India and exhorted citizens of US to come forward in large numbers to support social work both in India and US to serve those in distress. Dr Narayan was lustily cheered as he recounted the success stories of IDF India including its major role in leprosy elimination program.

Cecil Joseph, gave instances of excellent support for education for the poor in India and narrated his personal experience in Chindran School near Panvel (close to Mumbai) during his visit to India.  He also expressed fullest support to IDF's humanitarian projects, particularly the upcoming Centre of Excellence in Bangalore, India. Dr Pillai announced the names of trustees of IDF USA with John Trivedi (president), Thomas Abraham (vice-president), Mukesh K. Shah (treasurer), Cecil Joseph (secretary and CEO) and Queenie Mendonca (trustee) and they were welcomed by the cheering audience.

Chandresh Brahmbhatt (Chicago), Kanti S Patel (Chicago), Keerthi Kumar (Chicago), Vinod Patel (Chicago), Dr Suman Patel (Detroit), Ramesh Gandhi (Detroit MI), Vijay Nurani (Detroit MI),  Billy Singh (New York), Vijay Oruganti (Albany NY) and S Jayaraman (San Jose) will be the advisors of IDF USA.
More advisors will be inducted as the journey of goodness gain momentum in other states and cities of the USA, Dr Pillai said.

IDF USA will support IDF India's social projects involving health, education for the poor children and empowerment of women. In addition to cleft correction projects, IDF India has 120 health projects, 100 empowerment schools and five women empowerment projects spread across the nation. 
IDF USA will also support humanitarian projects in the USA, expressed John Trivedi, president of IDF-USA.

Karen Joseph entertained the audience with a melodious song while Glenn Joseph invoked divine blessings through prayers in the beginning. Children entertained the audience with dance, as the members from the audience joined them as it picked up momentum.

Sunita Latamba compered the event while Thomas Abraham proposed the vote of thanks. Bhupendra Singh rendered hit melodies and entertained the audience.

For more details on IDF USA - log on to www.idfusa.org
Cecil Joseph -   847 - 652 5435 - cecilojoseph@hotmail.com
John Trivedi -   224 - 659 4362 - johnvtrivedi@gmail.com