SOCIETY OF INDO AMERICAN ENGINEERS AND ARCHITECTS

Vol 1 Issue 5

January 2011

Newsletter

In this issue

President’s Message 1

SIAEA Annual Dinner 2-3

JUGAAD 4 JOB Wanted 4 Employment Opportunities 4 SIAEA Election 2011 4 Upcoming Events 4

ADDRESS SIAEA, P.O. BOX 745

WEST CALDWELL, NJ 07007

PHONE 201.953.9637 973.808.4090

EMAIL president@siaeany.org

www.SIAEANY.org

Once again, I would like to bring to your attention the events, planned by the Center for Architecture during a three (3) month long exhibition “Jugaad Urbanism” from February 10 thru May 21, 2011 in New York City. The Society and its young talents under the leadership of Vinod Devgan are very active in preparing for the series of symposium that will be held during these months. The Society is not only a sponsor but also an active participant in the symposiums. All society members will have Free admission to this symposium. For details, visit SIAEA’s and CFA’s websites and also look

for e-mails on this subject from your society. Elections to elect new members for the 2011 - 2013 Executive Committee is in full swing. You might have already received electronic and regular mails from the Election Committee requesting your participation. We strongly encourage each and every one of you to be part of this democratic process. Date for the swearing-in ceremony has been set for Saturday, March 12, 2011 followed by Annual General Body Meeting at Mirage Banquet Hall, Edison, NJ. Once again visit Society’s website and look for electronic and regular mails. Finally, this will be the last time I will be writing to you from President’s Message page on the Newsletter as your president. During last two years, the Executive Committee worked very hard to make a difference and take the Society to the unprecedented level. I am proud of our achievements – especially with grass root movement, enrollment of members from younger generation and student body, overall increase in membership and enhancing recognition and standing of the society in the mainstream. I enjoyed immensely serving you and the Society. I truly hope I served you well. I would like to take this opportunity to express my great appreciation to Rajiv K. Bhagat for his hard work and dedication as Editor in Chief of the SIAEA’s Newsletter. Wishing you a Happy and Healthy New Year. With warmest regards, Ravi V. Shenoy President

SIAEA MISSION STATEMENT

The goal of SIAEA shall be to organize and unite in fellowship the engineer and architectural professionals of Indian origin; to assimilate the arts and sciences of Indian Heritage into the American Society to enhance the image and high visibility of Indian professional and to stand tall

within American mainstream.

ABOUT SIAEA

SIAEA (Society of Indo American Engineers and Architects), is the organization of Engineers and Architects. Through education, licensure advocacy, leadership training, multi-disciplinary networking and outreach, SIAEA enhances the image of its members and their ability to ethically and professionally practice engineering and architecture.

Message from President

RAVI V. SHENOY

My fellow members: I am pleased to bring to you our fourth

and last quarterly newsletter of 2010. Once again, this edition is filled with news and accomplishments of our Society and its members. The first and foremost, the 30th Annual Gala was held in the Empire Ballroom of Grand Hyatt Hotel at Grand Central Station in Manhattan on Saturday, November 20th, 2010. The “sold out” event was attended by over eight hundred (800) people including many of our members and their families, several dignitaries, notable architects and engineers from private and public sector. By far, it was one of the best and well organized event drawing accolades from every corner of the Society. The media and the press present at the event called “…it ranks among the top events which Indian Americans in the Tri State area look forward to attend and be part of”. The young emcees were masterful; which highlights Society’s motto to encourage participation of younger generation. The attendance of “who is who” in the industry is a testimonial to professional accomplishments of our members and the recognition of this society by the industry and the mainstream at large. The theme for this year’s gala “Committed to Enhancing Infrastructure” is in tune with the vision of the leaders of the nation and the industry. During the gala, the society honored seven professionals for their excellence in the chosen field including two “Under 40” professionals. Ten students from around the country were awarded $2,000 scholarship each.

Q U

A R

T E

R L

Y

N E

W S

L E

T T

E R

a not-for-profit professional organization

1 | P a g e

The Society of Indo-American Engineers and Architects (SIAEA) celebrated its Annual Gala with over 800

professionals and the families at the Grand Hyatt in New York City.

The theme of this year’s event was “Committed to Enhancing Infrastructure.”

Invited guests included, John C. Liu, New York City Comptroller, India’s Consul General in New York Prabhu

Dayal, and other exceptional public officials and private industry titans.

In his address, Chief Guest John Liu spoke of how fortunate it was for him to grow up in New York City and of

the City’s embrace and empowerment of immigrants, such as himself and several members of SIAEA. He also

spoke of the need of infrastructure development of the City’s crumbling infrastructure (roads, bridges, tunnels)

and appreciated the SIAEA for its dedication towards infrastructure development. Mr. Liu also spoke, highly, of

Indian-American Engineers and Architects for their continued efforts in the construction industry and detailed

his commitment to equal opportunity contract awards for women and minority entrepreneurs.

Mr. William Goldstein (Executive Vice President of MTA Capital Construction) in his Keynote address to the

Society, spoke of the current state of infrastructure in New York City and the profound bureaucracy that

impedes or destroy projects that would significantly benefit the City at large. He urged the Gala attendees to

step into the public debate and take ownership of public discussions that influence infrastructure development

programs.

Mr. William McGuiness (Vice President, Skanska USA Civil) spoke of Skanska’s commitment to strengthening

communities by improving/repairing infrastructure. Mr. McGuiness acknowledged the current economical

challenges facing businesses in the United States but encouraged Gala attendees to take the opportunity to

develop cost efficient solutions and better business practices in order to remain competitive.

President Ravi Shenoy enumerated the SIAEA’s successes throughout the year. Mr. Shenoy spoke of the “Jugaad

Urbanism” exhibition, scheduled for February 2011; the exhibition’s focus is on how to create strategies, based

on Jugaad (or making-do) spirit, for development of resourceful metropolitan cities in India.

Mr. Shenoy also discussed the Society’s outreach to the younger generation of Engineers and Architects of

Indian origin. As part of its continued effort to encourage the next generation, the SIAEA gave out ten (10)

$2,000.00 scholarships to aspiring Engineering/Architecture students. Mr. Shenoy stated that the response to

the SIAEA’s call to action has been particularly encouraging and that many younger Engineers and Architects

have began to take on organizational responsibilities in the Society. Case-in-point: the Annual Gala was MC’d by

two such Engineers/Architects; Ms. Anita Asokan (also a member of the Annual Gala Committee) and Mr. Akhil

Dayal (a member of the Annual Gala committee and Executive Committee Director). The SIAEA also, for the first

time, recognized two (2) “Under-40” professionals in addition to seven (7) other Engineers and Architects.

Some of the events guests included, David J. Burney, Commissioner, Department of Design & Construction, NYC;

James H. Jones, President TDX Construction; Ken Dircks, Senior Executive at Accenture; Michael J. Garner, Chief

Diversity Officer, MTA Office of Civil Rights; Suzanne S. Veira, Senior Director, Office of Business Development

Division; Michael M. Clay, Director of Opportunity Programs, DASNY; Lash Green, Director, Office of Business

and Job Opportunity, PANYNJ; and Michael H. Jones-Bey, Executive Director, Empire State Development.

The SIAEA extends its thanks to all our members and friends who joined us at the event and to those of you that

could not be there, we hope you will join us this year!

www.SIAEANY.org 2

Quarterly Newsletter S I A E A

PRESIDENT Ravi V. Shenoy, P.E.

PRESIDENT-ELECT

Nayan Parikh, B.E.

EXEC. V. PRESIDENT Amar Malla, B.Arch.

VICE PRESIDENT Rajiv K. Bhagat, B.E.

SECRETARY

Yatish Sharma, MSEE

JOINT SECRETARY Jaswant B. Mody, MSME

TREASURER

Pradeep Desai, BSCE

ASST. TREASURER Ketan Shah, P.E.

DIRECTORS

Akhil Dayal, BSEE Bina Parikh, R.A.

Mihir B. Patel, B.E. Nayan Trivedi, P.E.

Shailesh R. Naik, P.E. Shishir K. Agrawal, B. Tech.

Tanvir Ahmad, M.S. Vikrant Sampat, P.E. Yogesh Mistry, AIA

SPECIAL ADVISOR Vinod Devgan, R.A.

HONORARY MEMBER

Sudhir Sachdev, M.B.A

IMM. PAST PRESIDENT Bansi Shah, B.E.

PAST PRESIDENTS Mohan Jethwani, P.E. Harshad Lakhani, P.E.

Amba Sharma B.S., M.S. Madhu Goradia, P.E.

Deo Gosine, B.S., MBA Satish Babbar, R.A.

Dharam Aggarwal, P.E. Lal Motwani, B. Arch.

Kirit Desai, R.A. Noel Vaz, M.E.

Jagmohan Kapur, B.E.

NEWSLETTER COMMITTEE Vinod Devgan Rajiv Bhagat

Committee 2009-2011

SSSIIIAAAEEEAAA 333000ttthhh AAAnnnnnnuuuaaalll GGGaaalllaaa DDDiiinnnnnneeerrr Grand Hyatt, NYC Saturday, Nov 20, 2010

S I A E A

Quarterly Newsletter

Glimpses of SIAEA 30th Annual Gala

www.SIAEANY.org 3

UPCOMING EVENTS

03/12/2011 – Oath Taking Ceremony

(immediately followed by Annual General Body Meeting)

03/23/2011 – Technical Seminar (Topic TBD)

05/18/2011 – Technical Seminar (Topic TBD)

07/20/2011 – Technical Seminar (Topic TBD)

07/23/2011 – SIAEA Networking Dinner Cruise

09/21/2011 – Technical Seminar (Topic TBD)

11/19/2011 – SIAEA Annual Gala Dinner

Quarterly Newsletter

MEMBERS NEWS:

Shenoy Engineering PC, owned by our very own Ravi Shenoy, has been recognized as one of the pioneer Engineering firms on the East Coast by the Architects Newspaper (January 19, 2011 edition - Features Section). Companies acknowledged by the publication are submitted by member Architects from their proverbial “Black Books” - list of favorite Engineering firms. The SIAEA extends its heartiest congratulations to Mr. Shenoy and Shenoy Engineering PC.

Employment Opportunities:

Shenoy Engineering P.C. is seeking:

Senior HVAC Engineer – Design Must have at least 10 years of experience.

Senior Electrical Engineer – Design Must have at least 10 years of experience.

Senior Quality Control Engineer Must have 25-30 years of experience.

Construction Engineer Must have at least 10 years of experience.

Email resumes to: dhara@shenoyengineers.com

JOB Wanted:

Electrical Engineer: An electrical engineer with 5 years of experience is looking for a suitable position in Electrical Engineering field.

Contact: Rupinder Singh @ 484-362-3147

Editor’s Note:

As part of our service to our members, the editor will post all job opportunity and job wanted ads at no cost. If you are an employer looking for qualified, experienced and hardworking engineer or architect forward your ads to us. If you are a member and seeking employment, please let us post your job wanted ad. Please e-mail your ad not more than 25-30 words to president@siaeany.org

SIAEA event dates are tentative and subject to change. Confirmation of events shall be sent via email. Visit our website for further information.

“all omissions and errors are regretted”

Rajiv K. Bhagat Editor-in-Chief NEWSLETTER

S I A E A A Not-for-Profit Professional Organization

Saturday Nov. 20, 2010

Rajiv K. Bhagat Editor-in-Chief

NEWSLETTER

SIAEA Elections for Executive Committee 2011-2013

Play your part in the Future of OUR Society!

The Society of Indo-American Engineers and Architects Election for the 2011-2013 Executive Committee is in full swing. The positions are:

1. President Elect 2. Executive Vice President 3. Vice President 4. Secretary 5. Joint Secretary 6. Treasurer 7. Assistant Treasurer 8. Directors (Nine Positions)

The Election committee has received and is reviewing applications and nominations. Stay tuned to the Society’s website (www.siaeany.org) as well as your email for up-to-the minute information. At press time, Ballots have been sent to all members eligible to vote. If you have not received a ballot, please contact president@siaeany.org or electionchair@siaeany.org. Also, do not forget to RSVP for the Oath taking ceremony to be held

Saturday, March 12, 2011.

Center for Architecture to present first exhibition in US on contemporary Indian urbanism

Exhibition on view in New York February 10 – May 21, 2011

Press are invited to a press preview with the curator from 10am-12pm on Thursday, February 10 at the Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Place, NYC 10012. To RSVP, or for press images, please contact Emily Nemens at 212-358-6126 or enemens@aiany.org NEW YORK CITY, January 14, 2011 – The first show of its kind, Jugaad Urbanism: Resourceful Strategies for Indian Cities explores how the energy of citizens “making do” can be an inspiration and a catalyst for the worldwide community of architects, designers, and urban planners. With so much emphasis on high design and high-tech in typical architecture shows, an exhibition focusing on design by the people, for the people, of Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Pune brings a new perspective to the international conversation about designing for life in contemporary cities. The exhibition, which is on view from February 10- May 21, 2011, is organized in partnership with the India China Institute at The New School, the Indo-American Arts Council and the Society of Indo-American Engineers and Architects. Related programs will include a day-long symposium on informal settlements and low income housing in India, organized in partnership with the United Nations Human Settlements (UN-HABITAT) program, and a weekly film series of documentaries and Bollywood features that focus on life in contemporary India. “Together, the exhibition and programs aim to educate both local and international audiences about the critical issues of growing cities,” explains Margaret Castillo, AIA, LEED AP, the president of the American Institute of Architects New York Chapter. “While Mumbai may seem a world away from New York City, the lessons learned from its empowered citizens and designers can be applied to rapidly expanding cities with similar issues, such as Rio or Guangzhou. Object-based, small-scale urbanism proves that good design has the power to make the world a better place.”

To read more, visit the SIAEA website - www.siaeany.org

JOIN US in our MEMEBERSHIP

DRIVE

wishes all its members

a happy,

healthy and prosperous

Year 2011

“each one reach one”