About Us

The India Association of Greater Charleston is a non-profit, non-religious, and non-political organization incorporated in 1984. The membership is open to all persons interested in India. The goal of this association is to provide a forum to improve the understanding of the culture and heritage of India in the United States of America.

Prior to 1984, the Indian community used to organize annual Diwali functions in North Charleston. In 1984 at the Diwali function, Dr. Bijoy Das suggested to the community to form a formal organization to organize community events. The community overwhelmingly supported the idea and thus India Association of Greater Charleston (IAGC) came to being. Jay Patel was the first elected President of IAGC in 1985. In 1986 when Dr. Shashi Pai was the second President, the Executive Committee of IAGC chose a logo for IAGC.

The official logo of the India Association of Greater Charleston was created by Omi Hasija in 1986 and represents the assimilation of people of Indian origin into a larger entity, the United States of America. The encircling wheel is the Dharma Chakra (the Wheel of Law), which is also at the center of the Indian flag. The wheel was chosen as a symbol of the eternal law of righteousness from the Sarnath stone pillar, erected in the 3rd century B. C. by Emperor Ashoka. Dharma (cosmic law) aims at the happiness of all creatures. The eagle is derived from the official seal of the United States, and the three lions are from the official seal of India. The logo thus enlightens Americans of Indian origin about their roots and the inherent qualities they bring to the United States of America.

Office Bearers

Gaurav Kaushal
President
Gaurav is a Principal Engineer at Leading IT firm, was born and raised in the vibrant city of Delhi, India. He started his new journey, when he moved to Charleston, in 2017. Since then, he has been enjoying every moment with a wonderful community. A passionate cricket and tennis enthusiast, Gaurav loves spending his free time playing tennis with friends and his daughter.
Roopam Gupta
Secretary
Roopam is a software developer working in the NPO domain. Originally from Jaipur, he has been residing in Charleston for the past three years. He enjoys outdoor activities like tennis and cricket and finds them rejuvenating, but nothing compares to the joy of spending time with family. The smiles of loved ones always remind him of their importance, and he views the community as an extended family. With this opportunity, Roopam is excited to give back and contribute to the community.
Rajat Akar
Treasurer
Rajat was born in Jaipur and has resided in Charleston for 3 years. He has an amazing career in the nonprofit sector and is committed to giving back to the Indian community. In his free time, he stays active by playing cricket and tennis and cherishes spending time with his family. Rajat looks forward to the future, meeting new people, and making a positive impact.
Hetal Singh
EC Member
Hetal is a dedicated store owner and mother of three who finds joy in connecting with the community through social activities. Known for her vibrant personality, she expertly balances business responsibilities with family life. Her passion for social engagement enables her to build meaningful connections, making her an active and valued member of the community.
Karthik Nair
EC Member
Karthik, originally from Kerala, grew up in Abu Dhabi before moving to the United States in 2013, eventually making Charleston home in 2017. A marketing professional and entrepreneur, he runs a digital marketing consulting business, fueled by his love for connecting with people, exchanging ideas, and bringing visions to life. With a deep commitment to community, Karthik strives to create spaces where individuals feel welcomed, celebrated, and connected. Dedicated to strengthening the Indian community, he focuses on enhancing cultural engagement, fostering inclusivity, and building lasting relationships that honor our heritage while embracing growth. He looks forward to serving, celebrating, and growing together.
Priyanka Dhende
EC Member
Priyanka is a freelance web developer residing in Summerville. She enjoys reading, exploring new places, practicing yoga, and bonding with family and friends over board games. She is excited to contribute to the community’s growth by nurturing meaningful relationships and playing an active role in organizing events that celebrate our culture and bring people together.

Board of Trustees

Dr. Shahid Husain – Chair
Nivedita Pandey – Vice Chair
Nanda Ragala – Secretary
Dr. Arabinda Das – Board Member
Nilesh Patel – Board Member
Past Presidents
Jayanti Patel (1985-1986)
Shashi Pai (1986-1988)
Omi Hasija (1988-1990)
P.R. Rajagopalan (1990-1992)
Bijoy C. Das (1992-1994)
Raman Patel (1994-1995)
Sati Bakshi (1995-1997)
Rajesh Mathur (1997-1999)
Rajiv Gupta (1999-2000)
Pruthvi Katikaneni (2000-2003)
Latha Hebbar (2003-2005)
Dilip Purohit (2005-2007)
Vijay Shroff (2007-2009)
Monica Emmanuel (2009-2011)
Joyce Menon (2011-2013)
Nibedita Chatterjee (2013-2015)
Randhir Makkar (2015-2017)
Shikhar Mehrotra (2017-2019)
Indu Nihalani (2019-2021)
Sudha Gangaraju (2021-2023)
Hari Kondaparthy – (2023 – 2025)
Gaurav Kaushal – (2025 – Present)

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