The program is scheduled from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Cabaña Palo Alto, California 4290 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94306 Tel: 650 857 0787.

Arvind Kejriwal, an alumnus of IIT (BT/ME/89/IITKGP), who founded the Indian NGO Parivartan that is fighting corruption in India (http://www.parivartan.com/Home.asp), has been given the award for his contribution to the landmark Right To Information law in India and for "activating the right to information movement at the grassroots". The nationwide law is aimed at increasing transparency in public life and helping curb corruption. Mr Kejriwal, a former tax officer, has also led an anti-graft campaign in the capital, Delhi. He reminds Indians that "the boons of collective action, such as the honest delivery of services, have already been paid for through taxes."  In March 2006, Arvind received the Satyendra K. Dubey Memorial Award, instituted by IIT Kanpur for displaying highest professional integrity for upholding human values. He was one of two prominent South Asians who were awarded this year's prestigious Ramon Magsaysay award.

Dr. Lawrence (Larry) Brilliant, a medical doctor, epidemiologist, technologist, activist, and author is being recognized for his contributions to international health and in starting the  Seva Foundation whose projects in India and other countries have given back sight to more than 2 million blind people through surgery, self sufficient eye care systems, and low cost manufacturing of intraocular lenses. Dr. Brilliant lived in India for ten years, first at a Himalayan monastery studying with Neem Karoli Baba, and later as a diplomat working for the United Nations. He was one of the leaders of the successful World Health Organization (WHO) smallpox eradication program. Larry, a technology patent holder, has been CEO of two public companies and other venture backed start ups. He spent the first half of 2005 as a volunteer helping out in the tsunami in Sri Lanka and working in India with WHO in the campaign to eradicate polio. In 2005 he was awarded the TED Prize. As his prize nominator summed up, "'Dr. Brilliant' is a name to live up to, and he has." In February 2006, Google appointed him as the Executive Director of Google.org, the philanthropic arm of Google.

Past Honorees Recognized by ICA:

Dr. Sandeep Pandey, 2005, Dr. Mallika Sarabhai, 2004, Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan, 2002

Dr. S. N. Subba Rao and Mrs Sushma Iyengar, 2001, Dr. Sudarshan & Maitri – 2000

For more info, please contact Nishita Bakshi, nishbakshi@gmail.com 650-766-6743;    Abhay Bhushan, akbhushan@aol.com 650-868-6645; Suresh Gadad, sureshgadad@yahoo.com 925--736-3459; Santosh Jain, santoshjain@yahoo.com  510-848-1523; Raj Mashruwala, mashru@iitbombay.org  650-325-0691; Bhupen Mehta, bhupenmehta@yahoo.com 408-446-3982; Lata Patil, lata_p@hotmail.com, 650-941-4133

Admittance: $50 per person (partially tax-deductible, pay at the door)  

About ICA  For four decades Indians for Collective Action (ICA) has been a catalyst for social change in India.  Working largely through people of Indian origin who now reside in the US, ICA has addressed social, educational and environmental issues and has supported innovative community development projects in over 16 states of India. ICA has mentored and spawned such organizations as Asha for Education, and Foundation for Excellence (FFE). Website:  www.icaonline.org   email: ica@icaonline.org,