BURLINGTON, MA – The Burlington Marriott Grand Ballroom shimmered with elegance and anticipation on Saturday evening as more than 400 guests gathered for the 9th Annual New England Choice Awards (NECA) — a night that blended inspiration, intellect, artistry, and community in perfect harmony. (Photos: Cocoon Media)
Organized by INE MultiMedia, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, in collaboration with INDIA New England News, the sold-out black-tie gala once again affirmed its status as one of the region’s most prestigious celebrations of Indian American excellence across business, academia, medicine, law, philanthropy, and the arts.
A Night of Leadership and Legacy
The 2025 gala was headlined by Indra Nooyi, former Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo; Dr. L. Rafael Reif, 17th President of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); MIT Provost Anantha Chandrakasan; and Dr. Nitin Nohria, former Dean of Harvard Business School.
President Reif introduced Nooyi and presented her with the Lifetime Achievement Award 2025, honoring her extraordinary leadership and lasting influence on global business and social responsibility.
In a memorable highlight of the evening, Chandrakasan conducted a lively and insightful Q&A session with Nooyi, posing thoughtful questions that elicited responses both deeply reflective and delightfully humorous. The exchange—filled with warmth, candor, and wit—kept the audience spellbound, offering rare glimpses into Nooyi’s leadership philosophy and personal journey.
Nohria, a past NECA Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, presented categorical awards to this year’s honorees, while Leader Bank Founder and CEO Sushil Tuli presented the inaugural Legal & Justice Champion Award to Judge Neil Sherring, marking a new milestone in NECA’s commitment to honoring those who advance fairness and community impact.
Honoring Excellence Across Fields
The 2025 NECA honorees embodied the highest ideals of innovation, creativity, and service:
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Sanjay Sarma (MIT) – Academia & Innovation Award
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Shadaj (Rajesh Godbole) – Art & Culture Visionary Award
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Naveen Pawar, Co-founder, Mighty Squirrel – Business Luminary Award
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Dr. Anil Chandraker, MD – Healthcare Trailblazer Award
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Dr. Gopala Dwarakanath, MD – Legacy in Community Service Award
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New England Malayalee Association (NEMA) – Non-Profit Organization of the Year
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Judge Neil Sherring – Legal & Justice Champion Award
A Cultural Celebration that Dazzled
The evening’s artistic centerpiece—a mesmerizing Bharatanatyam and Kathak jugalbandi performed by Mitali Mukherjee and Diya Shenoy—drew thunderous applause. Their synchronized storytelling and rhythmic grace transported the audience into a world of tradition and modernity intertwined.
Adding to the magic, entrepreneur and singer Shirish Nimgaonkar—an IIT Bombay, Stanford, and Harvard alumnus—filled the ballroom with soulful melodies that bridged intellect and artistry, embodying NECA’s theme of excellence across disciplines.
The Visionaries Behind NECA 2025
Guiding the event’s success was a powerhouse organizing team whose leadership, creativity, and dedication have made NECA one of the most anticipated celebrations in New England:
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Anu Chitrapu – Senior Executive, Bank of America
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Upendra Mishra – Publisher, Filmmaker, and Marketing Strategist
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Dr. Mondira (Mandy) Pant – Senior Director, Intel Corporation
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Dr. Manju Sheth, MD – President, INE MultiMedia; Co-Founder, NECA
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Aditi Taylor – Executive Vice President, MFS Investment Management.
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Their shared vision—to celebrate and amplify stories of leadership, service, and innovation—once again illuminated the evening with purpose and pride.
Powered by Generosity and Community
The success of NECA 2025 was made possible through the generous support of sponsors and community partners who share its mission to uplift excellence and connection:
Presenting Sponsors:
Leader Bank, Chinmaya Mission Boston, Gourmet India, The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Asian American and Pacific Islanders Commission, Precise Marketing, and Women Who Win.
Community Sponsors and Supporters:
Cocoon Media, TaranOm Creations, SRAVEO, Events2Be, and Fotu Duniya.
A Night to Remember
As the lights glowed softly over the elegantly dressed guests, the atmosphere was filled with warmth, admiration, and pride. The evening was more than an awards gala—it was a reflection of community spirit and the power of shared purpose.
From the laughter echoing during Nooyi’s conversation with Chandrakasan to the standing ovation that followed the dance jugalbandi, the 9th Annual New England Choice Awards was a celebration that will be remembered as much for its inspiration as for its joy.
As the applause faded and guests lingered in conversation, one message resonated clearly: NECA is not just about recognizing success—it is about defining legacy, leadership, and belonging.
