About Washington DC Chapter
Welcome to the ASEI-Washington DC Chapter website
Our vision is to create a network of Indian-American engineering, technical, and science professionals living in the US to provide a platform for networking, career advancement, community service, technology exchange, and to develop the next generation of scientists and engineers.
The American Society of Engineers of Indian Origin (ASEI) is an organization of engineers and technical professionals of Indian origin. ASEI was established in 1983 in Michigan, and is a non-profit organization (Tax ID # 38 -2468829). Since its inception in 1983, ASEI has strived to strengthen the Indo-American relationship, institute a channel of communication between technical organizations within the United States and abroad, lend a helping hand to charitable organizations, provide assistance to engineering students at the Local and National levels, and organize networking events.
Board Members
Vision, Mission & Purpose
Vision
To create a network of Indian-American engineering, technical, and science professionals living in the US to provide a platform for networking, career advancement, community service, technology exchange, and to develop the next generation of scientists and engineers.
Mission
To utilize the expertise and resources of the Indian-American community to:
1. Provide networking opportunities for professionals, students, and businesses by organizing meet-ups, networking, and panel discussions, mini conferences with key speakers from industry and academia.
2. Provide career guidance and mentoring to members and students.
3. Recognize outstanding engineers, students and entrepreneurs and provide student scholarships
4. Promote careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
5. Participate in humanitarian projects by partering with WHEELS foundation and other local charities to give back to communities in the USA and India.
6. Promote Indo-American relationship by Partnering with organizations like NCAIA, NFIA, Indian Embassy, State embassy, and other similar organizations.
7. Host annual national and local conventions to achieve ASEI vision
Purpose
To create a community among professionals and students to empower themselves and the worthy causes that need effort and attention.
Objectives
To create community among professionals and students in the fields of science, technology and engineering and math.
Achievements
ASEI is very proud of its legacy and achievements. Over the last several years, ASEI has transformed from a local grassroots organization into a national multi-tier organization across the United States. This phenomenal growth can only be attributed to its untiring efforts of its founders, its leadership, and the long-standing members. Since its founding, it has started chapters in Michigan, Washington DC, Southern California, San Diego, Seattle, and Silicon Valley and has attracted hundreds of members into its fold. These chapters in turn have successfully started student chapters affiliated with local colleges and universities. The following noteworthy achievements are listed below:
Held thirty plus National Conventions in its existence: promoting technology & exchange of knowledge.
Instituted scholarships for high school and college students and has awarded accolades and financial rewards to hundreds of students.
Partnered with corporations to recognize and award their employees through the Corporate Excellence Recognition Program (CERP).
Conducted technical webinars throughout the year to foster continuous learning and provide networking opportunities to its members at the chapter levels.
Recognized good standing members for their lifetime achievements, service excellence to ASEI, and excellence in science, engineering, and technology fields.
A Brief History of ASEI
The American Society of Engineers of Indian Origin (ASEI) was founded in Detroit, Michigan by Mr. Hari Bindal with the objective of exchanging and collaborating technologies between India and USA.
In 1983, Mr. Bindal contacted more than 50 engineers across US to obtain their consent by conducting a signature campaign and received some 150 signatures of approval. He then organized a meeting and after much deliberation, a resolution was passed to form an organization of engineers from India. On 5th May 1983, the name ‘American Society of Engineers from India – ASEI’ (the name was changed to American Society of Engineers of Indian Origin, retaining the acronym as ASEI, in 1992) was selected from the various names proposed by floor members. Some seed money was collected and an ad-hoc committee was formed to plan an inaugural meeting. ASEI was formally inaugurated on 9th September 1983 by Mr. Bagla, Minister for Economics, India in Washington DC.
The constitution and bylaws of ASEI was written by Mr. Navin Pandya, a renowned member from Detroit and was accepted and signed by twenty six (26) members who attended the preliminary meeting on May 5, 1983. These 26 members are called "Founding Members of ASEI". Soon after, Mr. Bindal and Dr. Hans Bajaria registered ASEI as a non-profit organization with the IRS under section 501(C) (6) as well with the state of Michigan. ASEI formally started operating as a business entity under the stewardship of Mr. Hari Bindal and the first ASEI Newsletter was published in 1983.
A contest was held to select a logo design that was representative of ASEI. The design ensemble of a dual Indo-American flags, a compass, a handshake with the slogan “Gyano Sarvopari" encircling the artwork was selected. This logo was replaced by the current logo in 1992 to strike a chord with the modern generation. Within in a short span of two years, ASEI membership swelled to over 400 members and several letters of commendation from all over USA and India were received lauding the effort.
ASEI held its first convention in August 1984 and the inception of awards and recognition of career achievements by members started at this convention. In 1985, ASEI conferred an Honorary Membership and ASEI Memoranda to Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi during his visit to the US. The following year, Mr. Bindal had to relocate from Detroit to Florida and the void that he left behind was ably filled by the collective leadership of Nirdosh and Asha Reddy, Noor Kapadia and Yogi Anand who successfully held annual conventions for the next eight years.
Mr. Bindal was a trail blazer and he left his mark wherever he went. When he relocated again from Florida to Washington DC, he established the National Capital Chapter in 1990 and hosted a convention that year. ASEI has held 32 hosted by the various chapters. During the process of establishment of the various chapters, Mr. Bindal instilled the ASEI Students Scholarship and Science Fair Award into the business plan.
With what started out as a simple thought of exchanging of technology between the US and India, ASEI’s organization vision has now expanded to facilitate for its members a platform for networking, performing community service, recognize outstanding achievements of its members, partner with other professional and social organizations to make a difference in this world.
