INDIANAPOLIS: Indiana India Business Council Board on Wednesday honored Christel House International Founder and CEO, Christel DeHaan, with the inaugural “Indiana Ratna” (Jewel of Indiana) award. The award was presented at the 1st Annual “Indiana India Celebrating Our Impact” Gala at Indiana Roof Ballroom, 140 W Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204.
“Indiana Ratna’ is the highest award bestowed by Board members of Indiana India Business Council to individuals who have contributed significantly towards strengthening cultural, educational, political, social and economic ties and have helped make a profound impact in both Indiana and India, to show the world how much we value their actions. Christel DeHaan earned the distinction of getting the inaugural award. It will now be an annual feature.
Christel House is successfully running schools in India — in Bengaluru and Naya Raipur. Ninty two per cent of Christel House India – Bengaluru graduates continue education, are working or both.
Christel House India opened a new school in Naya Raipur on August 16, 2016 with 209 students– Grades K-3 (adding one grade per year up to Grade 12).
After the guests took their seats, the programme began with Indian National Anthem by Janvi Bhatia and Rhea Bhatia of Carmel High School.
Welcome greetings by Indiana India Business Council Board Founder and President Raju Chinthala followed by welcome remarks by City of Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett. Mr Gregory A Ballard, former Indianapolis Mayor and chairman, Board of Directors Indiana India Business Council addressed the guests.
Mr Jim Morris, vice chairman, Pacers Sports and Entertainment presented the Indiana Ratan Award to Christel DeHaan. Congresswoman Susan Brooks, India Association of Indianapolis chairman Bharat Patel, Indiana Economic Development Corporation president Elaine Bedel and Christel House of India Jaison Mathew were among those who spoke on the occasion.
A standing ovation was given to Christel DeHaan for her valuable contributions.
Abhinav Singh, Amudhan and Abirami (One World One Sound” Band) enthralled the guests with popular Hindi songs. Bharat Patel, chairman an CEO, Sun Companies, also entertained the guests by singing Hindi songs.
Originally from Germany, Christel DeHaan emigrated to the USA in 1962. She is an accomplished businesswoman, community leader and philanthropist. As co-founder of Resort Condominiums International (RCI), she is widely known for her contributions to the travel and tourism industry. Under her leadership, RCI grew into a global enterprise with offices in 38 countries. She sold RCI in 1996, and since that time has devoted her time, energy and financial resources to philanthropy.
A proponent of social responsibility, Christel founded Christel House International in 1998 as a way to deploy her resources and business skills to cause transformation and intergenerational change. The Christel House locations were selected as her way of giving back to countries that played a significant role in her commercial success.
To care, to share, to make a difference is the philosophy of Christel DeHaan .
