SANTA CLARA, Calif., Sept. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- The American India Foundation (AIF) is preparing to roll out the red carpet to host its 3rd annual Fall Benefit Gala in San Francisco on Saturday, September 23, 2006. Titled Bow Ties & Bangles, this black-tie event at the Westin St. Francis Hotel will feature a cocktail reception, gourmet dinner and lively entertainment. With the goal of raising $1.5 million, proceeds from the Gala will go towards furthering AIF's three pillars of development work in India: Education, Livelihood and Public Health. In addition, the Fall Benefit Gala will commemorate AIF's five years of accomplishment towards social and economic development in India.

"In the last five years we have enjoyed the support of an incredible Diaspora and world leaders such as Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen and President Bill Clinton, all of whom believe in our vision of creating a platform for philanthropy to address the inequalities faced by marginalized Indians," says AIF President Lata Krishnan.

This year AIF will honor two individuals for their leadership, entrepreneurial endeavors and deep commitment to corporate social responsibility in India. The 2006 AIF-U.S. Leadership Award honoree is Paul Otellini, President and CEO of Intel Corporation. The award is in recognition of Mr. Otellini's leadership role in technology and Intel's commitment to enhance the lives of India's population who would benefit from technology, but have not found it within their reach.

"It's an honor to receive this award for Intel's work bridging the digital divide in India," said Otellini. "By multiplying the effects of computers, Internet and education, Intel hopes to greatly accelerate the reach of technology's benefits across India in the next five years."

The 2006 AIF-India Leadership Award honoree is Nandan Nilekani, CEO of Infosys Technologies Ltd. The award is in recognition of Mr. Nilekani's continued commitment to further Infosys's philanthropic efforts in India.

"The future success of India depends on Indian companies ensuring very high corporate governance standards and being strong corporate citizens," said Nandan Nilekani, CEO and Managing Director, Infosys Technologies Ltd. "At Infosys, we strive to do both and I am honored to accept this award from AIF on behalf of Infosys."

Hollywood producer Ashok Amritraj, along with noted Silicon Valley venture capitalists Vinod Khosla and Bill Draper, serve as Gala Chairs.

Channel One anchor and correspondent Gotham Chopra will serve as Master of Ceremonies. The evening will conclude with lively entertainment, DJ and dancing.

Past guests of AIF galas have included President Bill Clinton, Senator Hillary Clinton, Deepak Chopra, Heather Graham, Richard Gere, A.R. Rahman and Gloria Steinem.

Past honorees of AIF galas have included Ramalinga Raju of Satyam, Kumar Malavalli of InMage Systems, Ajay Shah of Shah Capital Partners, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw of Biocon, Hector de J. Ruiz of Advanced Micro Devices, Sir Deryck Maughan of Citigroup International, K.V. Kamath of ICICI Bank, Charles R. Kaye of Warburg Pincus, Sunil Bharti Mittal of Mittal Enterprises and Anshu Jain of Deutsche Bank.

Details on table sponsorships and contribution levels can be found at www.aifgala.org. To purchase tickets, tables and for sponsorship information, please contact Michele Rayner: Michele.Rayner@aifoundation.org / (408) 970- 9707 x 0. For media passes and interviews, please contact Mythili Sankaran: Mythili.Sankaran@aifoundation.org / (408) 970-9707 x 1 or Kavya Rajan: kavya@aifoundation.org / (646) 530-8964.

Images and interviews available upon request.

About AIF

The American India Foundation (AIF) is a non-profit foundation charged with the mission of accelerating social and economic change in India. AIF mobilizes people and resources across the United States for its three pillars of development work in India: Education, Livelihood, and Public Health. AIF was formed in 2001 under the leadership of President Bill Clinton, who continues to serves as Honorary Chair.

    PRESS CONTACTS

    Mythili Sankaran (California)
    West Coast Regional Director and DE Director
    Mythili.Sankaran@aifoundation.org / (408) 970-9707 x 1

    Kavya Rajan (New York)
    Director of Communications
    kavya@aifoundation.org / (646) 530-8964

    American India Foundation
    5201 Great America Parkway
    Suite 526
    Santa Clara, CA 95054

    http://www.AIFoundation.org