SPECIAL ISSUE

Dinesh Gandhi who specializes in PR practice

Dinesh Gandhi.

By J.V. Lakshmana Rao

Chicago: Dinesh Gandhi, director-commercial hospitality finance of National Republic Bank of Chicago, is a practicing public relations specialist. Throughout his career spanning over 35 years, he has worked and volunteered to help various commercial business houses and service organizations like temples and associations.
His association with India Tribune dates backs to even before its launching and its inception in 1977. He worked as official PR man of the newspaper till 1980 when he started his own business — International Export House in Chicago and also opened Point South Motel in South Carolina, and Master Host Inn in Nashville, TN. However, he continues to be an advisor to India Tribune.
With a pleasing and friendly disposition, Dinesh Gandhi is an excellent business promoter and able organizer. He can make friends easily and retain them as such for the life. Given a task to promote a new organization, Dinesh Gandhi plans meticulously and works diligently to see to it that the organization succeeds and the results are achieved.
As director of National Republic Bank of Chicago he has been responsible for its business expansion specially in the hospitality finances. In fact, he is very popular with the owners of hotels and motels. He can help them plan a sinking hotel or motel to turn it into a profit-making business. In the process he has helped many such people. His banking position has come handy in both helping the businessmen and the National Republic Bank of Chicago.
Subsequently he also became owner and administrator of Lakeside Nursing Home and Uptown Nursing Home in Chicago, in 1981. Holding these businesses, he also chose to be director of commercial hospitality finance of National Republic Bank of Chicago. Under his directorship, the bank expanded it business in financing commercial hospitality houses like hotels and motels.
Dinesh Gandhi’s PR work and his rapport with AAHOA members have been mutually beneficial to the National Republic Bank of Chicago and the owners of hotels and motels.
He acquired these skills with his educational background. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics, a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering and an MBA in marketing. Armed with two bachelor degrees and one master’s degree, he tackles with ease any typical financial or business proposition. His PR skills are of a great advantage to him.
He is well connected with several public institutions for which he renders public services. He received many awards for his services. He was a recipient of 504 Leader of Year Award — 2006 from Somercor 504, Inc., — a division of Small Business administration.
He has been a member of City of Chicago-Delhi Sister City Committee. He received special appreciation award from Indian Medical Associa-tion of Illinois. He also received Mahatma Gandhi Award from Gandhi Memorial Trust. He was an honored guest BAPS Mandir Mahotsav in 2004, and received blessings from Shri Pramukh Swami Maharaj. For his exceptional contribution and outstanding citizenship, Dinesh Gandhi was honored by Mayor Richard M. Daley in 2004.
Dinesh Gandhi was the president of Care & Share USA International, a non-profit organization. He sponsored “Independent Hotelier Workshop” at Nashville, TN, in 2002.
With AAHOA partnership, Dinesh Gandhi coordinated to raise $100,000 and worked to provide free hotel accommodation and rooms in North America for government agencies and fire fighters’ association in 2002.
As a key coordinator of American India Foundation, he raised more than $250,000 for 9/11 victims of New York, and for the victims of Gujarat earthquake. This was done with the help of President Bill Clinton in 2001.
As a volunteer, he has been sponsoring and arranging fundraising projects for the Jain temple in Chicago.
As a committed volunteer, he works with organizations like Gayatri Temple, BAPS Sanstha, Care & Share USA International, AAHOA, NFIA, and AAPI. He is instrumental in bringing AAHOA - Youth Convention to Chicago in 1998 and successful merger of IAHA and AAHOA in 1994.
Among other awards he received were 2002 President’s Award of Gandhi Samaj of Chicago for outstanding community service; and Outstand-ing Community Service Award for helping in building “Chicago Township” for victims of Kutch-Bhuj-Gujarat earthquake (presented by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi); and the Businessman of the Year Award – 1979 from Consulate of India in Chicago.
Dinesh Gandhi was born in 1949 in Navsari, Gujarat. He emigrated to the US in 1970.
He is married to Indira Gandhi and has two daughters and one son.

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