New South Asian networking group

NetIP Austin board members Utpal Shah, Hemal Nagarsheth, Pinki Modi, Sumina Bhatti and Sonia Kotecha.

August 23, 2009 | Yvonne Lim Wilson

It was an evening of lively conversation and connections at the NetIP mixer on July 16 at J. Blacks Feel Good Lounge on Sixth Street.

The Austin chapter of NetIP, the Network of Indian Professionals, was chartered in April 2009 and has already held monthly dinner parties, mixers, a boat party and a Bollywood trivia night. While the name says “Indian,” the group includes South Asians and is open for anyone, including non-South Asians, to join.

At the mixer was Sharon Abraham, one of about twenty who attended. Abraham, who is Indian, had recently moved from Houston and was eager to meet other South Asians in Austin.

“I’m just hoping to find that cultural bond. I don’t know where to go to meet other Indians,” Abraham said.

Having a social networking group for South Asians was something Sonia Kotecha felt was sorely needed in Austin. While Kotecha is a native Austinite, she has lived in several different cities in the U.S. Each time she moved, she found she could connect with a local NetIP to make new friends.

“I wanted to have that here in Austin. That was missing, and that was my passion to create that here,” Kotecha said. “I love the networking. I love connecting people.”

Most South Asian organizations in Austin are more family oriented and geared toward first generation immigrants, Kotecha said. NetIP focuses on young professionals in the 24 to 40 age group, both with and without children, and many are second generation.

While networking is a major part of the organization, the mission of NetIP also takes in the broader picture to make a lasting impact in the community at large.

NetIP is founded upon four pillars: community service, professional development, political awareness and cultural awareness. All chapters must incorporate these four pillars into their operations.

NetIP Austin has sponsored a community service project to recycle computers and has also hosted a professional development seminar about attending graduate school. A recent boat party connected NetIP Austin members with members in Houston and Dallas chapters.

Amaresh Mirwani knows what it takes to start up a group like this. Mirwani serves on the Austin board and was a co-founder of the NetIP in Phoenix.

“If you look at the demographics, it’s a win-win situation,” he said. “Indians are always moving … when someone moves, they want to get involved with the community and make friends. We can provide that opportunity. We can leverage the national chapter and help our community indirectly”

Kotecha said the long-term goal for NetIP Austin is to become a “one-stop shop” for South Asians to make connections, get involved in the community and find educational opportunities as well. It looks as if NetIP is off to a beautiful start.

To find out more about NetIP Austin, visit http://www.netipaustin.org/

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