On Wednesday, the Indiana India Business Council (IIBC) recognized Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard with the prestigious Indiana Ratna (Jewel of Indiana) award at IIBC’s fifth annual gala.
IIBC Founder and President and member of the Mayor’s Advisory Commission on Human Relations Raju Chinthala said, “Mayor Jim Brainard has had an extraordinary tenure, redefining and reimagining the city of Carmel.”
The Indiana Ratna award was given to Mayor Brainard for his significant contributions towards “strengthening cultural, educational, political, social and economic ties and his profound impact in both Indiana and India during his seven terms as Carmel’s Mayor.”
City of Carmel staff and commission members were there to support Mayor Brainard. (Seated from left) Jessica Beer, Mayor’s Advisory Commission on Human Relations; Nancy Heck, Director of Community Relations & Economic Development; Ming Ye, President of the Carmel-Xiangyang Sister City Committee; and Ed Plavchak, President of the Carmel-Cortona Sister City Committee. (Standing, from left) Michael Griffith, husband of Jessica Beer; Mike Hollibaugh, Director of the Department of Community Services; Kate Lustig, Project Manager, Community Relations & Economic Development; John Moriarty, Division Chief, Carmel Fire Department; David Haboush, Chief, Carmel Fire Department; Jim Crider, Director of Administration; Mayor Jim Brainard; Andris Berzins, Honorary Consul of Latvia to the State of Indiana & President of the Carmel-Jelgava Sister City Committee; and Kwan Hui, Mayor’s Advisory Commission on Human Relations. (Photo provided by City of Carmel)