Category: Community

Mr. Ramesh Patel, 78, the Chairman of The Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, and a veteran Indian American community leader has died of Covid-19 on Sunday, June 6th, 2020, a deadly pandemic that has consumed over 100,000 people’s lives in the United States.  He was under treatment for Covid-10 complications for over two months.

Mr. Patel was the proud recipient of prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor and many other National and International recognitions.  Mr. Patel is survived by his wife Suchetaben, his son, Dr. Suvash Patel, Daughers, Manisha and Kunjal, and their families.

India’s Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu expressed condolences on the death of Patel. “Very sad to learn about the passing away of Ramesh Patel, the Founder Member and Chairperson of Federation of Indian Associations (FIA), after 2 month long fight against COVID-19. A highly respected Indian American Community leader, we will miss him very much. RIP!” Sandhu tweeted.

India’s Consul General in New York Sandeep Chakravorty tweeted that Patel’s death is a “big loss to the Indian American community.” “A pioneer who brought together the Community & worked on many issues. I particularly value his strong support to the Consulate,” Chakravorty tweeted.

In a condolence message sent to the Indian American community, announcing the passing away of Mr. Patel, Mr. Anil Bansal, the current President of FIA, said, “The loss of the effervescent Mr. Patel who is a doyen of the Indian American community and a man of many skills, is irreplaceable. The Founder of FIA, Mr. Patel has been the face of the organization since it was formed in 1970. In his death, we have a lost a great leader, pioneer, visionary and community leader who had dedicated his entire life for the Diaspora.”

“We as the members of the Indian community have lost a great visionary, who has been the pioneering community leader who was instrumental in bringing all the communities of Indian origin in the US together under one organization that has become the face of the Indian Diaspora,” Mr. Bansal added.

Mr. Patel has grown with the expansion of FIA, just as this organization has grown with him as he led FIA to newer heights. He was responsible for rendering this most important organization of the Indian Diaspora to be among the largest umbrella organization representing over 500,000 Indian Americans in the tristate region.

It was his initiatives after the visit of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to the United States in the 1970’s that gave birth to FIA and the many accomplishments that this great organization is proud of today.

In 1970, a group of Indian-Americans led by Mr. Patel decided to form the Federation of Indian Associations in order to showcase India’s culture and history to the U.S., something that simultaneously allowed them to keep in touch with their roots and to bring them closer to each other and to India. FIA was founded with the goal of enhancing and promoting the rich culture and traditional values of the motherland and to achieve this goal the FIA,  the largest, non-profit umbrella organization in the tri-state area, was formed.

10 years later in 1981, FIA finally got a permit to host the first India Day Parade in New York City on Madison Avenue. There was only one float and around 100 people in the parade. Zubin Mehta was the Grand Marshall, along with the then Indian Ambassador to the US, Mr. K R Narayanan.

Thanks to community leaders such as Mr. Patel, FIA has a very illustrious and inspiring track record of the largest celebration of India’s Independence Day anywhere in the world. It has attracted thousands of spectators from the tri-state area and other states, representing a spectrum of diversified ethnicities of people,

The India Day Parade in New York has become the stellar milestone event celebrated to mark the Indian Independence Day. Mr. Patel emphasized the fact that FIA along with the celebrations of Indian Independence and Republic Day is also at the forefront in addressing and fighting for burning community issues like immigration, domestic injustice, discrimination, bias and hate crimes etc.

In the very beginning these celebrations were held in school and university auditoriums and finally in the 1981, FIA was able to get a permit to hold the first India Day Parade on Madison Avenue between 56th and 23rd Streets and thereafter got permission to hold it each year on the Sunday closest to Aug. 15.

As the head of one of the joint forensic sciences departments, Mr. Patel reflected in brief on how the parade as an event has evolved and how the support from the community needs to grow to further the outreach and grandeur of the parade festivities.  It is the only event in New York City that showcases India’s glory on a large scale.

A man who was recognized and was invited to meet and dine with almost every Prime Minister of India, diplomats and the US Senators and Congressmen in the past four decades, Mr. Patel advocated strongly for stronger cooperation between the world’s largest and greatest democracies. He had advocated for the India’s Nuclear Deal with the US and worked hard with the Senators and Congressmen to speak for India and the concerns of the Diaspora.

Mr. Patel had initiated the efforts to have the iconic Empire State Building lit in tricolor in celebration of Diwali and India’s Independence Day. The tower lights up with millions of festive lights in Orange, the color of the Diya or the lamp and cast a beautiful hue across the night sky of New York City spreading the message of oneness in celebrating the victory of good over evil.

In addition to organizing the largest Indian Day Parade in the world celebrating India’s Freedom, Mr. Patel was instrumental in imitating several noble initiatives for the wellbeing of the Indian American Community. He was in the forefront to voice our concerns to the US government and be the spokesperson for us.

Mr. Patel was instrumental in hosting the first ever First Indian Visa Camp in New Jersey, March 2015, spearheading the initiative to address problems Indian-Americans face to go through the consular process for visas and other documentation needed,

Mr. Patel served as President of the National Federation of Indian American Associations (NFIA) from 1992 to 1996 and as its Chairman from 1996 to 1998. While serving as President of FIA (1988-1990), Patel assisted in the NFIA organized First Global Convention of People of Indian Origin, held in New York in 1989, where Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) was formed.

Mr. Patel adored FIA and was elected President of FIA in 1988 and 1989. He served as the President of NFIA, and as the Chairman and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of FIA, until he breathed his last.

Vandana Sharma who had worked in USA as Regional Manager USA & Canada and is now in Delhi serving as the Deputy General Manager Commercial for Air India, said, “Ramesh Bhai was a vocal supporter and true friend of Air India. As Air Indiais the bridge between the land of birth and the land of karm, Ramesh Bhai valued the importance of sustaining and strengthening this bridge for the well being of the Indian American community. I am grateful for his staunch support to Air India and Air Indians. Today his energizing voice is silent. Today his contagious enthusiasm, his animated persona,  his laughing visage- have been stilled. His work to foster unity and harmony amidst celebration of cultural diversity will go on. His place in our hearts, will live on. Memories will overtime become a comforting blanket to guide and comfort those who live on.”

Mrs. Chitra Sarkar, Retired Executive Director Air India. Who has known Mr. Patel during her tenure in New York, said, “I’m deeply saddened to hear that Ramesh Bhai lost his courageous battle against the Corona virus. We will miss him very much, both personally and as Air Indians. Ramesh Bhai was on a mission for the good of India and the Indian American community – he had dedicated his life to this cause, and succeeded at it so well. It will be difficult to find another father-figure like him. We pray for the peace of his soul. Please take good care of your health in this hour of grief.”

Seema Andhare who was Air India’s Regional Director USA & Canada. And now living in Pune, India, said in a message, “I’m saddened by this news and most because of a prolonged suffering due Covid virus. I remember him as a most energetic sincere personality. He always had a soft spot for us all at Air India and found time to chat with me whenever he could despite being a busy person with numerous Indian community events. Like you said he remembered names and never failed to acknowledge us past RDs by name whenever the occasion arose.  He was large hearted and gracious and had the requisite personality to carry his community members forward – lending guidance and a helping hand. I last met him about 2 years back when I was in NYC and we had nice talk reminiscing about our earlier interactions when I was posted there.”

Mr. Andy Bhatia, Past President of FIA and a current BOT Member, described Mr. Patel as “one of a kind, who had dedicated his life for the betterment of his fellow human beings and especially the Indian American community. His dedication to serve the community will never be forgotten. His legacy will live on. He leaves behind a young and dedicated team that will carry on his work in serving the community. As a visionary, Mr. “Patel had mentored and groomed many of our young men and women for leadership roles. They all called him ‘Kakka’ affectionately and Suchita’Kakki’. We mourn his loss but the best tribute we can pay to him is to celebrate his life- a well lived life in service of others,” Mr. Andy Bhatia added.

Mr. Bhatia, while describing him as “a very good friend of Air India. There is 14 days morning period and Zoom prayers  are being held every night at 9 pm for next two weeks for the departed soul. He was one of a kind and dedicated his life for the well-being of Indian community. I remember he used to tell people at gatherings to fly AI so that the money goes to the airline of mother India.”

NFIA President Angela Anand said, “NFIA family is saddened to learn the passing away of Ramesh Patel, a fixture of India Independence Day parade on the streets of New York with film personalities as parade marshal with lot of pomp and show,”

 “His legacy will live on and his contributions to India and Indian Americans of this country will be remembered for a long time to come – a vacuum requiring dedication by several which he did year after year with little help from others in fund raising to make the event successful, “ Mr. Anand added.

 GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham said, “Ramesh should be credited with highly successful India Day Parade in New York City, year after year, from the late 1980s. There are only very few community leaders in the USA who have over forty years of continuous community service and we will miss him in our community campaign and service activities,” Dr. Abraham added.

Calling Mr. Rameshbhai Patel as “a very visionary dynamic veteran community leader with a distinguished track record of community service for 55 years,” Mr. Chandrakant Trivedi, a member of FIA’s BOT said, “He was the champion of community causes. He was the pillar of Indian American Community and a very bold leader. He was a great patriot and was loved by his vast circle of friends all over the world. He fought with authorizes for the sake of the Indian American community and advocated for Simpson Mazoli Immigration Bill, Dot Buster, and to deny military weapons to Pakistan that were often used to undermine India.”

Ms. Indu Jaiswal, Chairperson of Indian American Forum Inc,. said in a  message: “We are extremely sad to hear the news of passing away of Mr Ramesh Patel. He and his family are well known in the Tri state area for their leadership, support and contributions.  We express our condolences to their families. Please keep them in your prayers. Our prayers, condolences and sympathies are for the family.”

To pay homage and pray for his dep0arted soul, a Drive By Viewing has been planned for Thursday, June 11th from 4 to 8 pm.

 “In his death, we have a lost a great leader, pioneer, visionary and community leader who has dedicated his entire life for the Diaspora. I want express my sincere condolences to Mr. Patels’s family and all of his dear ones,” Mr. Anil Bansal, President of FIA, added.

The vandalisation of Mahatma Gandhi’s statue in Washington DC is disrespectful and such incidents do not bring people together, top US lawmakers have said.

The statue, which is across the road from the Indian Embassy, was vandalised with graffiti and spray painting on Wednesday, prompting the mission to register a complaint with the local law enforcement agencies.

The incident happened during the week of nationwide protests against the custodial killing of African-American George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25. The incident is reported to have taken place on the intervening night of June 2 and 3, officials said.

It was an appalling low point in the gross vandalism, looting and arson that accompanied nationwide protests in the wake of the murder of George Floyd: the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, in Washington, DC, was desecrated with graffiti and spray paint by unidentified miscreants, earlier this week.

The mindless vandalism of the statue drew widespread condemnation, including from the Trump campaign, who termed it “very disappointing”. The State Department said: “We condemn this disrespectful act and are working with the relevant authorities and the Embassy of India to rectify the situation.” The US Ambassador to India Ken Juster apologized, tweeting, “So sorry to see the desecration of the Gandhi statue in Wash, DC. Please accept our sincere apologies.”

“More evidence that violent radicals and run of the mill crazies have hijacked legitimate protests to create anarchy or for their own purposes,” Senator Marco Rubio said on Thursday.

“It’s disgraceful to see the defacing of the Gandhi statue in DC,” North Carolina Senator Tom Tillis said. “Gandhi was a pioneer of peaceful protesting, demonstrating the great change it can bring. Rioting, looting and vandalizing do not bring us together, he said.

“It is sad to learn that the statue of greatest apostolate of Peace, Gandhiji in Washington, DC was vandalized last night, a person who stood for peace, racial harmony and equality in the world,” said Dr. Sampat Shivangi, President Indo-American Political Forum, Inc, and a veteran leader of AAPI.

An Indian Embassy spokesperson has said,” Mahatma Gandhi statue at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Plaza in front of the Embassy was vandalized with graffiti/spray paint by unknown persons during the late hours of Tuesday, 2 June, 2020.”

“The embassy has taken up the matter with the US Department of State for early investigation into the matter, as also with the Metropolitan Police and National Park Service,” the spokesperson said.

The embassy is working with the US Department of State, Metropolitan Police and National Park Service for expeditious restoration of the statue at the park.

According to the Indian Embassy website, the sculpture of Mahatma Gandhi is cast in bronze as a statue to a height of 8 feet 8 inches. It shows Gandhi in stride, as a leader and man of action evoking memories of his 1930 protest march against salt-tax, and the many padyatras (long marches) he undertook throughout the length and breadth of the Indian sub-continent.

Since its inception in 2000, the beloved statue of the Apostle of Peace, installed on a triangular island along Massachusetts Avenue, in front of the Embassy of India, is garlanded and honored every year by the Indian Ambassador to the US, on Gandhi’s birth anniversary, on October 2^nd.

Devotional songs are sung; community members flock to it. The day earmarks a quiet celebration of the Mahatma’s extraordinary life and legacy that touched millions of people around the world; made a huge difference in dozens of freedom struggle and peace movements, including here in the US.

The statue, designed by Kolkata sculptor Gautam Pal, was a gift from the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, and was dedicated on September 16, 2000, during a state visit of Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the presence of President Bill Clinton, according to Wikipedia.

The 2.64 m bronze statue depicts Gandhi in ascetic garb, in reference to his famous 1930 salt march. It’s mounted on a 16-ton plinth of ruby granite from Ilkal, Karnataka, standing in a circular plaza of gray granite pavers. Behind it are three slabs of Karnataka red granite with inscriptions honoring Gandhi’s memory, and in front of it is a seat also of red granite. The statue bears an inscription with Gandhi’s answer to a journalist who asked for his message to the world: “My life is my message.”

While Gandhi never visited the US, his influence on the peace movement here was huge, and striking his statue is akin to defacing a statue of Martin Luther King Jr.

Charles C. Walker, writing in MKGandhi.org, noted Gandhi’s influence on the peace movement in the US was felt as early as the 1920s. An early and effective exponent of Gandhi’s ideas here was John Haynes Holmes, a prominent Unitarian minister and reformer, and an outspoken pacifist in World War I. He first set forth his discovery of Gandhi in a sermon titled “The Christ of Today” which was widely circulated. In another sermon in 1922 called “Who is the Greatest Man in the World Today?” his designation of Gandhi amazed many listeners, most of whom had never heard the name before.

Walker wrote that Reinhold Niebuhr, an influential figure in religious circles and in movements for social justice, as far back as 1932 urged American Negroes to adopt satyagraha in the struggle for racial justice.

In the magazine The World Tomorrow (1934), Cranston Clayton argued that Gandhian methods were especially appropriate to the American scene and were necessary as a stage beyond the traditional methods of persuasion and education. It was not until two decades later that this idea began to flower in the civil rights movement.

Indian historian Ramachandra Guha, writing in the Wall Street Journal, last year, which was also the 150^th birth anniversary of the Mahatma, noted that Gandhi’s struggle in India was widely reported in the African-American press. Thinkers such as W.E.B. Du Bois and E. Franklin Frazier wrote about him, and several influential African-Americans visited him to seek advice, including Howard Thurman, later a mentor to Martin Luther King, Jr.

Thurman wrote of how he had been subjected to an intense examination by the Indian leader: “persistent, pragmatic questions about American Negroes, about the course of slavery, and how we had survived it.” As Thurman prepared to leave, Gandhi offered him this hopeful prediction, wrote Guha: “It may be through the Negroes that the unadulterated message of nonviolence will be delivered to the world.”

The philosophy and inspiration life story of Gandhi was taken up by King, is noted by Bloomberg columnist Mihir Sharma, who this week, wrote that “When Americans debate non-violent protest in moral terms, they miss the point. It is not a purely moral question; it is about both morality and tactics. Gandhi and King were politicians who recognized that they needed to create demonstrations of will and also of moral superiority if they wanted to change minds. Choosing violence instead, they argued, would only justify – in the oppressors’ minds – further repression.”

Obviously, the violent protesters who vent their anger on the statue, never came close to understanding that. Those protesters, who never might have heard of President Obama’s wish to dine with Gandhi, when asked the one person in history he would like to do so, might well heed the words of Georgia Rep. John Lewis, a civil rights movement leader, who said: “Rioting,

Two Indian Americans, Chandrika Tandon and Ram Shriram are among the 93 honorees to be honored at the 35^th annual group of 2020 Ellis Island Medals of Honor recipients

According to the NECO website, “the Ellis Island Medals of Honor embody the spirit of America in their celebration of patriotism, tolerance, brotherhood and diversity. They recognize individuals who have made it their mission to share with those less fortunate their wealth of knowledge, indomitable courage, boundless compassion, unique talents and selfless generosity; all while maintaining the traditions of their ethnic heritage as they uphold the ideals and spirit of America. As always, NECO remains dedicated to the maintenance and restoration of America’s greatest symbol of its immigrant history, Ellis Island.”

“The Ellis Island Medals of Honor embody the spirit of America in their salute to tolerance, brotherhood, diversity and patriotism,” said the organization in a press statement. “Honorees may be native-born or naturalized, but most importantly, they are individuals who have made it their mission to share their wealth of knowledge, indomitable courage, boundless compassion, unique talents and selfless generosity with those less fortunate.”

Chandrika Tandon is a business leader, Grammy-nominated artist and humanitarian. Composer and vocalist, CHANDRIKA, has been trained by masters in Hindustani, Carnatic, and Western Traditions. Her album – Soul Call – topped world music charts, garnering great acclaim, and earning a Grammy nomination. All four of her albums were released under her not-for-profit label, Soul Chants Music.

A graduate of the Madras Christian College and the Indian Institute of Management, Tandon is chairperson of Tandon Capital Associates and a member of the board of directors at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and the Berklee Presidential Advisory Council of the Berklee College of Music, according to her bio.

Tandon is also the vice-chairman of the board of trustees at New York University, chair of the President’s Global Council, and chair of the board of the Tandon School of Engineering, which she brought the naming rights to in 2014 for $100 Million. She also serves on the boards of the NYU Stern School of Business and the NYU Langone Health System.

Chandrika is a recognized leader in the worlds of business, education, and the arts, dedicated to public service. In addition to being founder and head of her financial advisory firm, she is a member of the Board of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and the Berklee School of Music’s President’s Council. Additionally, the Berklee Tandon Global Clinics connect world-class music faculty from the US to other countries. At New York University, she is Vice-Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Chair of the President’s Global Council, Chair of the Board of the NYU Tandon School of Engineering, and she serves on the Boards of the NYU Stern School of Business and the NYU Langone Health System.

Chandrika has received several awards for integrity and leadership – the Gallatin Medal, New York University’s highest honor for outstanding contributions to society; the Walter Nichols Medal for leadership and integrity; and the Polytechnic Medal, recognizing her involvement in science and engineering. In recognition of her efforts on behalf of higher education, she was inducted as a Sterling Fellow at Yale and into the Harold Acton Society of New York University. She was named an Inaugural Distinguished Alumnus of both the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad and Madras Christian College – her two alma maters. Chandrika is Chair of the Krishnamurthy Tandon Foundation.

Shriram is a billionaire businessman. He is a founding board member and one of the first investors in Google, his bio notes. He earlier served as an officer of Amazon.com working for Jeff Bezos. Shriram came to Amazon in August 1998 when Amazon acquired Junglee, an online comparison-shopping firm of which Shriram was president.

Before Junglee and Amazon, Shriram was a member of the Netscape executive team, joining them in 1994, before they shipped products or posted revenue, the bio said. Shriram earned a degree at Loyola College Chennai and the University of Madras.

Shriram was born in the port city of Chennai, which is located on the Bay of Bengal on the southeast coast of India. The city, once known as Madras, was renamed after India won its independence from Britain in 1947.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in commerce from the University of Madras in 1977.

After graduating, Shriram moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he worked for Bell-Northern Research and its sister company Nortel Networks Corp. In 1983, the job brought him to Silicon Valley.

Shriram became a vice president of Netscape Communications Corp. in 1994, the year the web browser company was founded. (It was acquired by America Online – AOL – in 1998 and later disbanded.)

In 1998, Shriram became president and chief operating officer of Junglee Corp., a Sunnyvale startup whose search engine – developed by former Stanford computer scientists – allowed online comparison shopping.

Later that same year, online retailing giant Amazon bought Junglee. Shriram became vice president of business development at Amazon, working for company founder, Jeff Bezos. Shriram left Amazon in January 2000 to start Sherpalo.

Shriram is a founding board member of Google Inc., which two former Stanford students – Larry Page and Sergey Brin – started in 1998, and 24/7customer.com, which provides business process outsourcing from Asian call centers.

He is married to Vidjealatchoumy “Vijay” Shriram, and the couple has two daughters, both of whom are students at Stanford.

The couple has served on Stanford’s Parents Advisory Board since 2006. In addition to various philanthropic programs in India, they have endowed the Shriram Family Professorship in Science Education in Stanford’s School of Education.

 “Our recipients are the leaders taking our nation powerfully into the 21st century. They are the innovators and visionaries who are defining their generation and shaping our future. They also respect the value of their ethnic heritage and appreciate the importance of America’s immigrant history,” it says on the website, www.eihonors.org.

The Ellis Island Honor Society chair Nasser J. Kazeminy said in a statement that the honorees will be recognized at a formal gala, though it has been indefinitely postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The allergy and immunology world has lost a treasured colleague on March 27th with the passing of Chitra Dinakar, MD, FACAAI. Chitra Dinakar, who was a physician at Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City and later, Stanford University passed away on Mar 27th. A sparkling bundle of energy and intellect with an unwavering true north, her award winning contributions to allergy and immunology had a tremendous influence on innumerable patients, mentees and colleagues. She was a champion sprinter and a talented dancer. Her light continues to shine bright in her sons Akshay and Bhavish, and her husband, siblings and parents take immense pride in her spectacular life. Chitra’s Visitation and Funeral Services were held on March 31st in her hometown, Saratoga, California.

“Chitra succumbed to her illness today. Thank you so much for championing her. She really appreciated your support for her,” wrote Dinakar, Chitra’s husband in a message sent to Dr. Joseph Chalil, publisher of THEUNN.COM. On behalf of the entire Team at THEUNN and our esteemed readers, we want to express our sincere condolences and prayerful wishes to Chitra’s family.

Dr. Dinakar was a Clinical Professor of Medicine at Stanford University in California, and Clinical Chief of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology at Stanford Health Care. Prior appointments included Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and Director of the Food Allergy Center at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City.

She had many professional achievements and appointments as a testament to her dedication to the fields of allergy/immunology and pediatrics. Dr. Dinakar served on the Board of Regents of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and received the College’s Distinguished Fellow Award in 2016 and the Woman in Allergy Award in 2015. In 2019, she received the Jerome Glaser Distinguished Service Award from the Allergy/Immunology Section of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She was on the Board of Directors, American Board of Allergy and Immunology and served as a Board Member and on the Joint Task Force on Allergy/Immunology Practice Parameters.

“I have increasingly been seeing children with food allergies in my clinic and in my social circles, with many of them having severe, life-threatening allergies to multiple foods,” said Dr. Chitra Dinakar, the Gies Endowed Faculty Scholar and Clinical Professor in Food Allergy, during an exclusive interview with this writer in January 2017.

Dr. Dinakar was deeply concerned that “a significant percentage of them were of Asian Indian origin, and whose parents and grandparents had no history or knowledge of food allergies. Moreover, some of them had allergies to foods that were not commonly reported in the USA population (e.g. urud dal), and hence were finding it challenging to get appropriately diagnosed and treated.”

These concerns and studies prompted Dr. Dinakar, who had completed her fellowship in Allergy/Immunology at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio, and has been at Children’s Mercy since then to review the scarce literature published on this topic and her search revealed the possibility that Asians have higher odds of food allergy compared with white children, but significantly lower odds of formal diagnosis.

“I also discovered that there is a significant knowledge gap regarding food allergy trends in the Asian Indian population in the US,” Dr. Dinakar said. According to her, Asian Indians have an ethnically unique diet and may have ‘unusual’ or ‘different’ food allergies  than the “Top 8” (milk, egg, wheat, soy, peanut, tree nuts, fish, shellfish). Additionally, there are no standardized tests to diagnose these unique food allergies or recommendations regarding cross-reactive patterns and foods that are a must-avoid. To her surprise, the allergist also found that Asian Indians as a demographic population is typically left out of most large-scale studies since they do not meet the standard research inclusion criteria for “minority ” or “medically underserved” groups. “I therefore believe it is critically important to recognize, diagnose, and treat these unique allergies in this understudied population to optimize nutrition and growth.”

Loving children came naturally to this physician of Indian origin. The opportunity to help care for the health and well-being of the future citizens of India, comprising over one thirds of its population, was compelling and irresistible, inspired her to take up this noble Medical profession. On graduating as the valedictorian from high-school, she was fortunate to be selected to join one of the premier medical institutions in India, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER). Admission at JIPMER is through a nationally competitive entrance examination, and all admitted students receive a generous tuition scholarship from the government of India, which made the decision easy for her.

Dr. Dinakar has been passionately interested in studying food allergy trends among Asian Indians for several years. She began with a pilot survey launched in Kansas City that showed there was a variety of food allergies reported in Asian Indians. She then extended her study to capture a larger cohort throughout the USA in the form of a multi-center collaboration with Dr. Ruchi Gupta, an accomplished pediatrician and food allergy/asthma researcher, from Northwestern University.  IRB approval was obtained at the two collaborating institutions, Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.

Dr. Dinakar noted that, some of other food allergies noted were to chickpea flour, capsicum (variant of green pepper), and to Indian lentils.  Despite the small sample size, a large variety of food allergens that are typically not seen in the general population was reported, including foods such as avocado, banana, beef, bulgur wheat, coconut, corn, eggplant, food dye, garlic, ginger, green peas, jalapeño peppers, kiwi, melon, rice and tomato. Additionally, one in ten parents self-reported that they had a food allergy.

Dr. Dinakar has served in leadership capacities at national Allergy/Immunology organizations. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the American Board of Allergy and Immunology (ABAI) and recently got elected to the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI). She was on the Board of Regents of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). She also serves on the Executive Committee of the Section of Allergy/Immunology in the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP-SOAI) and is an elected member of the prestigious American Pediatric Societies (APS). She is a former President of the Greater Kansas City Allergy Society and a former Board member of the Shawnee Mission Education Foundation. She is a board member of the Food Equality Initiative and the Food Allergy Support Group of Greater Kansas City.

Dr. Dinakar, who has been awarded with numerous awards was the recipient of the “Distinguished Fellow Award, American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology in 2016.

She was thrilled to receive “The Woman in Allergy Award” by the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). The annual award “honors an individual who has advanced the role of women in medicine or made a significant contribution to the specialty”. In the words of the 2016 ACAAI President Dr. James Sublett, “Dr. Dinakar is one of those “go-to individuals” who is always willing, when asked, to step up and take a leadership role. Whether it’s leading the development of a Practice Parameter, or chairing a College committee, we know the job will be done well and on time.”

Some of the awards Dr. Dinakar was bestowed with included, “Excellence in Service” (for Distinguished Editorial Service), Missouri State Medical Association (2016), “Woman in Allergy Award” by the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (2015), “Acellus Teacher of the Year” award by the International Academy of Science (2015), the “Award of Excellence” by the American Association of Allergists & Immunologists of Indian Origin (AAAII, 2009), “Golden Apple Mercy Mentor Award” by Children’s Mercy Hospital, and an honorary “Kentucky Colonel” awarded by the Governor of Kentucky.  She is listed on the Consumer Research Council’s ‘Guide to America’s Top Pediatricians’; Best Doctors in America; Kansas City Magazine’s ‘SuperDocs’ and ‘435 Magazine’ Best Doctors.

“It is energizing to me to know that colleagues I admire and respect believe in my passions,” said Dr. Dinkar with a sense of pride and accomplishment. “At the same time, it is humbling to realize that this honor was possible only because of the unstinting mentorship and encouragement of path-breaking leaders and supportive colleagues. I have found that almost every person I encounter has a story to tell, and their personal battles and victories inspire and motivate me. To me, therefore, the awards are a reflection of the collective “goodness” of the amazing people I have been fortunate to interact with in my life.”

Having had the benefit of experiencing healthcare delivery in two nations, both In India and the US, at near-opposite ends of the spectrum, Dr. Dinakar was well aware of the breakthroughs and limitations in healthcare globally. “I am passionate about minimizing health care disparities and moving healthcare quality forward in every which way I can, one baby step at a time. Having been blessed with receiving top-notch training in both India and the USA, I am passionate about advancing cutting-edge research knowledge in both these countries, and using the expertise and understanding gained to improve global health.” She hopes that her new assignment at Stanford University “will enable me to accomplish my goals.”

Being a pediatrician, and a mother of two young college boys, Dr. Dinakar was an unabashed and ardent believer in the power and ability of the future global citizens to take mankind forward. Dr. Dinakar also believed that many young Indian Americans are doubly blessed with having the benefit of both “Nature and Nurture.” In other words, the majority of them have inherited priceless genes and drive that brought their incredibly hard-working and motivated parents/grandparents to cross continents in a desire to ensure a robust future for their progeny. According to Dr. Dinakar, “while there are unique generational, cultural, language, social and economic challenges in growing up as the children of immigrants in the USA, the opportunities presented to them are limitless. After all, this is “the land where dreams come true!”

Addressing the young Indian Americans, Dr. Dinakar says, “You are extraordinarily gifted and loved beyond measure. Feel empowered to unlock your phenomenal potential and translate your dreams into reality.”

Dr. Dinakar finds time and passion to be actively involved in every aspect of her family life. “I believe that my family is a microcosm of the world around me, and how I interact with my family defines and shapes how I interact with the world. I believe that each one of the members of my family tree (vertically and horizontally) is exceptional and extraordinary, and am deeply grateful for the countless ways in which they have enriched and fostered my growth, either directly or by example.”

“I am a kinetic person and enjoy putting my fast muscle fibers and mitochondria to work,” describes Dr. Dinakar of herself. A classically trained Bharathnatyam dancer, she learned ballroom dancing after coming to the USA. She revels in all kinds of dance movements, including Bollywood. A competitive track athlete in school/college, she says, “nostalgic memories motivate me to represent my hospital in the annual Kansas City-wide Corporate Challenge events, where I typically medal in the 100m and 400m sprints, and Long Jump events.” She was the captain of the basketball team in medical school and “I play 2 on 2 basketball with my boys in the driveway, when the weather permits. My boys are talented musicians and I enjoy listening to them. I also love reading good books and watching movies, though I wish there were 36 hours in a day!”

College leaders remember Dr. Dinakar as a dedicated expert who contributed her knowledge to continuing medical education and public information; a mentor and support to younger members who were making their way along the leadership path; and, most importantly, a kind and dear friend. She will be deeply missed by many. For information on memorial services, please see Dr. Dinakar’s obituary.

What was started by a blind person to help victims such as him 70 years ago in the state of Gujarat, has become today a world renowned premier organization “promoting comprehensive rehabilitation of persons with all categories of disabilities through education, training, employment, community based rehabilitation, integrated education, research, publications, human resource development and other innovative means.”

Blind People’s Association (BPA) in India at Andhjan Mandal was started by Padmashri Jagdish Kashibhai Patel, the founder and Visionary of BPA, who had turned blind when he was 8 years old. Jagdish, the oldest brother of Dr. Geeta Trivedi, who is an active member of AAPI, based in Boston, went to the School of Physiotherapy in Bombay. Later on, Dr. Jagdish started his Practice in his Father’s office. He opened clinics and became Head of Physiotherapy Department in L. G. Hospital, Amadavad.

Dr. Geeta Trivedi, who has seen its growth from the very beginning and has supported its programs, says, “BPA has become an one window service for persons with disabilities.  BPA, understands that gainful employment plays an essential part in the life of a person because it gives him status and binds him to the society.”

Full of enthusiasm and inspiration to help others like him, young Jagdish started a club with three others, who were visually challenged. What they began is now an institution of Multi-Disabilities, known across the world as the BLIND PEOPLE ASSOCIATION.

Dr. Rajendra M. Trivedi, Dr. Geeta Trivedi’s husband and long term associate of Jagdish Kashibhai Patel, and Honorary Coordinator, Resource Mobilization for BPA in the United States, says, “Transparency has been a hallmark of its growth all along. Every Rupee donated from its worldwide supporters is listed with how the money donated has been spent with success stories on their website.”  The Indian American Education Fund, based in California is another group responsible for raising funds for BPA from donors in the US.

Dr. Bhushan Punani, the Executive Secretary of BPA, in an exclusive interview described the many initiatives across Gujarat and the rest of the country. “Blind People’s Association is a professional organization which believes in providing equal opportunities to all categories of people with disabilities. Consistent with the philosophy, it works for providing education, employment opportunities, equal rights and quality life for them,” he says.

A Qualitative Study by Carolyn P. Da Silva, PT, DSc, NCS, Abhinit Bhatt, PT, DPT, Elizabeth Brooke Avant, PT, DPT, Radha Thakorbhai Morar, PT, DPT, Saida Ebrahim, PT, DPT, Rupal Patel, PT, PhD, on “Experiences of Students, Teachers, and Physical Therapists From Blind People’s Association in Ahmedabad, India,” the authors state, “The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of PTs and physical therapy students with BVI, and teachers with and without BVI at Blind People’s Association (BPA) in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.”

At the end of the scientific study, they conclude: “Prior to studying at BPA, the students reported that they felt as though they were an apparent inconvenience to their peers, teachers, and families. Also, the students were not provided with ample accommodations in their traditional classroom settings, which limited their options in secondary education. Conversely, at BPA, they were given a learning experience that allowed them to feel and be more successful with their education. After having the experience at BPA, the students felt more accepted by their larger community and became more confident and inspired to pursue goals in their personal and professional lives, and felt an increased desire to impact their communities with the training they received.”

BPA has continuously strived to provide employment Opportunities to people with disability. During the last five years, it has been successful in providing employment to thousands of people with disabilities. Under the “Swayamsiddha Pariyojana” project BPA works especially for the empowerment of blind women by providing them Micro Credit, so that they can be independent individuals. BPA also gives priority to projects advocating human rights for people with disabilities.

“AAPI is excited to collaborate with BPA and contribute resources, skills and talents in taking this noble organization beyond the borders of Gujarat and helping its serve other parts of India, where this effective model of empowering the disabled will serve the needy,” says, Dr. Suresh Reddy, President of AAPI.

For more information about AAPI and BPA, please visit; www.aapiusa.org and http://www.bpaindia.org

Rich Verma, former U.S. Ambassador to India in the Obama administration, the first ever Indian American to serve as the American envoy to New Delhi in the second term of the Obama administration, was the keynote speaker at the launch of South Asians for Biden in the Washington, Maryland and Virginia area, held at the Oval Room Corporation’s Penthouse in downtown D.C., Feb. 28.

Verma, in a scathing indictment of President Donald Trump and his close aides —  during and after their recent trip to India last month–laying claim to being the protagonists behind elevating U.S.-India relations to the next level, declared, “It was a rewriting of history.”

 He said, “I was shocked to see the delegation,” that accompanied Trump to India, particularly “people that have spent the last three years trying to keep people like all of us, and our parents and our relatives, out of this country. Or to make the lives of people who happen to have a different background, a different religion, different skin tone, much harder — harder not easier.”

Former Air Force veteran, Retd. Lt. Col. Ravi Chaudhary, the coordinator behind South Asians for Biden, reminiscent of South Asians for Obama, in his welcoming remarks to the dozens of local Democratic leaders and activists who attend the event, said, also spoke of how Biden was instrumental in helping veterans, especially South Asian veterans.

Chaudhary, a former Commissioner on the White House Advisory Council on Asian American and Pacific Islanders(AAPI) in the Obama administration, recalled that “as a member of the President’s AAPI Commission, I’ve had personal experience “of his (Biden’s) support for the accommodation of religious freedom in the U.S. military so that South Asians, especially Sikhs with turbans could serve unabatedly and that wave has now traveled and is continuing and it all traveled with Joe.”

 “We are at a dangerous time in our democracy…It’s really a dangerous time, and it’s not just because of this past week with the collapse of the stock market and the spread of the (Corona) virus…It’s really an important time for the immigrant community,” Ambassador Verma said.

Verma said that it was an outrage to watch the likes of “Stephen Miller taking selfies in front of the Taj Mahal and then talking about how great the trip was and how Trump did it all.”

Verma, ripping into Trump and his entourage pushing the visit as a grand success, even though it was heavy on optics and symbolism and light on tangibles — like a much touted trade deal — and substance, said, “That trip was built on the backs of people that came 50, 60 years ago and labored so hard and faced a lot of discrimination and fought every single day to have a better life for their kids.”

“And, they acted as if history started yesterday with their trip and they tarnished and exploited all of what has come before them,” he added. Verma asserted that “it was an outrage of unprecedented proportions” and warned that “we have to recognize what they were doing. It was a rewriting of history and these people are so dangerous to the American experience, the American dream.”

Verma said Trump’s recent thrashing of the likes of Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, a Ukranian American, who testified before the House Intelligence Committee about Trump’s conversations with Ukraine’s president, his repeated demands earlier that U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel, whom he called “a Mexican” appointed by Obama(even though Curiel was born in Indiana to Mexican parents who had immigrated to the U.S.), “and the same with President Obama, whom he (Trump) alleged was not born in the United States, and you can go down the list” was to divide the nation by implying that they were all “lesser Americans.”

“That somehow, we are not as American as they are,” he said. “They are trying to define what it means to be Americans,” and reiterated “it is indeed a dangerous time in our democracy.” Verma also recalled several of his interactions with and inspirational stories of Biden and how hard the former vice president has worked to ensure the American dream is a reality for all, and especially his commitment to veterans.

“Once while flying on an aircraft, we were tired from a long day, I turned around and Joe was in the back of the plane, chatting with an Air Force Master Sergeant, listening to his feedback, and understanding veteran challenges. It went on for three hours. That’s the type of caring leader Joe will be as our President…” he said.

 “But I’m telling you, three weeks ago when I saw Lt. Col. Vindman get walked out of the White House and this Purple Heart veteran being treated the way he was, I knew immediately about what I need to do next.”

From February 16th to 18th, Lucknow, India witnessed the most monumental public Convention in its history that was attended by over 110,000 delegates on expansive ‘Ramabai Park’ grounds. Headlined as “Parivartan Kumbh” (meaning, ‘Transformation’), it was hosted by “Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation” (‘Ekal’, as it is popularly known) to highlight the ‘Parivartan’ (change) it has brought to over 105,000 rural and tribal areas across India.

Although rooted in education, in past 31 years, Ekal has significantly come a long way and evolved into economic empowerment of rural folks, village development, social-life improvement and digital connectivity. Initially, the rural-tribal children struggled to incorporate basic functional literacy in their daily chores. There wasn’t any trace of modernity either, affecting their lives. Now, the little ones, with digital ‘Tablets’ in hand, are aspiring to touch the Moon in their routine folklores. The main objective of this historic gathering was not only to highlight this willful reformation, but also, to emphasize villager’s confident strides towards contemporary ‘main stream’.

February 16^th, saw a mammoth rally comprising representation from most of the Ekal villages in day-long awe-inspiring various village artistry sessions. The unprecedented gathering was also addressed by Didi Ma Sadhvi Ritambharaji. Currently, Ekal has 105,000 schools in the same number of rural regions all over India, including Jammu-Kashmir & Nepal, that are grooming 2.8 Million children each year. Internationally, it has presence in ten countries – biggest among them is in USA. Ekal-USA provides, not only financial assistance, but also, gives active support in fields of ‘technology-transfer’ and healthcare.

February 17th was the inauguration day of this congregation and it was officiated by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Hon. Adityanath Yogiji at the huge ‘Ambedkar Auditorium’ in ‘Ram Lohiya College’ in presence of capacity crowd. This day was devoted to honoring outstanding achievements of Ekal alumni who brought social, economic or cultural transformation to their own lives under most hardship conditions and had managed to become the toast of the ranking society. Board members of Ekal’s international chapters, generous Donors and special-project initiators were also felicitated. This entire event was organized and conducted by village youths. There were numerous stalls on the grounds displaying products from Ekal villages that are now integral part of its cottage industries.

The closing ceremony on February 17th was presided over by Defense Minister, Hon. Rajnathji. During this entire event there were deliberations on where Ekal wants to be in Yr.2025? In 2017, Ekal had already resolved to reach out to all of India’s 650,000-plus rural tribal regions. So, in addition to its main objectives, it was decided on this momentous occasion to make rural areas more ‘women & youth-centric’ to develop village’s and villager’s full potentials. On the social front, Ekal wants to create alcohol-free environment and overcome downside of caste, creed & religion, so that Gandhiji’s dream of ‘Su-Swaraj’ (ideal Admin – life) becomes a reality.

With this task in mind, Ekal has decided to create units of 10 youths in each village, called ‘Swaraj Senani’ (comprehensive nation building teams) that would keep track of progress and development in their village and also tap into governmental schemes & entitlements for the benefit of their brethren. Accordingly, the steps are already being taken at every level of Ekal to handover the baton for the new age to younger generation. A ceremony representing the new dawn was performed by ‘Ekal Abhiyan’ Chairman, Bajrang Bagraji, by handing over the Parivartan-flag to a youth group that defined rural and urban areas. Ranjani Saigal, Executive Director of Ekal-USA, confirmed that this entire 3-day event had pronounced presence of youths and every aspect of it was flawlessly administered, managed and executed by them.

As a departure from usual Bollywood-singers for its fund-raising events, Ekal-USA this year, has invited an array of diverse rural entertainers with exceptional artistry, as the headliners for the concerts. Their performances under the banner of ‘Bharat Ke Rang, Ekal Ke Sang’ have already started in southern parts of USA. This unique concert is a spectacular splendor of ethnic music, dances and dramas by enormously talented rural-tribal artistes. In 2017, if one can recall, the similar variety programs were sold-out wherever they took place. For performance in your town, kindly visit www.ekal.org.

Rajeshwar Prasad, a veteran community leader and pioneer and founder president of The National Indo-American Association for Senior Citizens (NIAASC)  was elected President of SHANTINIKETAN Shaniniketan1 (SN1) Community in Tavares, Florida during elections held on January 17, 2020.

“January 2020 has been hectic for the Shaniniketan1 (SN1) Community in Tavares, Florida,” Prasad said. “The​annual election of the Board of Directors of Shantinuketan1 which has 54 condos was completed.”

This is an annual event to elect five Board members. Election was conducted by and under the supervision of Sentry Management, (SM), a well known entity which conducts such tasks nation – wide. SM sought nominations for the five positions on the Board: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Director.

In all, there were eight nominations for the five positions: The nominees were Geeta Chandran, Hemendra Desai, Indu Desai, Shanti Kalathia, Indu Kumar, Abnash Narula, Rajeshwar Prasad, and Jitendra Sanghvi. SM selected an Election Committee of three residents, Krishna Kumaran, Rana Gupta and Suman Rane. to undertake the task of counting ballots and announcing the top five as members of the new 2020 Board at the General Body Meeting.

As per SN1’s Constitution and Bylaws, the newly elected Board elects the officers immediately following the General Body meeting. There were about 30 residents present at the Board meeting.

Final results were as follows: President: Rajeshwar Prasad;   Vice President: Shanti Kalathia; Treasurer: Hemendra Desai; Secretary: Geeta Chandran; and Director: Abnash Narula.

Prasad, in his brief comments, underscored that all Board meetings will be open to residents, except for sensitive issues and personnel matters, when it will go into executive session. He said he would make efforts to develop collaborative relations with Shantiniketan 2 which is only about a mile away, with 120 condos.

He then asked the residents present to speak on issues and concerns they have regarding Shantiniketan1 and other matters. The President emphasized that the purpose of seeking their comments was to help the Board form committees to address the issues and other pertinent concerns faced by residents. The Board would work to form such committees in the next two weeks or so. He also announced that there would be a minimum of four Board meetings in the year, and the next meeting will be in April 2020; date and time will be announced well ahead of time.

ShantiNiketan (SN), a retirement community based in Tavares, Florida, about an hour Northwest drive from Orlando. This is an age-restricted community where at least one of the residents should be above 55 years of age. Guest of any age can visit and stay with the residents. Children below the age of 18 can stay only for a maximum of 30 days in a year. Phases one and two of SN are operational with 174 condos – 54 in phase one and 120 in phase 2. The two phases are within a mile on the same boulevard. The gated complex with full security was initiated around 2011 though the concept of developing such a community was floated by Iggy Ignatius, Founder & Chairman, ShantiNiketan Retirement Communities, in 2004. The complexes are closer to shopping area, hospital, YMCA, and about an hour drive to Disney World, and it is about 45 miles from the Orlando International airport.

This is the first retirement community where Indian Americans can spend their golden years among the peers; get rid of loneliness; have clear conscience not to burden their children; and live free of daily chores around the house and if desired to avoid cooking and maintaining kitchen décor. It does not mean that you have no role in SN! Besides the full-time staff, such as cook, landscaper, manager etc. the SN depends heavily on volunteers to keep the residents involved.