Dr. Prachi Dua, a dynamic and rising woman leader in New York, was among the five distinguished women who have excelled in their profession and community services, and were honored with the prestigious Outstanding Women’s Achievements Awards, Five distinguished women who had excelled in their profession and community services were presented with Outstanding Women’s achievements Awards
The glittering ceremony organized as part of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day Celebrations at Akbar’s Ballroom in Garden City, New York on Sunday March 8, 2020, was organized by IAF (Indian American Forum) led by Indu Jaiswal, known for her strong commitment and dedication to the community cause was the organizing force behind the gala.
New York State Senator Kevin Thomas honored Dr. Dua and others during the gala Senator Kevin Thomas congratulated all honorees and acknowledged the efforts of IAF Team.
Dr. Dua serves as an Ophthalmologist in Northwell Health System, working closely with the residents and treats patients at the North Shore Hospital in Manhasset and LIJ. She had served as the President of the Medical Student Resident, a Chapter of the national AAPI in 2018-2019 and is now the Chair of Academic Affairs for National and Young Physicians Section for local AAPIQLI Chapter this year.
Dr. Saroj Shah a board-certified Ob/GYN, practicing in New York for over 35 years. Dr Shah has been a leader in the Indian Community promoting culture and Womens empowerment. Dr Shah and along with committee members were successfully able to establish the Indian Unit at Parker Jewish Institute, providing quality healthcare to the elderly from Indian American Community.
Prof Francesca Cassio is a professor of Music at Hofstra University (NY) and since 2011 holds the Sardarni Harbans Kaur Chair in Sikh Musicology, the first academic position of its kind in the United States. Dr .Cassio was awarded the Stessin Prize with the article “Female Voices in Gurbani Sangit and the Role of the media in promoting “Female Kirtanie” accomplished scholar, dedicated teacher and Kirtan singer.
Aashmeeta Yogiraj is with a multifaceted background in information science, political science and journalism, Aashmeeta Yogiraj brings digital literacy to a traditional broadcasting environment in her role as the Director of Marketing at Jus Broadcasting Corp. Yogiraj holds a Master’s of Science from Syracuse university and received her Bachelors from SUNY Stony Brook. She along with JUS Team have successfully opened another studio in California.
Keynote Speaker Dr Isma H Chaudhry, Chair of Nassau County Asian American Council, serves on the board of the Nassau County Minority Affairs Council. was all in praises for the efforts of Indian American Forum and Indian American Community. She congratulated all honorees and stressed the importance of role women are playing in this world. Citations of behalf of Nassau County Executive Laura Curran the town of North Hempstead Supervisor Judi Bosworth, Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino, New York State Senator Kevin Thomas Were presented to all Honorees
Community leader Shammi Singh, the Chairperson of the Gala, in her remarks, welcomed all the guests congratulated all the honorees and praised their efforts in achieving such success. American National Anthem was sung by Gurbani Kaur Sethi and Indian National Anthem sung by Roopam Maini. Mistress of Ceremonies, Chanbir Kaur Sethi made the evening enjoyable. The hall was beautifully decorated with Passion Color theme and spring flowers, theme courtesy Sunita Sadhnani of Glamorous Event Planners.
The gala began with Ganesh Vandana sung by Vandana Jauhar, Dance performances presented by students of well-known Choreographers Namrata Bajaj from BnB Dance School, Toral Shah and Sunita Sadhnani enthralled audience with Vocal performances. Mr Mohinder Taneja gave special thanks for all our sponsors and media partners. Chanbir Kaur, Roopam Maini, Indie Singh, Dr. Isha Mehta and Sunita Sadhnani coordinated a brief Q&A session with the honorees discussing and emphasizing their accomplishments
Among those present during the event were BobbyKumar Kalotee Founder of IAF and Chair of Nassau County Human right Commissioner Dr and Mrs. Mann Saluja from International Punjabi Society, Shashi Malik, President of India Association of Long Island, Sher Singh Madra , Andy Mansukhani,, Board of Directors of Nargis Dutt Foundation, Meena Chopra, Bharti Desai, Past President of Gujarat Samaj of New York, Haseena Mooppan from Domestic Harmony Foundation, Rizwan Qureshi from HAB Bank, Roopam Maini from BCB Bank,, Jasbir Jay Singh, Vice President of IALI,, Smiti and Ram Khanna, Flora Parekh, Pinky Jaggi and Jyoti Gupta, President LILC, Nishi Bahl, Ravi and Jaya Bhooplapur, Dr Rajiv and Vandana Jauhar, ,Dr Shashi and Usha Patel, Dr Urvashi and Anoop Kapoor, Dr Subhadra Nori, Dr Sunil Mehra and Past Presidents of AAPIQLI and members, Judges and several other dignitaries were present
Board of Trustees, Dr .Parveen Chopra, Dr Azad Anand, Surinder Rametra, Dr Ved Kawatra, Animesh Goenka, Dr Urmilesh Arya, Dr Bhupendra Patel, Bobby Kumar Kalotee, Mohinder Singh Taneja Board members Beena Kothari, Bina Sabapathy, Nirmala Rametra, Anu Gulati, Dr Meena Jaiswal, Vijay Goswamy, Tejal Kamath, Rohini Singh, Anuj Rihal, Inesha Singh, Gala Chairperson Shammi Singh and Many others helped in making the event a grand success. It was indeed a very successful evening, showcasing and honoring outstanding women achievers, who are successful in business, cultural, professional, education, and medical. Community and social services.
