IndiaPost.com - Ellis Island Medal of Honor for Pam Kwatra

India Post News Service

NEW YORK: Pam Kwatra, a highly regarded lady in the Indian Community in New Jersey by virtue of her selfless and dedicated services for the immigrants as well as the members of the community at large, has been selected to receive the 2008 Ellis Island Medal of Honor this year. The Award is given by National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations (NECO) and the award ceremony is slated for May 10 at the Great Hall in Ellis Island.

Each year since 1986 NECO has sponsored the Ellis Island Medals of Honor to recognize and honor men and women of diverse backgrounds and nationalities, who have distinguished themselves in serving the needy and all deserving causes for the welfare of American people. The medals are presented on Ellis Island, in a grand ceremony to American citizens of diverse origins for the outstanding contribution to the communities, the community they come from and community of their adopted land.

Past recipients include six presidents of the United States, Nobel Prize winners, famous athletes, political leaders, senior officials of fortune five hundreds, in addition artists and musicians whose work has made a lasting impact on humanity at large. Ellis Island is a living tribute to the courage and hope of all immigrants, who have built America.

This is the most prestigious award to an immigrant in recognition of his/her humanitarian work and for building bridges between the two communities. When asked for her reaction Pam Kwatra said, "I am humbled and honored, although to me one other award really means more responsibility. Every time I receive an award I feel I need to give back more to the society. When you are bestowed with the highest honor like Ellis Island Medal of Honor, the level of bar is heightened so I expect more from myself, devote more time to volunteer at different projects."

Pam Kwatra is the president of Kripari Marketing and Public Relations. She sits on the board of several organizations, like India Vision Foundation, Just a Minute of Peace Org., and Asian Indian Chamber of commerce. She is also on the board of trustees of SAALT (South Asian American Leaders of Tomorrow) and its founding member. She is on the board and chairs SABAN, South Asian Business Alliance Network.