IndiaPost.com - South Asian achievers to be honored

NEW YORK: The very first of its kind, the South Asian Excellence Awards (SAEA) to be hosted by Sony Entertainment Television Asia will bring a different style of award show to the air. Created to recognize and honor South Asian achievers for a wide swath of accomplishments, the prestigious South Asian Excellence Awards is set to become an annual cultural landmark. In addition, the SET Asia is empowering the public by allowing them to cast their vote to nominate the achiever of their choice in varied categories.

Speaking from his office in London, Rajan Singh, Executive Vice President, International Business of SET Asia, said, "South Asians in the U.S. are certainly making their mark in all spheres of life. At SET Asia, we believe that the time has come to recognize their contributions and to showcase them to the world. This is precisely why, as a global TV channel, we have taken the lead in honoring those outstanding South Asian men and women who stand as icons and examples of excellence and integrity to their community."

A marketing campaign will be launched in mid-March to publicize this event through print ads in addition to promos on SET Asia. The public will be invited to nominate one or more South Asian achievers of their choice in various categories.

The categories include entertainment, science, technology, social service, performing and visual arts, business, literature and sports. A special award will be given to a young achiever demonstrating outstanding excellence in their field, as well as one for South Asian Personality of the Year. Nominations can be filed online via the SAEA website at www.saea.tv.

The 2008 South Asian Excellence Awards is made possible with the support of the presenting sponsor Wal-Mart Stores and Sam's Club. Conceptualized as a TV event that will be broadcast to a worldwide community, the South Asian Excellence Awards will feature the crème de la crème of the South Asian community in the fields of business, entertainment, social and public service, education, science, sports, literature, technology and IT, and the performing and visual arts, with a special award given to a young achiever demonstrating outstanding excellence in their field.

It is expected to become an annual event and a cultural landmark.