NEW YORK: Pam Kwatra, a respected community leader and Founder/President of Kripari Marketing was among seven Indians who received America's singular honor for immigrants on Sunday May 10.
The other six who shared the honor were Dr Bhupi Patel, Mike Patel, Dr Dhiraj Shah, Dr Sampat Shivangi, Dr Nadadur Vardhan and Dr Samir Chaudhuri. The Ellis Island Medal of Honor Award is given to men and women who have significant contributions to enriching the lives of all in America. Presented by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations (NECO), the glittering award ceremony and gala dinner was held at the great hall in Ellis Island, in New York.
Atlantan Mukesh "Mike" Patel is president of Diplomat Companies, which operates numerous hotels in the southeastern United States, plus he serves as chairman of the board for three community banks in Georgia and Florida which he helped found with his brother R.C. Dr. Bhupi Patel is Chief of Medicine, The Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens, Long Island City, NY.
Dr Dhiraj H. Shah, a retired radiologist near Buffalo, who became one of the first Indian Americans to win the conscientious objector status in 1970 when he refused to fight during the Vietnam War, has long worked for peace. Dr Sampat Shivangi, one of the chosen few who attended President Bush's inauguration and is now a member of the White House Advisory Council. Besides being a politician by choice, the good doctor is also the first Indian to be on the American Medical Association.
Dr Samir Chaudhuri is the Director of the Child in Need Institute (CINI), an organization founded in 1974 to achieve sustainable development among poor communities in the city of Calcutta, India, and surrounding areas.
The Ellis medals are resonant with the spirit of America and the annual award recognizes those outstanding citizens of diverse origins in recognition of their humanitarian work and for building the bridge between the two communities - the community of their homeland and the community of their new home - USA. Pam Kwatra, the only Indian woman recipient, was honored for her selfless work she has performed for many years in her personal and professional capacity.
Kwatra sits on the Boards of Several Organizations like India Vision Foundation, Just a Minute of Peace Organization (affiliated with the United Nations), Asian Indian Chamber of Commerce. She is on the Board and Chairs South Asian Business Alliance Network in the East Coast. She has personally supported many victims of domestic violence for years and provided them the assistance and counseling they have required.
Kripari Marketing has represented and organized many high profile entertainment events like Pandit Ravi Shankar and Anoushka Shankar at Carnegie Hall, book releases of Raj Kapoor and Kathleen Kennedy. Past recipients of this Ellis Island Medal of Honor 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. Mona Chodda stated that "I am so proud to be Pam's friend; she well deserves this Award for all the selfless help she provides to her friends, families and other community members. Pam is always there when anyone is in distress and needs a helping hand. I was honored to be a part of the Award ceremony and the celebrations to Honor my friend Pam Kwatra."
When asked for Pam's achievements, Mona softly responded, she has many achievements but in one line, to be nominated by the most illustrious American family member like Kathleen Kennedy, ex Lt Governor of Virginia is an achievement by itself." When asked how she felt about this honor, Pam Kwatra said "This award comes at a time when I had completed 30 years of dedicated community service. America has been very good to me and my family.
I owe this award to the Indian-American community who have welcomed and nurtured all my ideas. India is a global superpower today - a real superstar. To see the confidence of Indians all over the world and the growing respect they command in every walk of life makes me feel incredibly proud. I am so proud to be an Indian and an American.
Today, race and origin play and increasing role in defining who we are. This moment of receiving the Ellis Island Medal of Honor is symbolic of an immigrant woman's achievement in a land that recognizes hard work and opportunity. I also share this award with my wonderful husband without whose support I could not have done most of the work which is being recognized today with this award."
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