CHICAGO: The World Federation of Tamil Youth (WFY), USA hosted the 65th birthday celebrations of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Selvi J Jayalalithaa on Sunday March 10 at a colorful venue, Holiday Inn, Rolling Meadows.
US Congressman Danny Davis presented “The Selvi J. Jayalalithaa Award of Excellence for 2013” to Ms. Vandana Jhingan, Midwest Bureau chief of TV-Asia in recognition of her services to the community for the last 15 years. This is the 20th consecutive year that the Federation has been honoring outstanding individuals with the Selvi J. Jayalalithaa Award of Excellence.
Previous Awardees were Raja Krishnamoorthy (2012), Rep. Danny Davis (2011), Mother Teresa (1996), Illinois state senator Howard Carroll (1998), Wisconsin state senator Rodney Moen (1999) and in 2004, Rep. Ray LaHood who is now U.S. Transportation Secretary.
The “International Woman of the Year 2013 Award” was given to Mrs. Padma Mehta, an accomplished vocal performer. The US Rep. Davis’s Multi Ethnic Advisory Task Force also presented the “Community Leadership Award” to Satheesan Nair, General Secretary of NFIA ‘The Youth Leadership Award” to Ms Tanya Prabhakar, John Marshall Law School and “The International Youth Leadership Award” to Mylvaganan Logith, Environmental Consultant, Chennai.
Sohan Joshi, President NFIA, commended Jayalalithaa’s stand to hold Sri Lanka accountable for the genocide of Tamils in 2009 and appealed to the Government of India to support the U.S. backed Resolution in the United Nations Human Rights Commission.
Praising the dynamic leadership of Jaylalithaa, Danny Davis described her as a pragmatic mass leader. He congratulated the organizers for hosting this successful program. Dr Tapas Dasgupta, Chairman of Selvi J. Jayalalithaa Birthday Celebrations welcomed the gathering. Dr Vijay Prabhakar, President WFY listed the achievements of Jayalalithaa and pointed out that this year celebrations included interfaith prayers on Sunday February 24, presentation of winter wellness gift packages to 65 needy persons, free health care check up for senior citizens and health screenings for the mentally challenged.
Lawry S Taylor, Executive Director of Danny Davis Multi Ethnic Advisory Task Force emceed the event while Dr J. Jacob Agepog, Archbishop & Moderator, international communion of holy Christian Churches, delivered the invocation prayer.
India Post News Service
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