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FOSAAC celebrates
61st Independence Day
Los Angeles, Sep. 08, 2008
Ramesh/ Gary Singh
In honor of India's 61st Independence
Day, Friends of South Asian American Communities in California
was held its Fifth Annual gala dinner Awards at the Beverly Hilton
Hotel (Los Angeles), California on Sep. 06, 2008 from 5pm to 11.30pm.
"To bring together all South Asians in the USA"
is the theme of the Friends of South Asian American Communities.
The goal was to unite the various member organizations, as well
as co-ordinate the cultural, educational, social, economic, and
community affairs of South Asians in America.
This year, The Friends of South Asian American Communities
have come up with a special annual awards at a glittering banquet
Sponsors
of the Award
- Mahatma Gandhi Award for Outstanding Contribution
to Society--------------Dr. Prem Reddy
- Mother Teresa Award for service to the Needy--------------------------------Hamilton
Brewart-
- Kalpna Chawla Award for Outstanding Woman-------------------------------
Gurbax Bhasin
- Dhirubhai Ambani Award for Outstanding Entrepreneur-----------------------Shiv
Grewal
- Rajiv Gandhi Award for Outstanding Proactive
Leadership--------------------Dave Katragadda
- Sir C V Raman Award for Outstanding Contribution
to Science---------------Chandra Sekhar V R
- Raj Kapoor Award for Outstanding achievement
in Films, --------------------Sangeeta Kaul
- Rabindranath Tagore Award for Outstanding Teenager
of the year,----------Mr. Ragu Sada
- Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Award for Outstanding
Leadership.----------------B. U. Patel
- Lok Manya Bal Gangadhar Tilak Award for Outstanding
Interrity----------Dr. anil Shah
- Dr Zakir Hussein Award for Outstanding Contribution
to the Arts -----------Anne Tahim
- Dalip Singh Saund Award--Outstanding Political
contribution to Indo-american society----Ratan Joea
- Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Award- for Outstanding
Patriotism,------------------------Jagan Yelisetti
- Conjee Rustumjee Cohoujee Bey Award- outstanding
youth of the year-----------------Nataraj Reddy
- Chatrapati Shivaji Award--Military Valor in
US Military----------------------------------Mr. Chitranjan Roy
- R. D. Burman Award---Outstanding Contribution
to Music-------------------------------Jimmy Sandhu
MANEKA GANDHI (Member of Parliament, India) - Award
for Outstanding Woman of the Year: Maneka Gandhi, Member of Parliament
in India, an ardent animal rights activist and famous environmentalist.
She has been a Minister in four governments, and has authored a
number of books in the areas of etymology and animal welfare. Maneka
Gandhi is a member of the Nehru-Gandhi Family. She created the Department
for Animal Welfare and played a historic role in the Indian pension
reforms effort, through the early phase of ` Project OASIS'. She
is former chairwoman of the Committee for the Purpose of Control
and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CPCSEA). She started
the organization " People for Animals" in 1992 and it
is the largest organization for animal rights/welfare in India
IMRAN KHAN (Cricketer & Philanthropist, Pakistan) - Award for
Humanitarian of the Year: Chairman of Pakistan's Tehreek-e-Insaf
(Movement for Justice), a world renowned philanthropist, a legendary
sportsman (cricket captain of the Pakistan team that won the 1992
World Cup) and Chancellor of the Bradford University in UK, Imran
Khan is on a mission to bring democracy to Pakistan by establishing
the rule of law by restoring the independence of judiciary. Apart
from his political work, Imran Khan is also working to improve social
conditions of the people of Pakistan through his philanthropic work.
He established the biggest charitable foundation in Pakistan called
The Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Center
(SKMT), the first and only cancer hospital of international standards
in Pakistan, dedicated to providing first-class treatment of cancer
to all its patients, irrespective of their ability to pay. It is
a top class cancer hospital and research center, and the only one
in the world that treats 70% of its patients free of cost. SKMT
was also awarded the Excellence Award by the WHO in 2005.
ANNE ARCHER (Hollywood Actress, Fatal Attraction Fame) - Award
for Outstanding Contribution to Society: Nominated for an Academy
Award, a Golden Globe and the British (BAFTA) Academy Award for
her in "Fatal Attraction," Anne Archer has won a Golden
Globe for her poignant performance in "Short Cuts" and
is well-known for playing Harrison Ford's on-screen wife, Cathy,
in "Patriot Games" and "Clear and Present Danger."
In 2006 she founded Artists for Human Rights (AFHR), a non-profit
organization which raises awareness of the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights through a multitude of artistic campaigns and international
partnerships thus increasing responsibility, peace and tolerance
around the world.
NANCY CARTWRIGHT (Hollywood Actress, Simpsons Fame) - Award for
Humanitarian of the Year: Emmy Award-winning actress Nancy Cartwright
best known as the voice of spike-headed underachiever Bart Simpson
in THE SIMPSONS, but also gives voice to Ralph Wiggum, Nelson Muntz,
and various others in the town of Springfield. She has portrayed
memorable roles in numerous television series and movies, including
"Cheers," "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," "Twilight
Zone-The Movie" and "Godzilla." Cartwright actively
supports many nonprofit organizations that help children, including
Famous Fone Friends, Make-a-Wish Foundation, The Way to Happiness
Foundation, PALS (Police Activities League Supporters) and World
Literacy Crusade. She is the Honorary Mayor of the North San Fernando
Valley and actively participates in her local community. She is
co-founder of Happy House, a non-profit organization dedicated to
Building Better Families. She is a member of Women in Film, ASIFA,
Women in Animation and The Chouinard Foundation.
JATIN PANDIT (Music Director, India) - Award for Outstanding Contribution
to Music: Jatin is the prolific significant half of India's most
creative music directing duo Jatin-Lalit. Best known for his work
in popular films like Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge, Kabhi Khushi
Kabhi Gham, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Hum Tum and Fanaa, Jatin has composed
music for more than 100 films in various Indian languages for close
to 20 years. From the beginning, there has been a distinct, almost
over-whelming influence of the R D Burman school on the work of
Jatin. His film Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge has been the longest
running film in the history of motion pictures in the world. Jatin
has also been a popular judge and mentor in hit musical talent shows
like " Sa Re Ga Ma Pa - The Musical Challenge", "Star
Voice of India", "Waar Parivar" and "Jhoom India".
During these shows, his fans got an opportunity to see and learn
his honest behavior and modest conduct.
DR. A. R. JHA - Award for Outstanding Contribution to Science:
Dr. A.R. Jha is a Senior Consulting Scientist with a PhD in Electronics
from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA. Since 1960, he has worked
in the capacity of a Sr. Research and Development engineer in US
reputed defense companies such as General Electric, Raytheon and
Lockheed Missile and Space. Dr. Jha started his own company known
Jha Technical Consulting services in 1992, which is providing consulting
services in high technology systems and sensors, namely, radars
for fighter/bombers, lasers for tracking long range missiles in
space, solid stateRF/microwave/mm-wave/infrared components for offensive
and defensive systems, electro-optics/photonics devices, MEMS devices,
printed circuit antennas, IR countermeasures, IR detectors/focal
planar arrays and drone/UAV electronics. Dr. Jha has presented about
80 technical papers (including ten invited ones) in various International
conferences. He has published TEN high technology books on various
topics and has been granted US Patents.
DR. DINESH KESKAR - Award for Outstanding Integrity: Dr. Dinesh
Keskar holds the dual positions of senior vice president of Sales
and president of Boeing Aircraft Trading. He is responsible for
sales efforts in India and Nepal, including oversight of the Boeing
India office and leads the team responsible for marketing all types
of Boeing aircrafts to customers worldwide. Previously, as president
of Boeing India, he was responsible for the company's sales and
marketing, airline support & industrial partnership activities
in India. Dr. Keskar was also director of International Sales where
he managed all of Boeing's airplane sales and marketing activities
in India, and was responsible for managing relationships with government
operated Air India and Indian Airlines, related civil aviation government
offices and new India-based private airlines. Dr. Keskar is a board
member for U.S.-India Business Council and has been an active member
of Indian community organizations. In Sept 2006, he received the
Outstanding Achievement award from the American Society of Engineers
of Indian Origin.
DR. SANAT KAUL - Award for Outstanding Contribution to Science:
Dr. Sanat Kaul is an advisor to the Indian Association of Tour Operators,
Pragaty47 and Braj Foundation. He is also member of the board of
directors of Noida Toll Bridge Company and Chairman of International
Foundation for Aviation and Development. He was former Chairman
and Managing Director of Delhi Tourism & Transportation Corporation.
He has been instrumental in Promotion of tourism and culture in
Delhi, nationally & internationally, development of tourism
infrastructure and new adventure sports facilities. Dr. Kaul has
held positions of Joint Secretary in Ministry of Civil Aviation,
Joint Secretary in Ministry of Home Affairs and Deputy Secretary/Under
Secretary in Department of Economic Affairs in Ministry of Finance
in the Government of India.
RAMALINGAM JAYAKUMAR - Award for Outstanding Contribution to Arts:
Ramalingam Jayakumar has been a renowned astrologer in India. He
is committed to serve the under privilege section of the Indian
community. Through his profession he has motivated thousands of
rich people for last twelve years to help in education materials,
providing drinking water facilities and clothes for the poor people.
His submission is that we in the world must take responsibility
of other brothers and sisters living in our world - this is what
humanity is all about.
MATTHEW DABABNEH - Award for Outstanding Youth of the Year: Matthew
Dababneh is the Senior District Advisor to Congressman Brad Sherman
(D-CA) and oversees the Congressman's field and communication efforts.
Matthew has also worked on numerous campaigns, including the 2004
Presidential Election and 2006 gubernatorial race in California.
Matthew recently served as Senator Hillary Clinton's Presidential
Campaign State Labor Director for Nevada. Currently, Matthew also
serves as Advisory Board Member for The Phoenix House Drug Rehabilitation
Academy in Los Angeles and The Help Group, the nation's premier
Autism and Spectrum Disorder research center.Throughout Matthew's
career in government and politics he has worked closely with the
South Asian American Community, championing a number of issues and
causes of great concern. Matthew has received numerous honors form
City of Los Angeles, County of Los Angeles and State of California
for his work in the community.
CAPTAIN ASHWIN MADIA - Award for Valor in US Military : Captain
Ashwin Madia (US Marine Corps) was born in Boston, MA and grew up
in Plymouth, MN. He Studied for his BA at the University of Minnesota
and obtained his JD from New York University Law School. Service
to his country drew him to the Marine Corps where he rose to the
rank of Captain. While serving in Iraq he worked as a Marine Corps
Officer helping to rebuild the New Iraqi Legal System. After returning
from Iraq, he joined a legal firm of Robins, Kaplan, Miller &
Ciresi, LLP. With Service to his country always on his mind he has
taken a leave of absence from this law firm to campaign full-time
as a candidate of the US Congress.Captain Ashiwn Madia is running
for the Cogresstional seat vacated by the retirement of Congressman
Jim Ramstad from Congressional District 3 in Minnesota. His powerful
message of hope and change inspired a broad-based coalition of veterans,
labor union members and loyal democrats from across the district.
ARUN BHAN - Award for Outstanding Patriotism: Mr. Arun Bhan is
involved in several industries such as pharmaceutical, real estate,
electronics and in the hospitality industry. He has been a Director,
Investor, Advisor Board Memeber and Associate to companies such
as Bal Pharma Limited, ATF Satyasager Developers Private Limited,
World Portfolio Leasing and Finance Limited, Gemini Hitech SDN BHD,
Urbantec Investment Inc., and many others. Mr. Bhan also Consults
on International projects and has advised the Governments of Ireland
and India on Aviation matters.
Dr. P.S. RANA - Award for Outstanding Proactive Leadership: Dr.
P.S. Rana (born on October 9, 1946 in Delhi, India) has 35 years
of varied experience in conceptualization, planning, designing,
appraising, financing and implementation of housing and infrastructure
projects all over the country. He has initiated a number of policy
changes for promotion of mass housing, rental housing and in-situ
urbanization to eliminate homelessness and slums. He has been generating
out-of the-box innovative ideas and providing effective results
in the housing and infrastructure sector.
MIKE HONDA (Vice-Chair of the Democratic National Committee)- Outstanding
Political Contribution to Indo-American Society: Mike Honda has
represented the 15th Congressional District of California in the
U.S. House of Representatives since 2001. In the U.S. House of Representatives
and serves on the Appropriations Committee, with postings on that
body's Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education , Commerce,
Justice, and Science , and Legislative Branch Subcommittees. As
an appropriator, Mike will focus on directing funding to address
such fundamental needs as: Access to affordable healthcare; worker
training; port and border security; adequate law enforcement to
keep our streets and neighborhoods safe; health care for our veterans;
recovery from natural disasters and education. Mike is serving his
second term as Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American
Caucus , coordinating with his colleagues in the Congressional Black
Caucus and the Congressional Hispanic Caucuses to champion the causes
of under-represented communities by promoting social justice, racial
tolerance, and civil rights. In February 2005, Mike was elected
as Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee. In his role
as DNC Vice-Chair, Mike works closely with DNC Chair Howard Dean
to rejuvenate the Party's grassroots efforts and to incorporate
new and emerging constituencies into the Party's agenda.
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