8th annual SABAN Business Awards to Six Asians for community contributions

“Conquest without contribution is without significance”- Mr. Dave Naidu

Los Angeles, July 03, 2014
NRIpress-Club/GarySingh/Ramesh

The 8th annual SABAN Business Awards Gala took place at the Crowne Plaza Los Angeles Harbor Hotel in San Pedro on June 27, 2014. SABAN stands for the “South Asian Business Alliance Network.” This organization was founded in 2007 by Mohammed Islam and has been the Executive Director of this group since. SABAN organizes with various community biz organizations and alliance networks ranging from the Pakistani America Chamber of Commerce, Cal Asian Chamber of Commerce, and the USC MBEN Business expansion network with the ultimate goal of uniting south Asians from all backgrounds to contribute to economic prosperity and global leadership in business.

The event was MC’d by strategic speaker Dave Naidu. Keynote VIP speakers included Hon. Patricia Loui of Export Import Bank, Suja Lowenthal, councilmember of the city of Long Beach, Councilmember Ali Sajjad Taj of the city of Artesia, Miriam Scott Long from LA Metro, 2013 SABAN Chairperson Prakash Pancholi, and current Chairperson Aziz Ahmed of SABAN. Along with Mr. Islam and Chairperson Aziz Ansari, a total of 6 awardees were recognized for their outstanding achievements to go above and beyond “business” and focus on community contributions.

The Best South Asian American Woman Entrepreneur was awarded to Palbinder Badesha for opening the Riverside Franchisee of Express Employment Professionals, an international staffing company creating employment for thousands of residents with local businesses. Mr. Jafar Rashid was awarded the Best South Asian Pakistani American Entrepreneur for his extensive Franchisee training and education specialty as part of the Chevron Dealer Certificate program.

The Best South Asian American Media Entrepreneur award was given to Veera Mahajan, President of Malibu Chronicle. Her work expands her multi-media publication by focusing on inspirational, educational and spiritual editorials. Her work includes authoring the book “ L.I.V.E.” and the producing the film “Unreported” based on creating awareness of domestic violence.

The Best Bangladeshi American Entrepreneur was awarded Moazzem Chowdhury, President of MJM Healthcare System, Inc. He currently owns and operates two pharmacies in the desert area and gives back by engaging in community health fairs in the Santa Clarita Valley to ensure residents receive their annual flu vaccinations as extending his knowledge and experience in pharmaceutics to senior centers. Mohinder Singh Birdi was awarded The Best South Asian American Excellence in Service Award for his founding and expansion of Birdi and Associates, Inc (B&A, Inc). B&A, Inc is an engineering consulting firm providing top quality customer service in project management to software development and includes instilling efficiencies in developing the San Diego International Airport terminals.

Lastly, Ms. Rubina Chaudhary was awarded the Best South Asian American Entrepreneur. She is founder and president of MARRS Services, Inc, a management, engineering and environmental services firm. Her community service extends to founding Family Management Matters (FMM), an NPO dedicated to strengthening the family unit by providing educational, financial and wellness development. Sponsors and Supporters for the event included LA Metro, Union Bank, MARRS, Inc, MJM Healthcare, Covered California, So Cal Edison, Malibu Chronicle, Express Employment, Amy Ghosh Law, and UMS Banking.

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