ZCZC
BFF-18
US-HOUSTON-HINDUS
10 Indian Americans in Houston honoured for their services to community,
promoting Hindu culture
HOUSTON, Dec 27, 2020 (BSS/PTI) – Ten Indian-American youths here have been
honoured for their services to the community and promoting Hindu culture.
According to the Hindus of Greater Houston (HGH), a non-profit
organisation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the winners and
called the awards an opportunity for the Indian diaspora, particularly the
youths, to further strengthen the connect with their roots.
“The winners will surely help propagate the richness of our magnificent
identity, particularly among the young generations,” Modi said in a letter to
the HGH, which honoured the youths at its 10th annual awards event on
December 19.
“The Indian diaspora settled in different parts of the world have been the
ambassadors of our glorious culture and tradition. With the noble philosophy
of love, harmony and compassion, Sanatan Dharma is a guiding light to
humanity. Its universal appeal has always attracted and influenced the people
across the world. Our rich cultural heritage is marked by a continuity
spanning thousands of years, transcending physical and geographical
boundaries,” the prime minister said.
The awardees were nominated by various Hindu faith-based organisations.
Consul General of India in Houston, Aseem Mahajan, presented the awards
and lauded the youths for displaying leadership and participation in the
community.
The awardees were Anish Nayak (Sewa International), Anusha Sathyanarayan
(Eternal Gandhi Museum of Houston), Nithya Ramankulangara (Sri Meenakshi
Temple Society), Sandeep Prabhakar (Global Organisation of Divinity), Kruthi
Patel (BAPS), Vipaschit Nanda (Arya Samaj), Abhimanyu Aggarwal (Hindu
Heritage Youth Camp) and Rajit Shah (Vallabh Vidya Mandir).
Two special awards were presented to Namita Pallod of Sanatan Hindu Dharma
and Komal Luthra of Young Hindus of Greater Houston.
Dr Madan Luthra, a 73-year-old retired scientist, was awarded the 2020
Akhil Chopra Unsung Heroes award for his selfless service during the
pandemic. He and his team stepped in during the pandemic to help community
members coping with emergencies, accidents, medical issues, death and
bereavement and family disputes. One of his biggest contributions was to
start a plasma donor registry for COVID-19 patients with Sewa volunteer
Kavita Tewary. In his keynote address, actor Nitish Bharadwaj of the popular
television serial, Mahabharat, fame, congratulated the youths for bringing
accolades to India and raising the country’s image in the world.
“Hindus have proved to the world that they assimilate wherever they go.
They not only introduce other cultures to India’s richness, but also imbibe
the positive qualities of the country they live in. NRI’s are India’s peace
ambassadors,” he said.
The event was hosted by Vallabh Priti Seva Samaj, Houston.
BSS/PTI/MSY/1338 hrs