Four Indians among 25 Most Influential Asian Americans

Great moment of pride
Four Indians among 25 Most Influential Asian Americans

By Ravi R. Ponangi

Georgia Asian Times hosted an awards dinner to celebrate this year's 25 Most Influential Asian Americans in Georgia at Nam Phuong Restaurant in Norcross on Thursday, July 15. What was of great significance and legitimate pride was the list of awardees included four Indians - Shiv Aggarwal, Dr. Rama Rao Amara, Ph.D., Dr. Sujatha Reddy and Dr. Seshu Sarma

The awards are in recognition of the impact made in different spheres like arts, business, government, politics, social work, education, research, judiciary, and in like fields. Some names are familiar as they constantly striven to enrich our community and make Georgia a better place to live. Some less known personalities are also recognized for their contribution to the public life of Georgia.

Over 200 guests who attended the awards function included Hon. Takuji Hanatani, Consul General of Japan, Hon. Larry Tseng, Director General of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, Madam Sue Everhart, Chair of Georgia's Republican Party, and Alex Wan, Atlanta City Council member.

This was the fifth successive year Georgia Asian Times is honoring Asian Americans in Georgia who have influenced the quality of life of American Asians living here.

"There are 16 new honorees this year; 12 are women honorees; and 8 individuals are repeat honorees from previous years," said Li Wong, publisher of Georgia Asian Times in his address on the occasion.

Awardees are selected based on the nominations submitted by journalist from several local Asian newspapers including Indian Tribune, World Journal, and Korea Times.
Hugh Hu, master of ceremony for the evening presented a brief profile for each award winner. Several honorees of the evening appealed for more active participation by Asian Americans in the coming primaries and general elections.

This year's 25 honorees, were drawn from diverse backgrounds including business, education, legal, legislative, medicine, non-profit, and government.
"I am impressed with the depth and different background of the honorees. It goes to shows that Asian Americans are giving back to the community and improving the lives of others," said Alex Wan, first Asian American elected to Atlanta City Council.
The names of the 25 honorees finalized in consultation with Asian American Heritage were officially announced earlier in May this year.
"The awards is to recognize the contributions by the 25 honorees and hopefully, to inspire someone along the way," added Wong.

Profile of Indian Awardees

	Shiv Aggarwal is the president & CEO of American Management Services. He migrated to USA in 1982 and started as a real estate agent in Baton rouge, Louisiana. He moved to Atlanta in 1987 and started investing in mid scale properties. For the past 15 years, Aggarwal has successfully invested in several large apartment complexes, shopping centers and hotels. Aggarwal is currently working on his dream project of creating North America’s first Indian indoor mall. A firm believer in giving back to the community, he has opened the doors of the mall for social causes. “Global Mall has two-in-one purpose - a shopping mall and a community hub” he explains.
	Dr. Rama Rao Amara, Ph.D. is a Research Associate Professor in the division of Microbiology and Immunology of the Yerkes National Primate Research Center of Emory University and Associate Professor in the Emory School of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Immunology. As a Research Associate, Dr. Amara played a major role in the preclinical development of the AIDS vaccine now in phase I clinical trails. Now as an EVC faculty member, Dr. Amara is working to develop a version of this vaccine that could be used to control the spread of AIDS in the Indian subcontinent.
	Dr. Sujatha Reddy is a Psychiatrist in River Edge Behavioral Health Center and founder & activist of SAI health fair. The latest health fair has conducted over 300 EKGs, more than 150 vision and glaucoma screenings, over 50 bone density tests, and over 340 blood tests. Multiply these numbers by 23—the number of health fairs held so far – and you get close to the number of patients who are the beneficiaries of the philanthropic services of Dr. Sujatha Reddy, the driving force behind these health fairs. SAI health fair is a charitable forum providing free and low cost medical services to the poor, uninsured, and the underinsured.
	Dr. Seshu Sarma is Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Morehouse School of Medicine. Dr. Sarma is an illustrious medical personality who provides clinical care to women in general and reproductive health care to women who are infected with HIV at the Fulton county Health Department’s Ryan white Program. She served as a consultant to Emory University’s Regional Training Center for 16 years. Twice she won “The Best Teacher Award” from More House School of Medicine. She is widely regarded not only as an outstanding teacher but also for creating awareness of Indian arts and culture in these parts of America. Dr. Seshu Sarma is a writer and proficient in playing veena. She had raised several thousands of dollars for Shankara Netralaya, the premium eye-care Institute in India. Dr. Seshu also played a pivotal role in helping Bhutanese refugees to settle down in Atlanta

aug-20-2010