Bharat Gaurav Award
by Mahadev Desai
Shiv Aggarwal is one of the high profile, respected and loved
faces in Atlanta community. Articulate, genial, courteous,
modest and hospitable Aggarwal is a dynamic, innovative,
multi-tasking real estate entrepreneur, owner and CEO of
 Atlanta’s
iconic Global Mall, social activist and big hearted
philanthropist ever willing to support worthy humanitarian
causes to help the community. Punjab born Shiv graduated in
Business Studies from Delhi University and immigrated to Baton
Rouge, Louisiana in 1982 where he launched his business career
in real estate. Due to economic downturn, he moved to Atlanta
four years later. He honed his entrepreneurial skills by dealing
in shopping centers, office complexes and residential
apartments. He and his beloved wife Anushi married in 2001. In
the same year,he acquired Global Mall which at the time was a
rundown health and fitness Mall. Shiv renovated and refurbished
the 222,000 sq.ft.two-storey Mall which is now Atlanta’s
favorite business, social and cultural beehive. It is the first
premier indoor South Asian Mall in North America. It has over
800 parking spots and weekly attendance of 6000 to 8,000.
Shiv’s dream initiative-Global Mall’s Global Mela is a signature
event eagerly anticipated by the Atlanta community. The 15th
Global Mela attracted over 15,000 visitors.
Shiv Aggarwal, as a social activist and generous philanthropist
never hesitates to support any worthy outreach cause. As
President of the Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation he has hosted many
events to get sponsorships for Ekal schools. He is also a member
of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and life member of IACA.
Under Shiv’s Chairmanship of the Board of Directors for the
Gwinnett Village C.I.D. (Community Improvement District) for the
past several years, projects aimed at improving the quality of
life of the Gwinnett County residents by better infrasturucture,
police protection, and beautification by landscaping and street
scaping of the county have been successfully implemented.
Humanitarian and compassionate Shiv is ever willing to give
accommodation in the Global Mall to non-profit organizations. He
has also leased space rent-free to GAPI Volunteers Clinic and
for GOPIO office.
Shiv’s entrepreneurial acumen and social activism and
philanthropy have not gone unrecognized. His services have been
recognized by IACA, GOPIO, VHP of America, GA Asian Times etc.
Shiv was recognized by the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce as one
of the top 50 finalists for “Pinnacle Top 25’for extraordinary
growth and contribution to the community.
When time permits, Shiv likes to read philosophical and
motivational writings. His favorite authors are spiritual Guru
Acharya Rajneesh; Anthony Robbins and Deepak Chopra. Shiv is
deeply religious and a yoga practitioner. He also enjoys long
walks outdoors when weather permits.
Shiv and Anushi have a son Vishal and two daughters Aarti and
Vandana.
On January 6, 2015, Shiv was bestowed with the prestigious
Bharat Gaurav Award at the Le Meridian in New Delhi, by the
India International Friendship Society, which held its Annual
Global Friendship Day and the Bharat Gaurav Award Ceremony. The
event kickstarted with an inspiring speech by the Chairman of
IIFS and the former CBI Director Mr. Sardar Joginder Singh. He
discussed his work as a CBI Director and the growth he has seen
India make over the last few decades; told many stories of his
encounters with NRIs all over the world who are making great
achievements in various fields. Mr. Singh was followed by other
dignitaries motivating the audience with achievements of their
own. Dr. Bhishma Narain Singh, the former governor of Tamil Nadu
and Assam, recited the words of Gandhiji, “Respect your mother,
your mother tongue, and motherland”.
The Bharat Gaurav Award is given every year in recognition of
contribution and dedication to worthy causes and achievements in
keeping (the flag of India high) making Indians proud around the
world. This year, Mr. Shiv Aggarwal from Atlanta, GA was chosen
to receive the Bharat Gaurav Award, along with only 22 other
individuals from all over the world. Mr. Shiv Aggarwal won his
award for his achievement in bringing the South Asian community
in Georgia, as well as, the Southeast together through the
medium of Global Mall and his contributions to many non-profit
organizations, such as Ekal Vidyalaya and VHP. The awards were
presented by Dr. Bhishma Narain Singh, the former governor Tamil
Nadu and Assam, along with multiple other dignitaries from
around the world. The event was followed by a traditional
Punjabi dinner and drinks.
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