NYC Mayor honours India-born woman for promoting cultural literacy
Darpan News Desk IANS, 25 May, 2023 02:09 PM
New York, May 25 (IANS) India-born entrepreneur and author Anu Sehgal has been honoured by New York City Mayor Eric Adams for promoting South Asian cultural literacy in the US.
Sehgal, founder and president of The Culture Tree, was honoured on Tuesday at the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Reception 2023 in New York, which was attended by 800 prominent members of the diaspora and Asian communities.
"We're applauding you for your effort to foster cross-cultural exchange while uniting our vibrant South Asian community together, we look forward to the many ways you have helped the AAPI New Yorkers and you will continue to make a positive difference," Mayor Adams said.
The Mayor added that he is pleased to recognise the accomplishments of Sehgal, "a proud Indian-American who has strengthened New York for nearly two decades".
The Meerut-born author has lived in America for over two decades, having moved to New York from Delhi in 1995, post her graduation.
Sehgal says after moving to the US, she was starved for authentic Indian experiences and community, and once she became a parent, the lack of quality and authentic Indian programs and classes became even more evident to her.
As an active parent, Sehgal says that an awareness of one's heritage, culture and language is key for children to become self-aware and confident individuals.
"As a cultural educator, I am looking forward to providing children with authentic, immersive and inspiring experiences. Through classes and events, we can offer cross-cultural exposure that can help shape knowledgeable, open-minded and respectful individuals," Sehgal says in her website bio.
She founded The Culture Tree in 2016 with an aim to provide South Asian children with the opportunity to learn about and be proud of their South Asian Culture.
India-born Murthy graduated from Stella Maris College in Chennai and the University Law College in Bengaluru, after which she immigrated to the US and enrolled in Harvard Law School.
Tambar most recently served as Vice President of Community Health at Northwell Health and is currently the President and CEO of New York Junior Tennis & Learning (NYJTL) -- the largest non-profit youth tennis and education program in the country, serving 85,000 K-12 NYC youth.
Seen as a "natural fit" for the task force, Bendapudi, who is the president of the Pennsylvania State University, comes with a 30-year career as a leader in higher education and business, a Pennsylvania State University release said.
He secured an MSc in Mathematics at Andhra University in 1941, an M.A. in statistics from Calcutta University in 1943 and a PhD degree at King's College in Cambridge University in 1948. Cambridge University awarded him the prestigious Sc.D. degree in 1965, and he has received 31 Honorary Doctoral degrees from universities in 18 countries.
Subramaniam is an Air and Space Operations Manager, whose service in the last 15 years has predominantly been in the Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS), Missile Warning (MW), Space Domain Awareness (SDA), and Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) field.
Viraj Patel, a second-year doctoral student in the University's School of Communication, was recognised for his "exemplary skill and dedication". Patel has always been heavily involved in public speaking and communication, which became his way of defining himself, according to a University statement.
