NRI physician lauded by two American lawmakers

Dr Sudhir Parikh, an Indian-American, who received the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award in January month, has been honoured by two United States lawmakers for making a significant difference to the global well-being.

Based in New Jersey, Dr Parikh -- currently president of New York-based regional umbrella body 'Federation of Indian Associations' -- has made a significant difference in the US-India relations in the past several years to promote bilateral issues and raise awareness about them within the Indian community.

Congressmen Frank Pallone, a New Jersey Democrat, and Joseph Crowley, a New York Democrat, last Wednesday inserted into the Congressional Record a two-page statement congratulating Dr Parikh, who is a noted allergist in the tristate area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

"Mr Speaker, we rise today to congratulate Dr Sudhir Parikh, a prominent Indian-American physician, activist and philanthropist, who was selected earlier this year to receive the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award (2006), the highest civilian honour bestowed by India on non-resident Indians," a news release quoted the two lawmakers as saying on the floor of the House.

The statement said, "Every year, the government of India nominates extremely worthy and valuable members of the non-resident community for this award. The criteria are not formally expressed, but generally focus is only on those who have made a significant difference to the global well being. It is clear that Dr Parikh was chosen on his strong credentials."

A former president of the nationally recognised American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin as well as former president of the Indian American Forum for Political Education, he has contributed more than 2 million dollars individually to various causes such as cancer research, tsunami relief and rehabilitation of earthquake victims in his native state.

Dr Parikh had migrated to the United States from Gujarat in the late 1970s.