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Amjad, Two Americans Honoured

Suman Guha Mozumder
India Abroad Correspondent in New York

Sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan and two renowned American scholars who have "dedicated their life's work to India" were honoured at a gala banquet by the Association of Indians in America in New York on Sunday night.

An estimated 200 guests, who included diplomats, doctors and academics, were present at the Grand Hyatt Hotel to watch the AIA's 22nd National Honour Awards ceremony that began with the national anthems of the United States and India.

"Today's ceremony celebrates the outstanding achievements and contributions of three distinguished individuals representing different spheres of activity," said AIA president Piyush Agrawal in his opening remarks, referring to Amjad Ali Khan, Professor Robert A F Thurman and Professor George Cardona.

While Prof Cardona, a noted Sanskrit scholar, is universally known for his scholarly interpretation of the entire Indian grammatical tradition, especially the work of Panini, Prof Thurman is known as an authority on Tibetan history and culture, especially the teachings of the Buddha.

"AIA will continue to fulfil its role in trying to bring about a better understanding between the peoples of India and the United States, responsive to the needs not only of the Asian Indian community, but also of the larger community as the pioneers of the AIA intended," Agrawal said.

The AIA also honoured Dr Nirmal Mattoo, its past president and one of the most popular leaders of the community.

In accepting the awards, consisting of a citation, all the recipients remembered their gurus in what they said was the true Indian tradition.

"I am accepting this honour in the name of my gurus, Pandit Jagannath Shastri and Pandit Raghunath Sharma," Cardona said.

Amjad Ali Khan, who was introduced by Harsh Bhasin, who is now visiting professor of international relations at the State University of New York, Stony Brook, remembered his father as he accepted the honour. "I am a humble man carrying on the tradition of my father," he said.

Thurman, who quoted in Sanskrit from Shantideva, an eighth century Indian scholar, talked about India's great traditions and culture. "I think India has relatively stayed ignored in America," he said while delivering the keynote address.

The event was sponsored by Wyckoff Heights Medical Centre, Mattoo and Bhat Medical Associates, Brooklyn Hospital, HSBC, Infinity Foundation and Vision Financial Services, among others.

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