QUEENS, NY (TIP): A borough wide search by the Times Ledger Newspapers identified five members of the Indian Community who merited the Queens Ambassadors Award “Honoring immigrants who make Queens great” which will be bestowed on January 26, 2017 at the Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony to be held at LaGuardia Plaza Hotel in Queens. They are Harbachan Singh, Malini Shah, Dr. Uma Mysorekar, Dr. Dheeraj Kamalam and Jagir Singh Bains.

Harbachan Singh is a former Chairman of the United Nations Headquar ters Committee on Contracts and since his retirement has been a community activist in Queens for the past several years. He serves or served as a President of several organizations including the Sikh American Friendship foundation, the Queens Civic Congress, the Saul Weprin Democratic Club, the Holocaust Center at the Queens borough Community College and on the Boards of Queens Borough President’s General Assembly, Queens District Attorney’s Advisory Council, Committee Chair of Community Board 8 and First Vice President of Queens Hospital Center’s Advisory Board. His activity involves giving testimony at the NYC Council Hearings, addresses at Churches and government agencies or institutions and fighting for the Queens residents vis a vis the authorities especially on quality of life issues. He is a recipient of numerous accolades and awards for his work and contribution.

Ms. Malini Shah is a well -known community leader who is currently President of her diamond company, Difference Inc. In addition to running a successful jewelry business, Malini is the founder of Nritya Kala Kendra, Inc., a cultural organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the ancient and modern arts of India.

Through classes, workshops, lectures, visiting artist programs, Nritya Kala Kendra presents numerous educational programs all around New York City and abroad. She has spent more than 30 years teaching children in some of India’s most prestigious schools, including the Modern School, one of India’s most distinguished educational institutions, sat on the Advisory Board of Queens Museum, Queens. She also serves as cultural ambassador and a community icon, and has traveled extensively all over the world for festivals sponsored by Indian Tourism Development, and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations. At present, she serves and volunteers as a Community and Cultural Liaison for Council Member Paul Vallone. She also Volunteers and serves as representative for NYC Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito to the Museum of Arts and Design Board of Trustees in Manhattan. Malini also serves on The Cinton Democratic Club, Executive Board as Membership Chair. Malini has received many prestigious awards such as “Jewel of India Award. City Council Citations, “Outstanding Mother Award” by C.A.P.S.C, Hind Ratan Award for Outstanding Service, Positive Indo-American Image Award. Leadership in the Arts and Culture from Assemblyman Nick Perry,” Exceptional women Award” to name a few.

Malini lives with her husband, Niles Shah, in Queens. Mr. Shah also shares his wife’s love of community service and has actively helped the community by assisting and supporting those who want to make a difference.