NEW YORK (TIP): Dr. Sadhna Shanker, a senior government of India, ministry of finance officer and wife of Dnyaneshwar M. Mulay, Consul General of India in New York, was felicitated at a meet and greet event organized by Prof. Indrajit S Saluja, editor of The Indian Panorama and his wife Lovllien Kaurr at Haveli Restaurant in Queens here on November 10. Introducing Dr. Sadhna Shanker, Renee Lobo, ITV anchor, said Dr. Shanker “is a multifaceted personality.
Assemblyman David Weprin extended greeting to Mulays. Also seen are (L to R) Prof. Saluja, Mr. Malik and Mrs. Malik
Malini Shah presented a citation from Assemblyman Paul Vallone to Dr. Sadhna Shanker. Renee Lobo ( left) reads out the citation. From L to R: Renee Lobo, Malini Shah, Mr. Malik and Dr. Sadhna Shanker
Attorney Ravi Batra welcomed Mulays
Air India General Manager Rishikant Singh extended a word of welcome to Dr. Sadhna Shanker and Ambassador Mulay.
She is an administrator, a literary artist, a theater artist and a journalist, in her own right. One of the senior officers with Ministry of Finance, department of Revenue Services, Dr. Shanker has held a number of important administrative positions. At present, she is Advisor Advocacy, Competition Commission of India, a position she has been holding since March, 2013. Dr. Shanker distinguished herself as a creative writer, with her novel “Never a Disconnect” published in 2010.
Ambassador Mulay celebrated his birthday, a belated one, with the gathering.
She is almost ready with another piece of fiction. She authored a book of essays “When the Parallels Meet” on her journeys to places and cultures. Yet another book “Ahlam wa- sahlam- A Syrian Journey” was published in three languages- English, Arabic and Hindi. Dr. Shanker has been actively associated with the national television of India, Doordarshan. She scripted, hosted and anchored a number of programs.
A little celebration. The gathering broke in to a dancing session to celebrate the occasion
Dr. Sadhna Shanker and Ambassador Mulay mingled around and obliged with photograph
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Shanker exuded optimism about India’s growth. She said India was well on way to becoming a formidable economic power and praised the Indian diaspora for thinking and caring for India. About her literary plans she said she was working on a piece of fiction and would be happy to have it published soon. Dr. Shanker said she enjoyed coming to USA and, New York, in particular. She had a lot of praise for New York and the Indian American community here. Consul General Mulay obliged the gathering with a Hindi poem that depicted the loneliness of a lover whose beloved is away from him. The poem received rave appreciation. The gathering celebrated Ambassador Mulay’s birthday, a little belated one though.
Ambassador Mulay cut a cake and the gathering celebrated with a little dancing, to the great singing by the famous Sa Re Ga Ma star Asad who had traveled all the way from New Jersey. Sikander Khan sang a few soulful ghazals to the accompaniment on Tabla by Shams Khan. The two are in attendance at Haveli to entertain guests on week ends. Present on the occasion were around a hundred men and women drawn from various sections of society. Those who spoke on the occasion included Assemblyman David Weprin who extended his greetings to Mulays and the gathering and spoke of great relationship between USA and India.
Ravi Batra, Rishikant Singh, Prof. Saluja and Mr. Malik also spoke. Mrs. & Mr. Malik, owners of Haveli restaurant, who also own Tamba Restaurant in Manhattan, were gracious enough to provide sumptuous hospitality. Maliks have a chain of restaurants and Mrs. Malik is one of the best known chefs in the city. Mr. Malik had been a senior government of India official and had worked with two prime ministers of India. After retirement he moved to USA and got in to hospitality business. The couple is very popular in Indian social circle, both for their tasty bites and for their warmth of relationship. Earlier, on arrival, Dr. Sadhna Shanker and Ambassador Mulay were warmly received with bouquets by Mrs. & Prof. Saluja, and, Mrs. & Mr. Malik. Dr. Shanker was presented a citation by Malini Shah on behalf of New York City Councilmember Paul Vallone.