ASHOK OJHA, FORDS, NJ (TIP)

Dozens of speakers including Ambassador Riva Ganguly Das, Consul-General of India in New York, paid glowing tribute to HR Shah, Chairman and CEO of TV ASIA, who recently received the PadmaShri award from the President of India in New Delhi.

The event was organized by the Federation of Indian Association at Royal Albert’s Palace in Fords, New Jersey.

Shah has been associated with numerous social and cultural organizations in USA including being the founder member of Global Organizations  of

People of Indian Origin and a past president and trustee of the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA). Congratulating Shah for being the recipient of the Padma Award, Consul-General Das said, “Shah is a deserving person whose contributions are well recognized in USA and in India. The Government of India recognized his services for the community and for the people of Indian origin. He made remarkable contribution towards strengthening the Indo- US ties”.

“The Government of India has recognized Shah as a leading personality who helped uplift the status of literature, journalism, and entertainment world.”, said Dr. Sudhir Parikh, Chairman of Parikh Worldwide Media. Parikh, himself a recipient of PadmaShri. Parikh commented that Shah’s generous attitude towards the Indian-American community has been well recognized by the Government of India.

Dr. Navin Mehta, a fellow trustee of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (USA), complimented Shah for his hard work as an entrepreneur and philanthropist. Mehta was the only speaker who delivered his speech in Hindi at the event. He pointed out that Shah, with his nature, was a busy person always contemplating new ideas. He is a true role model for the community”.

Shah is the Chairman and Trustee of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (USA), which dedicated an auditorium, “Romanti Auditorium”, in memory of H.R. Shah’s late daughter.

Andy Bhatia, president of FIA, said that Shah made untiring efforts to strengthen various activities for improving the image of India in USA. “One such activity is the India Day Parade in New York City, launched many decades ago with the active support of H. R. Shah.”

Shah, who made an emotional speech at the event, said that his life has been a difficult journey that taught him many lessons. “I faced financial losses in my previous enterprises, but was able to turn around the business at TV Asia with hard work”, he pointed out. “I am dedicated to my people and my community. I have great interest in literature and journalism which propelled me to the current level of recognition.”

Shah has received numerous awards and honors in the past including the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor, the highest award conferred to honor the immigrant communities. The medal is presented to prominent persons who display significant contributions to their own communities and to the United States at large.

Shah is the first NRI to run a 24/7 TV Channel, TV Asia, coast-to-coast throughout North America since 1993, reflecting his diverse interests. The channel was founded by Bollywood super star Amitabh Bachchan. TV ASIA has been a pioneer, produced in America, with local coverage (English, Hindi, Gujarati) in all major cities of the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. TV Asia is viewed on Echo Star (Dish Network) as well as various cable platforms. Shah has also launched a 24/7 free broadcast ethnic Radio Station called “Radio Chai,” all over USA.

Shah was nominated the first Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Asian American Retailers Association, that represented more than 50,000 retailers in the United States.

Others who spoke on the occasion included Albert Jassani, Ramesh Patel and trustees of the FIA.