Honored to lead India Day Parade as Grand Marshal, Dr Arya’s leadership roles and contributions to the community have brought her many laurels.

• By Parveen Chopra

Chosen to lead the 13th India Day Parade of Long Island in Hicksville on August 25 caps many decades of community service by Dr Urmilesh Arya in both America and India, in which she has served in leadership roles in Indian community organizations.

In her message on the eve of the parade, she said, “We are celebrating the 78th Independence Day of the largest democracy on the land of the strongest and oldest democracy in the world. Our mission and vision are to promote unity, commend the hard work and sincerity of the Indian community, and remember the sacrifices of our freedom fighters.”

A true ambassador of India, she added, “Our ancestors have given us a rich heritage and culture that teaches us to live happily and help others get peace and happiness. If we work together, we all progress.”

Urmilesh Arya, MD, has had a stellar professional career. Coming to America in 1970, she earned eminence as a pediatrician and retired as Medical Director at Queensbridge Family Health Center of Wyckoff Heights Hospital. She also served as COO at Arya Gastroenterology Associates in Brooklyn, which is run by her husband, Dr Yashpal Arya.

Community service and leadership

At the turn of the century, she started serving the community, becoming a trustee of the Hindu Temple Community Center in Flushing and of the American Association of Indian Physicians—AAPI QLI chapter.

Primed for bigger responsibilities, in 2003, she was elected President of the Association of Indians in America (AIA) – New York, which organizes the annual Deepavali Festival at South Street Seaport to showcase Indian culture. She initiated Diwali celebrations at City Hall, Gracie Mansion, and the White House. Her advocacy led to free alternate street parking on Diwali in NYC. Diwali is now a school holiday in the city.

Dr Arya went on to serve as the first woman President of the National AIA in 2018, leading its Golden Jubilee event. Congressmen Tom Suozzi and Raja Krishnamoorthy, actor Anupam Kher, and honoree Dr Arthur A. Gianelli, President of the Mount Sinai Health Network, graced the event.

Dr Arya believes helping those in need is a hallmark of Indian culture. As President of the Rotary Club of Hicksville South for 2017-18, she led the club’s annual drives for school bags, winter jackets, and blankets and served food in a soup kitchen. With her team, she planted a tree in Gandhi Peace Garden on the premises of SUNY Old Westbury in a message of Indo-US friendship.

In 2017, Dr Urmilesh and Dr Yash Arya set up the India Library in Stony Brook University’s Mattoo Center for India Studies.

Service projects in India

During the Covid pandemic, Dr Arya distributed facial masks and gloves to Nassau County Medical Center and meals to essential workers. She also sent Oxygen Concentrators and Ventilators to India.

To educate the underprivileged children, the Arya couple has joined hands with Vidya Bharti to establish 5 high schools and 2 primary schools in northern states. These schools also infuse patriotism and Indian culture in the students.

Dr Urmilesh Arya has received many honors and awards, including from temples in New York, the Women’s History Month Award from Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi, a Gold Medal from the National Republican Congress Committee, and the Bharat Gaurav Award at the UN.

The Arya couple lives on Long Island. They have two sons, one daughter, and three grandchildren.