LONG ISLAND, NY (TIP): The highly respected Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation, located in Long Island, NY, recently held a plaque-unveiling ceremony to name its Indian Cultural Unit after Dr. Saroj Shah, a retired gynecologist who worked tirelessly for many years to make the Unit a reality.

Scores of well-wishers and supporters came together on September 12, 2024, to celebrate the unveiling of the plaque at Parker’s Indian Cultural Unit, starting the event with lamp lighting and prayers for its success.

Dr. Saroj Shah, speaking to ITV Gold, gave the history of her efforts along with her husband Dr. Indravadan Shah, a surgeon, to work with Parker to establish the Unit targeted to meet the needs of Indian seniors. Starting with just 20 beds, the Unit now has 60 and will soon house 80 Indian seniors. The care is culturally specific and residents are served Indian cuisines, have television and other entertainment that is Indian, observe religious and cultural events, and have a staff that can speak several Indian languages while it takes care of their needs.

“I had a dream of making a place where all Asians can retire and have in their old age, a comfortable place to go. That place should be like our home, attuned to our customs, religion, and traditions,” she said. “My next dream is to make this unit a model for culturally sensitive health care and that can be exported regionally and nationally, so that other people can get the inspiration to start something like that.”

Padma Shri recipient Dr. Sudhir Parikh, an allergist and immunologist and chairman of Parikh Worldwide Media, said he was there to celebrate the success of his friends and to honor them for the plaque dedication. He promised the support of his media company in the endeavors of the Parker center’s Indian unit.

Mukund and Padma Mehta who are part of the Indian Cultural Unit said Parker provides “a very good facility with our Indian Unit,” noting, “Half the pain will go away” because residents are surrounded by other Indians and Indian culture. They congratulated the Shahs, as did a number of other attendees, including community leader Indu Jaiswal; Rekha Tolat, a committee member at the Indian Cultural Unit and “buddy” of Dr. Saroj Shah; Mohan Ramaswamy from the Ganesh Temple; Chandrakant Shah of the Vishnu Temple.

Jaiswal called it a “very, very special day” and “a very proud moment for our Indian community” and described Dr. Saroj Shah as a “trailblazer.” Tolat said, “It is unbelievable what they have achieved,” and that she is very proud of her friends. Tolat and other volunteers visit the Indian unit at least once a month to help with any issues that may occur.

Ramaswamy said, “Dr. Saroj Shah does not take no for an answer,” and that he was proud to be part of the group that “wanted to get it completely right.” Chandrakant Shah thanked Parker Jewish Institute for embracing the idea of the Indian Cultural Unit, and its vision for the future.

Sujata Seth, senior manager at the Indian Cultural Unit said she was “very proud that after 6 to 7 years, we have this plaque being put,” to honor the Shahs.

Dr. Shefali Shah, daughter of Drs. Saroj and Indravadan Shah, said, “My parents have worked tirelessly to make this dream come true,” when the Indian community can have a place of its own.

Mukta Kohli, cultural liaison at Parker, said the staff is dedicated to the Indian Unit, and “we give our love and care” to senior Indian residents.