NEW YORK(TIP): New York based Dr. Raj Bhayani  was honored by Vivek Oberoi and Kailash Vijayvargiya, BJP General Secretary at the India Day Parade and Festival of Globe in San Francisco California with the Inspirations to Indian Americans Award on Sunday, August 18th.

Dr. Raj Bhayani, an accomplished neurosurgeon, social activist, entrepreneur, leader, and the first ENT surgeon in India, was honored for his inspiring leadership and achievements in his medical profession and community service.

In his acceptance speech, Dr. Bhayani, while thanking the organizers for the event for bestowing the award, referred to India, a great and the largest democracy, which is growing steadily under the strong leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Patriotism, which is in our hearts is seen in our actions,” he said. “This Independence Day has a very special meaning for India and all of us, as India, for the first time in our 73 years of Independence history, is going in the right direction.”

Dr. Bhayani, who had completed training in Neurosurgery and had a Fellowship in Facial Plastic & Micro vascular Surgery in India, is currently practicing Medicine in New York. An active member and currently serving as the Treasurer of AAAPI, Dr. Bhayani has held several positions in AAPI and has grown with the organization. He is the President-Elect AAPI-QLI, one of the largest Chapters of AAPI.

His accomplishments in the professional world are well known. During the duration of his medical profession, more than 50 research papers have been published and presented by him, which has resulted in inclusion of his name in the Marquis ‘Who’s Who in America in Medicine and Healthcare’ acknowledging his achievements in the medical field.

Not satisfied with his professional accomplishments, Dr. Bhayani has devoted his life to being actively involved in the philanthropic sector. He currently serves on the boards, and is an active member, of over 20 communities and associations that are involved in philanthropic activities. In addition, he has also served on the Board of Trustees of Save Life Foundation, which has helped in the implementation of Good Samaritan Law and Road Safety Bill to help roadside accident victims and to improve road safety in India.

Passionate about giving back to the larger society, Dr. Bhayani says, “Inspired by many individuals, who lead by example. Cause is the driving than actual person.” His life has been an example of how to give back to the community, which has given him much.  “Even since childhood, I had the desire to be someone, who wanted to contribute to the common good.”

Recently, he was the chief organizer for ‘Football for Nation’ initiative, in Delhi, by bringing Parliamentarians and Film stars together to play a game of football to raise funds for Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. Besides, his significant contributions in organizing several health and blood donation camps as well as fund raisers for Aksharpatra, helping millions of kids with Mid-day meal program in India, have earned him great respect and appreciation in the society. He is grand Patron for India Day Parade for celebrating India’s Independence Day in New York.

Imbibed with this passion, Dr. Bhayani did not have to look for opportunities. They actually came his way. “In the society we live in, there are ample of opportunities to do good,” he says. “I always look upon in my friends who do larger good and have tried to join them or find noble causes that I can support or initiate, with the objective of doing little acts of kindness. I believe small acts of kindness by many of us can achieve tremendous impact on humanity than individual acts.”

The unassuming Dr. Bhayani was instrumental in organizing Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s historic address to the Indian – American community at Madison Square Garden, during his maiden visit to New York in September 2014.

A distinguished Guest Speaker, as a proponent of the Honorable Prime Minister’s vision for India, on popular regional TV shows in USA, Dr. Bhayani is one of the foremost members of the Indian community who has worked tirelessly in increasing awareness of the Prime Minister’s initiatives in the USA, which in return has resulted in the remittance of funds to India for the implementation of these initiatives. His work is an exemplary example of his commitment towards India’s progress.

His outstanding support to the society in his roles as a physician, a leader, and as a philanthropist have not gone unnoticed. Dr. Bhayani has received dozens of awards, recognition and scholarships. He has been felicitated on several platforms and his list of accolades includes Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Samman Award at House of Lords in London, Bharat Gaurav Puraskar and Delhi Ratan Award, Hind Ratan Award, Asian American Heritage Honoree of the year 2016, New York City as well as State Proclamation Award. He has also been awarded ‘United States Congressional Achievement Award’ and is also the recipient of the ‘Most Influential Leader in Indian Community in United States’ recognition award. He has received USA Triologic Society award for his research papers. He has held various leadership positions in the healthcare field and leading hospitals in New York heading the ENT and Facial Plastic Surgery divisions.

With ambitions to grow as a national leader of AAPI, Dr. Bhayani says, “Since my association with AAPI, I have seen with awe and inspiration, how this noble organization has grown over the past 37 years.  AAPI has a very strong future with its  highly educated, skilled and dedicated membership and leadership. AAPI has a greater role to play in the national arena. And, AAPI is ready to march on and I am there to be part of this great organization and all its diverse and talented membership to make this noble organization a great force with a stronger voice to accomplish its many lofty goals.”

(Based on a Press Release)