NEW YORK (TIP): Anil Bansal, Past President of FIA, a successful serial entrepreneur, ambassador and promoter of Indian arts and culture, and a great humanitarian, was felicitated as The South Asian Times Person of the Year (POY) 2022 at the Consulate of India here on January 21. The event was oversubscribed with the presence of who is who of the Indian diaspora of the New York metro area.

At the graceful event, immediate past Person of the Year Mohan Wanchoo presented a shawl and Consul General Randhir Jaiswal presented the crystal plaque honoring Anil Bansal POY-2022 on behalf of  Forsythe Media Group. Joining in the presentation were Kamlesh C Mehta (Chairman, Forsythe Media), Ankur Vaidya (Chairman, FIA), Dr Nirmal Mattoo (Chairman, IAAC), Chintu Patel (CEO, Amneal Pharmaceuticals), and Haridas Kotahwala (Chairman, Navika group). Mrs. Nimmi Mehta presented a floral bouquet to Mrs. Kumud Bansal.

As a surprise but memorable moment of the evening came when on request of FIA, Consul General Jaiswal presented to Bansal the Pravasi Bharatiya Medal conferred on FIA, which was honored by the Indian government for its commendable service in India and the US during Covid during Bansal’s presidency. Noticeably, Anil Bansal was president of FIA during the peak of COVID-19, and he was instrumental in sending over $50 Million worth of aid from FIA to India during the pandemic.

Speaker after speaker praised the publication and Bansal’s accomplishments and services to the community and society. Kamlesh Mehta highlighted Bansal’s humility and selflessness, mentioning that it was hard to convince him to accept POY honor. Ankur Vaidya spoke on behalf of FIA (Federation of Indian Associations – NY-NY-CT-NE) and Rakesh Kaul and Dr Mattoo for IAAC (Indo-American Arts Council). POY Bansal  has supported both organizations for decades.

Bansal’s extended family, friends and colleagues were present in full strength at the event. His son, Avin Bansal, CFO and investor, and daughter Neha Hannan, a lawyer, expressed their love and admiration for him. Nephew Dr Sharad Sahu, an internist, shared some family anecdotes involving Anil Bansal.

Anil Bansal in his acceptance speech expressed gratitude for the honor and went on to share his life experiences. He concluded by sharing the life lesson of ‘giving back’: “I and Kumud felt that we have enough financial resources for the rest of our lives for what we want to do and how we want to live.”

The newspaper featuring Anil Bansal as POY 2022 was also launched at the event by the Consul General. Copies of the issue were distributed to the attendees and coffee mugs gifted by alotusinthemug.com web magazine.

The South Asian Times could not formally felicitate Mohan Wanchoo, POY 2021 because of Covid, so he was honored with a shawl  by Kamlesh Mehta and crystal plaque by Haridas Kotahwala. Other past POYs who were honored and who spoke at the event included  Chintu Patel (2017), Haridas Kotahwala  (Navika – TSAT Organization of the Year 2018), and Ankur Vaidya (FIA was Organization of the Year 2015 during his presidency). Pam Kwatra, a renowned community leader, Shailesh ‘Sam’ Jain, Chairman of Cheapoair, and prominent community leaders Karamjit Singh Dhaliwal, Jasbir Jay Singh, Alok Kumar Dr. Avinash Gupta, Rajeev Kaul, Sunil Shah, Saurin Parikh, and Sujata Seth were among the attendees.

The event was emceed by the famous Bollywood & Hollywood actor Prashantt Guptha.

A sumptuous vegetarian dinner created by Michelin Star decorated chef Hemant Mathur was served.

The proceedings of the event were supported by Eric Kumar, Totee Wadhwa, Nicky Jagda and Parveen Chopra. Chopra’s wellness and spirituality website, alotusinthemud.com was launched after the felicitation.