NEW YORK, NY (TIP): A prominent leader of the business community of Queens and a long time leader of Jackson Heights Merchants’ Association, a strong organization of South Asian Merchants in Jackson Heights, presently its Chairman and Chief Patron, Shiv Dass was honored by the City Council of New York for his tremendous contribution towards forging better understanding among the communities, encouraging interaction to foster unity, cooperation and understanding among different organizations, and establishing closer relationship with the elected officials.

Shiv Dass was honored by New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn with a New York City Proclamation in the City Council Chambers in the presence of several Council Members which included Council Member Daniel Dromm who represents Jackson Heights. Speaker Christine Quinn congratulated Shiv Dass for the honor conferred on him, as part of the celebration of the Immigrants Month, and lauded his contribution towards the betterment of Jackson Heights community.

Council Member Daniel Dromm appreciated the singular services of Shiv Dass as a community leader and mentioned, in particular, his constructive approach as a member of Community Board. Dromm also spoke of his long association with the Jackson Heights Merchants’ Association and his initiative in getting the 74th Street named after the Indian American astronaut Kalpana Chawla, and organization of various functions and festivals, with the famous Diwali celebration topping the list.

He said the contribution of Shiv Dass to the betterment of Jackson Heights will ever be part of history. The Indian Panorama recognized Shiv Dass’s noteworthy contribution in various fields and chose to do his profile as an eminent personality in its New Year 2012 special edition, which is available in archives section of The Indian Panorama website www.theindianpanorama.news. We wish many more honors and awards to this indefatigable community leader who has already been honored with one of the highest awards of Americathe Ellis Island Medal of Honor