EDISON, NJ (TIP):South Asian community Outreach (SACO) true to its Charter to serve the South Asian Community of New Jersey held its first ever by any South Asian Community organization; “South Asian Women Empowerment” Conference at Akbar Hotel on Feb. 11, 2014.

The event was opened by Prachi Makkar with the beautiful rendition of US National Anthem. US born Prachi is known for her academic, theatrical, singing and leadership achievements in High School. At present she is a freshman in Leadership Development Business Honor Program at Seaton Hall University, New Jersey.

During the course of the event well know South Asian women were honored for their contributions for serving the community and for their personal success in various field like Medical, Engineering, Computers, Financial Industry and Politics. Despite severe cold weather and working day still the event was attended by impressive list of well known individuals from the South Asian community surpassing more then 250 people.

Those honored included Shumyla Rana known for her work for women in Pakistan who is also the current member of Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif‘s Party in Legislative Assembly of Pakistan, Dr. Anurita Kapur M.D. the founder and President of Universal Peace Organization, Dr. Nimisha Shukla, Dr. Kalpana Kumari, Dr. Rabia Awan, Varsha Naik, well known choreographer and CEO of Navarang Dance/Drama Academy, professional engineer Asma Hashmi, entrepreneur Anita Khawaja, insurance & financial planner Seema Jagtiani, educationist Nusrat Sohail, founder of popular Hindu religious event Dussehra Mrs. Chanchal Gupta, founder of first South Asian radio EBC Mrs. Alka Agrawal, an internationally famous singer Nida Irtaaza, civil rights attorney Nazish Agha, immigration attorney Jay Shree Patel, ITM founder working for humanity in India Sandhya Rao., and event planner Kajol Bishnoi. Seema Jagtiani hosted the honoring ceremony.

SAWE Conference was also attended by NJ State Senator Linda Greenstein, Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula, Assemblywomen Nancy Pinkin, and Assemblyman Pat Diegnan. Middlesex County Freeholder Charles Tomaro, Metuchen Council Women Dorothy Rumsfield, Mayor of Edison Tom Lankey, Edison Councilman Alvero Gomez, NAACP Metuchen Edison Area Branch, President Reggie Johnson and Seton Hall Business Professor for over 30 years Dr. A.D. Amar. Dr. Nimisha Shukla M.D. on behalf of A.R.T.S spoke on Autism. There were many other women entrepreneur and activist from South Asian community along with the entire team of SACO who attended the SAWE Conference.

Sam Khan founder SACO gave special thanks to H. R Shah, CEO TV Asia and Chairman SACO, Atma Singh, community leader and former President SACO, Mukul Bishnoi, founder Rudraksham Intl., Nilesh Dasondi, Col. Virendra Tavathia, all media persons for their special coverage, SACO volunteers, executive team and its committee members, sponsors and supporters of SACO for making the event yet another grand success. SACO South Asian Community Outreach is a New Jerseybased organization that promotes South Asian civic participation in the United States of America. SACO works with elected officials and candidates from all political parties including Democrats, Republicans and Independents.