The Indian Panorama

Tag: Shashi Malik

  • Prominent community leader Shashi Malik honored with Women of Distinction Award

    Prominent community leader Shashi Malik honored with Women of Distinction Award

    NEW YORK (TIP): The Annual Women of Distinction Awards Banquet began in 2016 to celebrate the important role of women and their contributions to the communities.

    Shashi Malik being honored by NY State Senate.

    The annual awards are bestowed on the most distinctive women representing business, government, education, community and not-for-profit areas. These amazing women were recognized at the September 25, 2025 awards ceremony with detailed biographies featured in the annual Women of Distinction publication, published by The Examiner.

    IALI President Shashi Malik was among the 2025 honorees.

    Shashi Malik is a businesswoman and she manages her own IT Software Company, SD Services Inc. She has a Master of Arts degree and she is a Senior System professional with experience in all aspects of Information Technology over the past 30 years. Her past assignments were as Chief Information Officer (CIO), Vice President, Director and Manager for several Fortune 1000 companies.
    She is actively involved in the Indian community providing volunteer services to several non-profit organizations, India Association of Long Island( IALI),Association of Indians in America (AIA),India Day Parade (IDP),Indian American Forum (IAF),Vegetarian Vision, Gift of Life USA, Rotary Club of Hicksville South, Suffolk County Coalition against Domestic Violence (SCCADV),RotaCare NY – Free Health Care for People in Need, Mary Brennan INN Soup Kitchen, United Methodist Church, India Vision Foundation G30 and Arya Samaj of Long Island (ASLI). Founder of Seva center for Humanity (SCH), She believes that helping our society should be one’s life goal.
    Member of “United Way Community Impact Council” and member of Long Island Hate and Bias Prevention Regional Council for bringing awareness, preventing hate and bias incidents in NY state.
    In 2013, she also received from President Barack Obama – “The President’s Volunteer Service Award “for her excellent volunteer service to the community.

    Shashi Malik is being honored in Nassau County.

    Shashi has a master’s degree and worked in the Indian Army prior to coming to the USA. She Co- Authored a book on Cross System Product (CSP) – A developer’s guide which was published by McGraw Hill.
    For her personal life she is married, has 4 children and is a long-time resident of Wantagh, Nassau County NY.

  • Thank you, Holi/Hola Organizing Committee

    The Indian Panorama is grateful to each and every member of the Organizing Committee for helping with their time, effort and expertise in making the Holi/Hola event on April 5 at Cotillion Banquet a grand success.  

    Jyoti Gupta: Coordinator

    Jyoti Gupta has worked in the corporate world and has won many accolades for her community service.

    With a Masters in Political Science from Jabalpur University, she came to the US and worked in banking institutions like Barclays Bank, Kredit Bank and ING Bank, where she rose to the rank of Assistant Treasurer.

    From 1996-2001, she ran Jwala Travel, specializing in discount travel to India and vacation packages to Europe and Caribbean countries. She went on to cofound social groups like Rafi Lata singing group, Divine Meditation, Adabi Sangam, Mehfile Sangeet, and Karaoke Club.

    Jyoti founded Long Island Ladies Circle, aimed at Women Empowerment, and helping battered women. She is also active in India Association of Long Island, Indian American Forum, and India Day Parade.

    She has received prestigious awards including: Town Of North Hempstead Community Service Award;  Senator Anna Kaplan Community Service Award;  Covid Hero Award by Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams; Community Service Excellence Award by Senator Kevin Thomas: Community Service Award by Congressman Tom Suozzi; Republic Day Community Service Award by County Executive and Independence Day Community Service Award by Nassau County.

    Anju Sharma

    Anju Sharma is a former professor, successful businesswoman , and community leader. She is CEO of JBMS Inc, where she runs a free training program for interns for job placement.

    In India, she taught at Kanya Maha Vidyalaya in Jalandhar for 16 years and was Director of Guru Nanak Dev University’s Youth Festival Team for Inter University competition. She was an inter-university record holder in swimming.

    She is currently President of the Long Island Indo-American Lions Club and has served as Jt. Treasurer Rotary Club Hicksville South, and IALI Cultural Chair. She is Secretary, Indo American Association for Community Development, Trustee of Long Island Ladies Circle, Board Member of Long Island Diversity Circle and Member of SAWAO. She is on the Advisory Board of Sanford Brown Institute, Member of United Cultural Society of NY & GCP Civic Association. She is Lifetime Sponsor of Each One Teach One in India.

    Beena Kothari

    As the incoming President of AIA-NY for 2025-2026, Beena Kothari’s extensive involvement with both Indian and American communities has left a lasting impact. Her numerous contributions to various social and cultural non-profit organizations, often in leadership roles, have been truly remarkable. Guided by the ancient Indian philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbhakam”, Beena strives to foster a sense of unity and inclusivity within the community. Her efforts aim to bring people together, ultimately serving the greater good of humanity.

     

    Dr. Abha Bhatnagar

    Dr. Abha Bhatnagar is an active member of several esteemed Indian organizations, including IDP, SEVA, and SAWAO, along with various scientific associations. Presently, she serves as the Secretary of SEWA and holds positions on the Executive Council of both IALI and SAWAO. As an author, she has written two books on Computer Education and has published numerous research papers in international journals, concentrating on Chemistry and Physics.

    Sanju Sharma

    Sanju Sharma is known for selfless service and true leadership. She has a Double Master from Guru Nanak Dev University represented it at Youth Festivals, and was a national-level swimmer. A former computer teacher at Sacred Heart School, she has worked as an Administrative Manager. Above all, she loves to serve her community in charitable and social events and promote Indian culture and heritage.

    She is the Founder of the Each One Teach One charity committee to provide education to students in need in India. She is Club Admin of LI Indo-American Lions Club, Joint Treasurer India Day Parade, Executive Member and Program Coordinator for Indo American Association for Change, Executive Member of Long Island Diversity Circle, Member of Sawao, and of GCP Civic Association.  She is also Secretary of Indo American Association for Community Development, and Communication coordinator of Long Island Ladies Circle.

    Shashi Malik

    Shashi Malik is a businesswoman and manages her own IT Software Company, SD Services Inc. Earlier, she worked at the executive level for several Fortune 100 companies.

    Currently, Shashi is the Founder and President of Seva Center for Humanity, which helps students, veterans, and needy families. She is also General Secretary for the Nargis Dutt Memorial Foundation and Executive Committee Member of the AIA-NY Chapter.

    She has been actively involved in community organizations including  IALI, India Day Parade, World Vegan Vision, Gift of Life USA, Rotary Club of Hicksville South, Suffolk County Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and INN Soup Kitchen.

    Shashi Malik is a Member of the United Way Community Impact Council and of the Long Island Hate and Bias Prevention Regional Council for bringing awareness and preventing hate and bias incidents in New York state.

    In 2013, she received the US President’s Volunteer Service Award for her service to the community.

    Shashi worked in the Indian Army on their first computer before coming to the USA. She co-authored a book on Cross System Product (CSP) – A Developer’s Guide published by McGraw Hill.

    Gunjan Rastogi

    Gunjan Rastogi is an entrepreneur, community leader, and philanthropist. After moving to the US in 1980 after graduating from Miranda House in New Delhi, she worked as a software engineer with major Wall Street firms before pursuing her dream of owning a healthcare agency.

    Gunjan holds several influential positions, contributing actively to the Indo-American and broader communities in New York. Her roles include: Chairperson of the National Indo-American Association for Senior Citizens (NIAASC), Vice President for the National Federation of Indian American Association (NFIA), Vice President for World Vegan Vision, National Secretary of the Association of Indians in America, Board Member for Queens County Board and Boys Scouts of America,  Past President of IALI.

    Gunjan is also a talented artist with awards in classical dance, singing, acting, and choreography. Her talents were showcased early on as a model for Campa-Cola and as a TV anchor for the children’s program Nanhe Munne in Lucknow.

    Jaskiran Saluja

    Jaskiran Saluja embarked on her journey in India as a life coach, initially focusing and leading her work in Bangalore. Over time, her path led her to the United States, where she now serves as a Property Manager for residential properties. With a deep interest in personal relationships, Jaskiran excels in connecting with others and fostering positive environments.

    An unexpected yet impressive skill she possesses is her talent in accounting, an area she has mastered with great proficiency. Beyond her professional endeavors, Jaskiran is a dedicated contributor to The Indian Panorama, specifically in their Indian American section, where she shares her insights and experiences.

    As the daughter of Professor Indrajit Singh Saluja, Jaskiran has been influenced by strong community values and remains committed to active involvement in initiatives that support and uplift her community. Through her contributions, she strives to ensure that her community continues to be recognized for its achievements and excellence.

    Bina Sabapathy

    Bina Sabapathy has served three record terms as President of India Association of Long Island. She is Founder of Indo American Community Voice and has organized Ganesh Festival for past three years in Hicksville. She is a Trustee and Director of Vedic Heritage (Hanuman temple), former President of World Vegan Vision, and has been associated with AWB Food Bank and the Indian American Forum.

    Bina grew up in Udupi, a holy town in Karnataka, graduated from SPP College with a double major in History & Economics and minor in Sociology. She  migrated to the US in the 1980s with her mechanical engineer husband. Her hobbies include gardening and singing.

    Amita Karwal

    Amita Karwal works as Director of a Senior Adult Care center in Nassau County, which gives her an opportunity to serve and give back to the community, especially senior citizens living in Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

    She has been a resident of Long Island for close to three decades. She is blessed with two beautiful kids who she is raising with her husband of 20+ years. “We all cherish the blissful life offered by the culturally diverse community that we live in on Long Island,” she says.

     

    Dr. Jagmohan Kalra

    A cancer and blood specialist, Dr. Jagmohan Kalra is a practicing hematologist and oncologist in New York.  She is also involved in the community, doing health talks about cancer awareness and arranging entertainment activities like singing.

    Parveen Chopra

    Founder of alotusinthemud.com, Parveen Chopra is a seasoned media professional specializing in wellness, personal growth, and spirituality. A trained teacher of meditation, he founded Life Positive, India’s first body-mind-spirit magazine, from New Delhi in 1996. Moving to the US, he edited The South Asian Times for over a decade and One World Under God interfaith journal. He also writes the column ‘Lotus Pond’ on Pathoes.com, a multi-religion platform. Earlier, he served as President of the American Press Club.

  • Emmy – nominated Tirlok Malik’s motivational short film ‘To New India with Love’ Screened

    Emmy – nominated Tirlok Malik’s motivational short film ‘To New India with Love’ Screened

    The Indian Panorama and Indian American Forum host a panel discussion on the film

    NEW YORK (TIP): The Indian Panorama and the Indian American Forum, on October 17, hosted a panel discussion, virtually on Zoom, on the Emmy-nominated Indian-American filmmaker Tirlok Malik’s new short film ‘To New India with Love,’ which was also screened on the occasion. The short film examines the subject of youth aspirations. ‘To New India with Love’ is a non-commercial venture, produced with a public-service spirit, appealing broadly to Indians worldwide. It is presented by Padma Shri Dr Sudhir Parikh. The screenplay and dialogues are written by Murtaza Ali Khan and Rakesh Zharotia is the film’s editor and assistant director.

    While beginning the proceedings for the day, Indu Jaiswal, Chairperson, Indian American Forum introduced the moderators and the panelists while welcoming the guests and underlining the agenda of the event. She congratulated Trilok Malik on the success of ‘To New India with Love’ which has been praised worldwide by audience and critics alike for his inspiring and empowering message to the youth of India.

    The panel discussion was moderated by Prof. Indrajit S. Saluja, Chief Editor, The Indian Panorama and Dr. Renee Mehrra, a celebrated TV anchor. While congratulating Tirlok Malik on his latest film, Prof. Saluja reflected upon the overwhelming love for India that each and every film of Malik oozes with. Dr. Mehrra praised the film’s message and its relevance. The panelists included Padma Shri Dr. Sudhir Parikh, Tirlok Malik, Dr. Azad Anand, Dr. Bhupi Patel, Dr. Urmilesh Arya, Shashi Malik, and Animesh Goenka. Each of them praised the film’s subject and its timely message. Sudhir Vaishnav, Neeta Bhasin, Anju Sharma, Lal Motwani, and Andy Bhatia who were also present on the occasion appreciated the film while sharing their views about Malik’s remarkable contribution as a filmmaker over the last three decades. Pam Kwatra, Jyoti Gupta, Chitranjan Sahay Belwariar, and Anurag Sharma were also present.

    Murtaza Ali Khan who wrote the film’s screenplay and dialogues also joined the discussion and gave his comment.

    Talking about his association with the film, Dr. Sudhir Parikh praised the film’s inspiring message. While highlighting the positive changes that have taken place in India over the last five decades, he reminded that the India of today is very different from when he first came to the US. He asserted that the Indian youth today has so many opportunities while touching upon the new initiatives of the present Indian government which have been instrumental in empowering the youth. Sharing the vision behind the film, Tirlok Malik said that the film aims to inspire the youth of India to not give up on their dreams. Even if someone doesn’t have the means to realize his/her dreams, he/she can achieve success through their hard work and determination. My film ‘To New India with Love’ is an inspiring and motivational film that gives a message of hope to the youth to pursue their dreams.

    Tirlok Malik is best known for making films about Indian immigrants in the US, starting with his pioneering work, ‘Lonely in America,’ which was shown in 74 countries and as well as on HBO and participated in 37 film festivals, winning several awards. He subsequently made films such as ‘Love Lust and Marriage,’ ‘Khushiyaan,’ and ‘On Golden Years’. He has also acted in films like ‘Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar,’ ‘Lajja,’ ‘Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu,’ ‘Ta Ra Rum Pum,’ ‘Sivaji: The Boss,’ and ‘Mehbooba,’ among others.

  • 43rd IALI gala honorsCommunity Builders

    43rd IALI gala honorsCommunity Builders

     

    The Awardees.
    IALI President Shashi Malik addresses the gathering

    GARDEN CITY, NY (TIP): North America based one of the oldest and biggest nonprofit organizations, the India Association of Long Island (IALI), organized the annual 43rd gala event and proudly dedicated this year’s gala ceremony to honor the teachers of the American society.

    The esteemed attendees along with Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, Deputy Consulate General of India in New York Shatrughna Sinha, New York State Senator Brian Benjamin, New York State Congresswoman Janifer Rajkumar, Acting Police Commissioner of Suffolk County Stuart K. Cameron, Friends for Good Health Founder Chairman Dr. Bobby K. Kalotee, Chairman & Co-Founder of The South Asian Times Kamlesh C. Mehta, Nassau County Human Rights Commissioner Zahid Syed, IDP USA president Deepak Bansal, others attended the event.

    IALI secretary Kuljeet Ahluwalia started the event and a known Indo-American businessman and vice president of IALI Jasbir Jay Singh played the role of Master of ceremonies MC. In her opening remarks, IALI President welcomed all the attendees and presented the remarkable year-long activities of the organization under her leadership.

    Addressing the media IALI President Shashi Malik mentioned that IALI dedicated this year’s Gala to honor the builders of our society, The Teachers. I am happy our selection committee selected the remarkable teachers, who have been honored today.

    In today’s gala event eleven teachers were honored in which six of them are teaching the students of the Indo-American community in special classes run by IALI. Knitting and crochet class teacher Chander Kanta, Indian Classical music and harmonium teacher Perry Walia, Punjabi Class teacher JapNeet, Meditation teacher Rajeev Dixit, Hindi Class teacher Sadhvi Ji, and Kids Computer class teacher Shveta were the honorees.

    The five other honorees were the First African-American Female Superintendent of the East Ramapo Central School District in Spring Valley, New York, Dr. Deborah L. Wortham. Before IALI honor, Dr. Wortham was also awarded as a public figure in the top 100 Most Influential Educators in New York State 2020. Social Studies teacher with 19 years of service Ilora Majumder-Afzal was second who was honored today evening. Ms. Ilora currently serves as a high school educator in New York City. The third honoree of the evening was Jenine Joslin for her 14 years of service as a teacher. Ms. Joslin’s dedicated services as a babysitter, camp counselor, camp director, and now in the classroom helped a lot of the students to grow.

    The fourth awardee was New York City educator Shakila Mumtaz-Roman. She was born and raised in Queens NY into a family of mixed heritage: Guatemalan and Pakistani. She has serviced students in grades K-12 as a general educator, a Spanish teacher, an ENL teacher, as Language Department Chair; She led local, national, and international trips with students to open their minds and build their experiences.

    The fifth honoree of the evening was Music teacher Vincent Guerra. Mr. Guerra is currently teaching the students of Locust Valley Central School District Middle and High School. He has been appointed as a band director with the School District. During his 25 years with the Locust Valley Central School District, Mr. Guerra has helped to facilitate the many band programs within the music department. Addressing the gathering, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran praised the services and dedication of IALI towards the American Society. Ms. Laura also applauds the IALI’s decision to honor the society builders. Deputy Consulate General of India in New York Shatrughna Sinha also applauded the help of IALI and other Indo- American organizations for their financial and logistic help towards the Indian people during the pandemic. Mr. Sinha also thanked the IALI for the 43 years of promotion and prosperity of Indian culture and heritage by different humanitarian services in the United States of America.

    On the occasion, Indo-American Community leader Mohinder Singh Taneja was also honored for his community work, dedication, and tireless services towards Indo-American society.

    IALI thanks all the volunteers, supporters, and sponsors; especially grand sponsors of the event, John Paladini and Tahir Ahmed of King of Queens Auto Services Corp. and Dr. Jay Sarkar, for their generous donation support to make this gala event successful.

    (Press release)