PISCATAWAY, NJ(TIP):  Senator Vin Gopal was honored to recognize several outstanding members of the South-Asian American community Friday, March 30 at the Deewan Banquet Hall.

The 2018 honorees include: Entrepreneur of the Year Chirag Patel, Amneal Pharmaceuticals; Non-Profit of the Year SKN Foundation; Organization of the Year Indian Business Association, Iselin, NJ; Physician of the Year Dr. Sumul Raval; Public Servant of the Year Shanti Narra, Middlesex County Freeholder; Restaurateur of the Year, Harpal Obhan, Deewan Banquet Hall; Attorney of the Year Satish Poondi, Wilentz Law Firm; Educator of the Year Dr. Khyati Joshi, Professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University; Pharmacist of the Year Sam Maddali, United Pharmacy Network; Student of the Year Krina Shah, Freehold, NJ; and Rising Star Shariq Ahmed, Edison, NJ.

“I am awed by the incredible work that the South-Asian community does in our great state every day,” said Sen. Vin Gopal.

“The leadership of South-Asian American business owners, scientists, doctors and students has reinvigorated local economies, provided fresh insight into complex problems and exemplified the service and passion of citizenship. As the state’s first South-Asian American Senator, I am extremely proud to represent this community and serve as their voice in Trenton.

“These honorees truly embody and exemplify the passion, determination and talent that defines our community. It is my great privilege to recognize each of these incredible honorees who stand as pillars in our community. I thank each of our honorees for their work and service and join our community at large in congratulating them on their very well-deserved awards.

“Thank you to Harpal Obhan for hosting our award ceremony at your beautiful establishment, the Deewan Banquet Hall, as well as Ritesh Shah, chairman of the South-Asian American Caucus in Monmouth County, for his dedication to civil service and public activism. I would also like to thank my co-MC for the evening, Assemblyman Raj Mukherji.”

The South-Asian community is comprised of individuals of Indian, Bangladeshi, Bhutanese, Maldivian, Nepali, Pakistani and Sri Lankan descent.