Indian Diaspora Council

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Indian Diaspora Council Congratulates US Congress Member-Elect Thomas Suozzi

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The Indian Diaspora Council International (IDC) congratulates US Congressman-Elect Thomas Suozzi on his resounding victory at the special elections held on Tuesday, February 14, 2024 for the vacant Congressional District CD3 in New York. A former 2-term congressman, Suozzi campaigned on the issues affecting the district’s constituents which includes parts of Queens and Nassau counties, and his campaign was strongly supported by several Indian-American groups. The campaign was closely watched by both Democrats and Republicans as a national referendum with lessons for upcoming November 2024 general elections. Suozzi was heavily supported by many ethnic groups including Indians, Asians and Hispanics.

US Congress Member-Elect Thomas Suozzi

In his victory speech, Suozzi said, “I love America. This race was fought amidst a closely divided electorate, much like our whole country. This race was centered on immigration and the economy, much like the issues all across our country. We won this race. We, you, won this race because we addressed the issues and we found a way to bind our divisions. I want to thank the Jewish voters of my district who stuck with me. I want to thank the Chinese Americans who helped me in this race. I want to thank the Korean Americans who stuck with me in this race. I want to thank the Indian Americans who stuck with me in this race. I want to thank the Pakistani and the Bangladeshis who stuck with me in this race, despite how difficult it was throughout this process. And the Muslim community that stuck with me in this race. And it wasn’t easy. I want to thank the African Americans who stuck with me in this race. I want to thank the Latino Americans who stuck with me in this race. I want to thank the white Irish and Italian guys who stuck with me in this race”.

IDC President Ashook Ramsaran and US Congress Member Thomas Suozzi

QUEENS BOOK FAIR & LITERARY FESTIVAL celebrates Black History –  February 24, 2024

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Program

Welcome: Dr. Dhanpaul Narine
Introductions: Dr. Dhanpaul Narine
Passing of Rev. Seopaul Singh (April 26, 1946 – January 29, 2024)
Panelists:
Arthur Jackson, Educator, NYC Dept. of Education (DOE)
Albert Jurczynski, former Mayor of Schenectady, New York Dr. Melina Basant MD, Jamaica Hospital, Queens, New York
Dr. Martine Santos, Educator NYC Dept. of Education (DOE)
Rev. Kerry Rogers, NYC Dept. of Education (DOE)
Panel Moderator: Lourdeth Ferguson Contributions from Students Poems Remarks Commentaries Closing Remarks Thanks & Appreciation

Program Supported by Ashook Ramsaran
Indian Diaspora Council International.
www.IndianDiasporaCouncil.org

The celebration of Black History Month began as “Negro History Week,” created in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, a noted African American historian, scholar, educator, and publisher. It became a month-long celebration in 1976. The month of February was chosen to coincide with the birthdays of abolitionist leader Frederick Douglass (born February 1818) and President Abraham Lincoln (born February 12, 1809).

The African Americans population of USA in 1870 was 4.8 million; in 2022, the number of black residents of the US, including those of more than one race, was 50.1 million which accounts for 15% of the US population of 333.3 million.

Aparna Sreedhar Musical Performance at Indian Consulate in New York

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Renowned musical performer Aparna Sreedhar dazzled a packed audience with exquisite Indian melodies at the Indian Consulate in New York on July 2, 2023. Her musical performance was “A musical journey through India” followed by “A medley homage to late legendary Lata Mangeshkar ji”. She was accompanied by talented tabla player Robi Bhattacharya and harmonium player Biplab Mukherjee, arranged by Rakesh Banerjee.

Aparna Sreedhar is a superbly talented and versatile Hindustani vocalist with a rich repertoire of classical music, bhajans, abhangs, ghazals, geet and folk music. She also sings in many Indian languages. She is fondly referred to as the Lata Mangeshkar of Paris; the nightingale of Paris.

The program was organized by the Indian Diaspora Council International (IDC) in partnership with Global Indian Organization (GIO, headquartered in Paris), and hosted by Consulate of India in New York. Following refreshments, Ashook Ramsaran, President of IDC, welcomed everyone and Consul General Amb. Randhir Jaiswal made opening remarks, highlighting the inherent value of Indian music and the arts to the Indian Diaspora. Prakash Singh, President of IDC of Guyana, thanked Aparna Sreedhar and the musicians for a rousing presentation.

Participating in the program were Consul Bijender Kumar of the Consulate and former Suriname ambassador Kriesnadath Nandoe and his family. The event was supported by the Indian Consulate in New York and Boysie Siew, entrepreneur and IDC life member.

CONGRATULATIONS TO PRISCA THEVENOT AS FRANCE’S SECRETARY OF STATE FOR YOUTH AND UNIVERSAL NATIONAL SERVICE

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The Indian Diaspora Council International (IDC) and its global membership congratulate Prisca Thévenot on her appointment by French President Emmanuel Macron as France’s Secretary of State for Youth and Universal National Service. Prisca Thévenot, 38, elected deputy for Hauts-de-Seine in 2022, was appointed on July 20, 2023 at the head of this State Secretariat attached to the Ministry of National Education.


Born in France to parents of Indian-Mauritian origin, 38-years of age, Prisca Thévenot becomes the first person of Indian origin to hold such a prominent position in the Government of France. While there are other persons of Indian origin representing their respective territories (Examples Serge Letchimy and Erika Bareights), Prisca Thévenot is the first PIO born in France.

We congratulate Prisca Thévenot on this historic success as a Person of Indian origin (PIO) in such a high profile position in France, becoming the first French woman of Indian descent to do so. We take much pride in her achievements as a person of Indian origin, with her background, determination, skills and character, and we applaud her on her representation of her constituency to achieve more progress politically and socially for common good”.

Dr. Sharla Madho-Khargi receives Distinguished Service Award from NYPSA

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Dr. Sharla Madho-Khargi receives Distinguished Service Award from NYPSA

Dr. Sharla Madho-Khardi

CONGRATULATIONS to Dr. Sharla Madho-Khargi.

Recipient of Distinguished Service Award from NYS Psychiatric Association (NYPSA)

Dr. Sharla Madho-Khargi is a clinical psychologist who is in private practice in Queens, NY. Dr. Khargi is trained in Cognitive Behavior therapy. Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Psychoanalysis. Dr. Madho-Khargi is currently an adjunct faculty at St. John’s University and City University of New York. She is also a Mental Health Consultant to the Ministry of Public Health for mental health services in Guyana.

She currently serves as the Director of Clinical/Community Services for the Indian Diaspora Council (IDC) and has been conducting research internationally for the past 10 years with a focus on mental illness, domestic violence, and disability in both children and adults. She is past president of the division of psychoanalysis for the New York State Psychological Association, and serves as a member of the disaster recovery network as well as the social justice committee for the legislative division of NYSPA.

Indian Diaspora Council participates in Conference at St. John’s University – May 22, 2021, New York, USA

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News

St. John’s University Center for Caribbean & Latin American Studies (CLACS) CLACS XI Multidisciplinary Conference on Immigration Migration and Equality in the Covid-19 Pandemic

Panel Session:
“The Impact of Covid-19 on the Asian American and Caribbean Communities:
Inequality and Abuses”

Dr. Sharla Madho-Khargi is a clinical psychologist trained in Cognitive Behavior therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Psychoanalysis, is in private practice in Queens, NY. She is currently an adjunct faculty at St. Johns University and City University of New York. She is also a Mental Health Consultant to the Ministry of Public Health for mental health services in Guyana. She currently serves as the Director of Clinical/Community Services for the Indian Diaspora Council (IDC) and has been conducting research internationally for the past 10 years with a focus on mental illness, domestic violence, and disability in both children and adults. She is past president of the division of psychoanalysis for the New York State Psychological Association, and serves as a member of the disaster recovery network as well as the social justice committee for the legislative division of NYSPA.

Ashook Ramsaran, born in Guyana, founder/president of the Indian Diaspora Council (IDC) and past president of Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO). Actively engaged in Queens Civic Congress, Census 2020, New York Presbyterian Hospital Advisory Council, collaborates with St. John’s University Center for Caribbean & Latin American Studies, and others. Recipient of numerous awards local, national and international in recognition of his many years of outstanding community service.

John Albert, Esq. is a founding board member of Taking Our Seat, a local Queens-based organization working towards the political empowerment of the South Asian and Indo-Caribbean community. An attorney by training and a lobbyist by profession, John has been an active player in the recent redistricting effort of Queens’ neighborhoods. He has also worked with policymakers and key stakeholders to shape budget and policy initiatives designed to benefit after-school programs in New York City and nationwide. In his previous roles, John has developed legislative priorities and advocated on the behalf of domestic violence and sexual assault survivors, programs, and service providers.

Little Guyana Avenue – Co-Naming Ceremony

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News

PANDIT RAMLALL WAY – Street Naming – In honor of the late Dharmacharya Pandit Ramlall

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PANDIT RAMLALL WAY - Street Naming - In honor of the late Dharmacharya Pandit Ramlall
Sunday, June 27, 2021

11:30am – 1:00pm CEREMONY at Arya Spiritual Center, 104-36 133rd Street
1:00pm – 1:30pm UNVEILING of STREET SIGN, Corner of Liberty Ave & 133 St

Dharmacharya Pandit Ramlall, a selfless and avid community advocate, passed away on January 26, 2019 in Queens, New York at the age of 91 years. The late Dharmacharya Pandit Ramlall was a well-respected iconic spiritual leader and scholar, a freedom fighter in Guyana, and a pioneering community advocate who has been recognized locally and internationally for his life-long community service. He founded the annual Phagwah (Holi) Parade in New York and Queens Borough President declared March 23, 2003 at “Pandit Ramlall Day”. He was indeed a tremendous asset to the community with a lifetime of service to spirituality, justice and freedom.

Pandit Ramlall Way is overwhelmingly supported by community board members, residents, religious groups, businesses and organizations. In particular, the Arya Spiritual Center of New York (ASC-NY) founded by late Dharmacharya Pandit Ramlall, and being extensively used for various community events, including the annual Gandhi Peace March, Diwali Parade, Ramayana in the Park, etc. ASC-NY is located at 104-36 133rd Street in Ozone Park, 200 feet from the corner of Liberty Ave & 133rd Street where the new street sign will be unveiled.

INDIA DONATES 40,000 DOSES OF COVID-19 VACCINES TO ST. VINCENT

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INDIA DONATES 40,000 DOSES OF COVID-19 VACCINES TO ST. VINCENT

On Monday, March 1, 2021, the shipment of 40,000 doses of the “Made in India” Covishield Covishield vaccine from the Government and people of India to the Government and people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines was received with much fanfare.

At the ceremony to mark the occasion, Dr. Arnold Thomas, Indian Diaspora Council Coordinator for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, “had the honour of representing the Indian Ambassador in Suriname”. Speaking first, Dr. Thomas emphasized the strong relationship between India and SVG and India’s massive response technologically and in treating the whole world as one family.

In attendance was Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves who gave a very detailed presentation which focused mainly on two aspects; the Government response nationally and internationally and the very close relationship between the Government and people of SVG and the Government and people of India. He stressed the friendship between himself and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the gift of the vaccine as an indication of the close ties. Hon. St. Clair Jimmy Prince, Minister of Health, Wellness and the Environment, presented an overview of the situation and the response to the pandemic.

Photo (l-r seated): Dr. Arnold Thomas, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, Min. of Health St. Clair Prince. Standing: Permanent Secretary to Min of Health Cuthbert Knights.

Congratulations to Jean Regis Ramsamy – PBSA 2021

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Congratulations to Jean Regis Ramsamy - PBSA 2021