Sen. Vin Gopal honors Satish Poondy, Khyati Joshi, Chirag Patel and others

New Jersey State Senator Vin Gopal honored several outstanding members of the South-Asian American community for their achievement sin various filed at a glittering event held at the Deewan Banquet Hall in Piscataway, March 30

The 2018 honorees are:
Entrepreneur of the Year: Chirag Patel, Amneal Pharmaceuticals
Non-Profit of the Year: SKN Foundation
Organization of the Year: Indian Business Association, Iselin
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 Universit
Pharmacist of the Year: Sam Maddali, United Pharmacy Network
Student of the Year: Krisna Shah, Freehold, NJ
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. As the state’s first South-Asian American Senator, I am extremely proud to represent this community and serve as their voice in Trenton,’ 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.

‘These honorees truly embody and exemplify the passion, determination and talent that defines 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.’

He also thanked Harpal Obhan for hosting the ceremony at Deewan Banquet Hall. He also noted the services of Ritesh Shah, chairman of the South-Asian American Caucus in Monmouth County, for his dedication to civil service and public activism. He also thanked the co-MC for the evening, Assemblyman Raj Mukherji.