Five Indian Americans have been recognised by an industry body here for their contributions towards enhancing and empowering business and education between India and the US.
The Indo-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston (IACCGH) annual awards were presented last week at its 14th edition under the theme 'Empowering Energy & Education - Onwards & Upwards'.
The ceremony, attended by around 650 guests, included Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Congressmen Al Green and Pete Olson, Harris county sheriff Adrian Garcia, Mayor of Houston Anise Parker among others.
The 'Educator of the Year' award was presented to Latha Ramchandran, dean and professor of finance at C T Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston.
Latha is an expert in international and corporate finance, energy education, corporate governance and leadership.
IACCGH founding member Jagdip Ahluwalia, who currently serves as its executive director, received a special award for his "outstanding contributions to the chamber" since its inception in 1999.
Jagdip has been a force behind promoting Indian business success in the US while providing business partners with access to opportunities in India.
Ash Shah, who owns a major plastic films and packaging product distribution company, with units in various countries, was awarded 'International Business Person of the Year'.
'Business Person of the Year' award was presented to Dhiren Sethia, managing partner and co-founder of a management and technology consulting firm focused on Fortune 500 companies.
Gaurav Khandelwal, founder and chief executive officer of 'Chai1', which is among 25 fastest growing companies in Houston every year since inception, was awarded 'Young Business Entrepreneur of the Year'.
The chief guest P Harish, Consul General of India, Houston and the keynote speaker Robert E Beauchamp, chairman and CEO of BMC Software, highlighted the IACCGH contribution in connecting India and America.
Beauchamp described how the chamber convinced him that India was the best location for their expansion for talent, adding that the BMC India office has now become a hub for innovation.
Highlighting the education and energy theme, IACCGH president Pankaj Dhume said Indo-US cooperation in both these sectors would boost job growth and major alliances between universities in Houston and India.
