Sudhir Parikh

Citation	Dr Sudhir Parikh: Physician, Philanthropist, Media Mogul, India Advocate. Click here to know more about the achievements & Click here to know more about awards Introduction: Dr. Sudhir Parikh, an eminent Physician, Philanthropist, Media Mogul and ardent India Advocate from New Jersey, channels his success to helping his Motherland and strengthening relations between India and USA. Dr. Parikh has received many honors and is the only Indian American to receive all 4 awards – Ellis Island Medal of Honor, Padma Shri Award, Pravasi Bharatiya Samman, and Knights of the Ecumenical Hospitaller Order of St. John of Malta Philanthropy Award. Awards/Recognitions: Padma Shri Award Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Ellis Island Medal of Honor Malta’s Knights of the Ecumenical Hospitaller Order of St. John Knights of Malta Philanthropy Award Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Vishwa Pratibha Award Share & Care Foundation’s (SCF) Lifelong Service Award AAPI’s Major Media and Service Award Human Rights Leader of the Year Award in NYC UK’s Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Samman Canada’s Global Gujarati Award Global Association of Physicians of Indian Origin’s (GAPIO) Lifetime Achievement Award Indo American Press Club’s Lifetime Achievement Award Philanthropy : Dr. Parikh is a lifelong philanthropist Using personal resources, he created the largest Indian-American media group, Parikh Worldwide Media and ITV Gold as part of philanthropic efforts to empower 2^nd generation youth Under his leadership as Chairman of Life Global NJ, USA, and Senior Advisor to Gujarat-based Project Life the following development initiatives were conducted Blood Donation drives serving 391,000 people. 656,000 Thalassemia Screenings under ‘Thalassemia Free Gujarat & India’ Campaign. 1000 women self-employed and empowered. 104 rural Primary schools built and INR 100 million raised for more schools 266,000 trees distributed under Environmental Conservation project Health & Wellness programs benefiting 500,000 people 3000 tribal families rehabilitated in India’s inner cities with Dr. Parikh’s participation with Knights of the Ecumenical Hospitaller Order of St. John of Malta. He is a major sponsor of Akshay Patra Foundation USA, which provides hot meals to 1.8 million Indian school children As Senior Advisor to Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) and AAPI, he was involved with shipping to India crucial medical supplies valued at $45 million As Senior Advisor to SCF, he helped raise $1 million for India’s pandemic relief He was part of President Bill Clinton’s visit to the affected areas of Gujarat earthquake His Parikh Foundation assisted in raising monies for the victims of Tsunami and Earthquake. He has contributed more than $2 million from personal funds to SCF, Nargis Dutt Memorial Foundation and American India Foundation He supported scholarship programs of SCF and supports Ekal Vidyalaya, a tribal education program in India which was inaugurated at his home As Secretary General of GAPIO he helped bring together 1.5 million Ian origin physicians from 54 countries on one platform for voluntary healthcare initiatives in India. U.S.-India Relations For over 40 years Dr. Parikh has endeavored to strengthen US-India relations raising awareness among high-profile policymakers to benefit India and been an effective bridge between people of both countries As President of the Indian American Forum for Political Education he was the driving force behind formation of India Caucus in the House and Friends of India Caucus in the Senate As a member of the National Leadership Advisory Committee of the India Caucus, his interventions influenced leading Congressmen Gary Ackerman and Frank Pallone to join it. He joined Indian-American leaders pushing the US-India Civil Nuclear Cooperation deal He is a founder member of the Indian American Republican Council To strengthen India-U.S. relations, Dr. Parikh built the largest Indian American news conglomerate in the U.S., Parikh Worldwide Media (PWM) and ITV Gold, directing media coverage to spread India’s achievements and goals, influencing American policy makers and public opinion PWWM produces 3 English publications – News India Times, Desi Talk NY, Desi Talk Chicago plus Gujarat Times. Through partnership with India’s flagship news outlet Doordarshan, ITV Gold carries his Motherland’s messages daily to the Diaspora Most recently, he led PWM to partner with Sling TV, the largest platform reaching 14 million viewers Dr. Parikh is the Grand Sponsor of FIA’s annual India’s Independence Day Parade in NYC He is “Grand Benefactor” of the Vraj Shrinathji Temple in Pennsylvania Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav: Dr. Parikh has engaged personally with Indian Consulates in US which have held more than 100 Azadi ka Amrit Mohotsav celebrations of India’s 75^th year of independence, publicizing many of them through PWM and ITV Gold

Significant Contribution	Dr. Sudhir Parikh’s Significant Contribution 1. Impacting Mindset: Dr. Sudhir Parikh’s most significant contribution is impacting the mindset of fellow Indian Americans to think more proactively of their Motherland through awareness efforts of his various media. Dr. Parikh has reached thousands in the community, given free space and time generously on his airwaves and print newspapers for fundraising and spreading awareness about his Motherland. He has proved to be a bridge between Americans and India, and encouraged Indian Americans to give back to the Motherland 2. Motivating Second Generation: His other major contribution is igniting a sense of pride in second generation Indian Americans through representation and involvement by educating them and providing them a media platform. He has provided a role model to many youth with his professional success and his love and dedication for India, kindling their desire to do something for India 3. Strengthening India-U.S. Relationship: Dr. Parikh has worked tirelessly to strengthen India – U.S. relationship and cooperation. He has been the President of the Indian American Forum for Political Education. He has contributed to raising awareness and creating support for India by strengthening bilateral relations through helping form the Congressional Caucus on India and influencing policy makers 4. Betterment through Philanthropic Activities: * As Secretary General of GAPIO, he contributed to uniting 1.5 million physicians worldwide to serve voluntarily in delivering healthcare where needed in India He was knighted by Knights of the Ecumenical Hospitaller Order of St. John of Malta for his philanthropy and rehabilitation of the poor in inner cities of India As Senior Advisor to Federation of Indian Associations and AAPI, he was part of a massive drive which sent medical supplies and equipment valued at approximately $45 million to help India during the pandemic He has helped implement the Life Global Vaccination Awareness Program’s distribution of Family Hygiene Kits, masks, sanitizers, impacting more than 15,000 people. Under his leadership Project Life organized 5400 outdoor Blood camps and distributed 266,000 trees He made an important contribution by initiating a successful Project Life campaign for Thalassemia Free Gujarat & India making tests mandatory for youth, and ‘Know your Blood Group’ Program proposing mandatory mention of blood group in important Government documents, including driving license, Aadhar Card He generously contributed toward building 104 primary schools in Gujarat with help of Project Life, and led a fundraising initiative raising INR 100 million for 10 more schools in rural areas Over 10,000 marginalized women in Gujarat have been empowered and some 2 million people helped through efforts of Life Global projects on health and wellness, under Dr. Parikh’s leadership He participated in several fundraising initiatives to help the Motherland during times of natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis.
Impact and Outcomes	Impact and Outcomes of Dr. Sudhir Parikh’s Work. 1. U.S.-India relations: As a result of Dr. Parikh’s endeavor for more than 40 years, US-India relations have been strengthened. He cultivated social and political connections from grassroots to Capitol Hill, creating alliances. He has been the President of the Indian American Forum for Political Education. His early efforts helped form the Congressional Caucus on India. He created the largest Indian American media group directed to strengthening US-India relations 2. Increased Involvement in India: As a result of Dr. Parikh’s providing full and free media support, Indian Americans have begun to think more proactively of their Motherland. Dr. Parikh has reached thousands in the community, given free space and time generously on his airwaves and print newspapers for fundraising and spreading awareness about the goals and crises in the Motherland 3. Education, Health and Wellness Related Outcomes: Dr. Parikh’s involvement and endeavors have impacted millions of people * Through one of the largest asthma and allergy and immunology practices, Dr. Parikh has provided healthcare to millions in US As Secretary General of GAPIO he has helped unite 1.5 million physicians of Indian origin around the world on one platform to deliver quality healthcare through philanthropic initiatives He helped Project Life initiate campaign for Thalassemia Free Gujarat & India which conducted 656,000 Thalassemia screenings His generous contribution resulted in helping build 104 primary schools in Gujarat plus raising millions for new schools with Project Life His efforts also resulted in over 10,000 marginalized women in Gujarat being empowered and some 2 million people helped through efforts of Life Global projects on health and wellness Under his leadership of Project Life 5400 outdoor Blood camps were conducted 266,000 trees distributed and planted in India 4. Pandemic Related Impact: Dr. Parikh’s tireless efforts made a great impact during the pandemic As Senior Advisor to Federation of Indian Associations and AAPI, he was part of massive drive to send medical supplies and equipment to India during COVID estimated at $45 million Dr. Parikh’s contribution brought about implementation of the Life Global Vaccination Awareness Program, distributing Family Hygiene Kits, masks, sanitizers, to more than 15,000 people.

Honors	Sudhir M. Parikh, M.D., is one of the most honored Indian Americans. Topping the honors is the 2010 Padma Shri conferred by the President of India, Prathibha Patil. With this award, Dr. Parikh has become the only Indian American to receive all three of the most prestigious awards – The Ellis Island Medal of Honor, the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman and the Padma Shri. In March 2012, recognizing his philanthropic contributions, Dr. Parikh has been nominated as Knight of the Ecumenical Hospitaller Order of St. John Knights of Malta. He is the recipent of the 2006 Pravasi Bharatiya Samman, bestowed on non-resident Indians by the Indian government. The U.S. Congress recognized this honor with a mention in the Congressional Record. He’s also a recipient of the 2005 Ellis Island Medal of Honor, the highest civilian honor for U.S. immigrants, for a lifetime of community service. In 2002, he received the National Excellence Award from former prime minister P.V. Narasimha Rao at the annual meeting of the Indian American Friendship Council (IAFC) in Washington, D.C. Dr. Parikh was appointed member of the National Leadership Advisory Committee of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans in 1999 by the Chairman of the India Caucus, U.S Congressman Gary Ackerman (D) of New York. He was a Member of American Media Delegation that accompaniedPresident Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama on their visit to India in November 2010.

Publishing	Dr. Parikh is the Chairman and Publisher of Parikh Worldwide Media Inc., the largest Indian-American publishing group in the United States. The group publishes five periodicals – “News India Times,” a national weekly newspaper; “Desi Talk in New York,” a weekly newspaper serving the New York-New Jersey- Connecticut region; and “Desi Talk in Chicago,” a weekly newspaper serving the Greater Chicago area and the Midwestern states; and “The Indian American,” a national bimonthly feature magazine, and theGujarat Times, a Gujrarati language weekly. The combined circulation and readership of these publications make the media group the most influential in the ethnic Indian market.

Advocacy	As a leading advocate for India with the U.S. Congress and government for the last two decades, Dr. Parikh has been responsible for bringing a number of American political leaders to serve the cause of U.S.-India relations. He was, for instance, personally responsible for Congressman Elliot Engel (D-N.Y.), Rush Holt (D-N.J.) and Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) joining the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans. In recognition of his efforts during the 1990s, he was invited to join the delegation that accompanied President William Jefferson Clinton during his historic visit to India in March 2000. As a (founding) member of the Indian American Republican Council (IARC) and a number of other organizations lobbying Congress, Dr. Parikh has worked tirelessly for the fruition of the U.S.-India nuclear deal. Dr. Parikh used his personal relationship with a number of American politicians – including New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine and the state’s former governor Christine Todd Whitman, Senator Charles Schumerof New York, Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey and CongressmenBenjamin Gilman, Frank Pallone and Gary Ackerman – to rally political support for the nuclear deal and foster a strategic partnership with India. Recognizing his efforts as part of the core group that lobbied for the nuclear deal, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh personally acknowledged Dr. Parikh’s contributions during his visit to the U.S. last year. Dr. Parikh also has been a cultural ambassador of India in the United States. To this end, he has often been a Grand Sponsor of India’s Independence Day celebrations that have been held in New York City for the past 25 years. He also advanced the cause of the Indian-American community through his leadership of organizations like the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA),Indian American Forum for Political Education (IAFPE), where he was instrumental in starting a Congressional Internship Program for second-generation Indian Americans to work in the U.S. Congress.

Philanthropy	Dr. Parikh is a patron of several philanthropic organizations, including theAmerican India Foundation, and has contributed generously to select causes in India and the United States, including to the rehabilitation of the Gujarat earthquake and Tamil Nadu tsunami victims. Dr. Parikh accompanied President Clinton when he visited Gujarat to assess the impact of the earthquake in 2001. He’s closely involved with the Share and Care Foundation, a nonprofit helping the poorest of the poor in India. From 1995 through 2005, Dr. Parikh funded a scholarship program for undergraduate students in the Indian-American community through the Share and Care Foundation. As a physician, Dr. Parikh is particularly gratified by his effort to raise substantial amount of funds for the Gujarat Cancer Society and theNargis Dutt Foundation. Thanks to his commitment to advancing Indian culture and values in general and to the temple in particular, Dr. Parikh has been named the “Grand Benefactor” of the Vraj Shrinalhajee Temple in Pennsylvania.

Medicine	Dr. Parikh is a leading allergist in the United States and has received international acclaim in the field of allergy, asthma and immunology. He is aDiplomate of American Board of Allergy and Immunology, Clinical Associate Professor at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, a Fellow of the American College of Allergy & Immunology and Trustee of American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI). He’s also a Fellow, Allergy/Immunology (Adult and Pediatrics) at the New York Medical College and Metropolitan Hospital Center, New York.