BY MAHADEV DESAI

Atlanta, GA, Oct 2012: Ramesh Pandya, a well-known and respected member of Atlanta’s Gujarati community recently received two well-deserved awards in Southern California in recognition of his community services. Rameshbhai who was the chief guest and speaker at the ‘Kasumbi no Rang’ event at the Jain Centre of Southern California Culture Complex received two  awards from U.S.Congressman, 40th District of California,Ed Royce and City of Buena Park Mayor James Dow, respectively. The award from the Congressman carries the citation, “Representative Ed Royce is pleased to congratulate you on your outstanding and dedicated service to the Indian-American community.”

Ahmedabad born Pandya earned his BSAM (Bachelor of Ayurveda Medicine and Surgery) from the Gujarat Ayurveda University in 1974 and set up his own practice. In 1985 he became President of Gujarat Ayurveda Board and also Homeopathy Board and also General Secretary of Gujarat Ayurveda Society. Both at the College and after he took part in Gujarati and Sanskrit plays and won a few awards for his varied roles. He married Hasu Pandya who also has BSAM degree. They moved to Atlanta in 1991, and became member of the Gujarati Samaj of Atlanta. Pandya has played a pivotal role as treasurer and running member of Board of Governors since 1996. The Samaj is a vibrant Organization with over a thousand family members. He has been a driving force in organizing and staging of two plays in Clayton County and Gwinnett Center of Performing Arts, respectively, as well as in coordinating many more social and cultural programs like plays, concerts, spiritual discourses by eminent religious leaders, annual picnics, health fairs, programs for senior ctizens, youth camps, celebrations of major Indian festivals etc.  He was the lead coordinator of the most notable two day historic, mammoth and spectacular Swarnim Gujarat Celebrations in September 2010, commemorating 50th anniversary of Gujarat State as well as the dedication of the bust of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel near the inside entrance of the Sardar Patel Bhavan Hall.

Pandya is also founder member of Brahmin Samaj of Georgia in 1996, which promotes Indian and Brahmin heritage and culture and community Support Source. Here also, he has coordinated diverse activities like celebration of Maha Shivratri, summer picnics and camping, Diwali Milan and the ‘Samuh Yagnopavit Sanskar’in August 2011.


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