This year, Vijay Pallod was the sole recipient of the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston's(IACCGH) Community Service Award. On behalf of the IACCGH committee, Congressman Nick Lampson and Harris County Judge Ed Emmett ceremoniously handed the award to Pallod at the organisation's8th Annual Gala and Awards Banquet held on August 25 at the Westin Galleria. IACCGH Executive Director Jagdip Ahluwalia commended Pallod for being a role model for the youth of the community. It was a commendation that was echoed by many interviewed for this article.
?Vijay is a very simple grass-roots worker and a true karmayogi,? said Dr. Sudha Rajan, President-USA of the Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (VYASA). ?He is large-hearted and deeply dedicated to the Indo-American youth. He embodies Sanatana Dharma. All we need in Houston is to replicate Vijay and clone him into a few thousands,? added Dr. Rajan.
?Vijay takes his social and volunteer work very seriously, which is inspiring to youth. He strongly supports the contribution of young Indo-Americans,? Ahluwalia said.
The IACCGH award was a recognition that many in the local community believe was long due. Jagat Kamdar, the Chairman of the Indo-American Political Action Committee (IAPAC), and a co-host on the popular radio talk show Open Forum, told Indo-American News that Pallod'sconcentration is on encouraging the young.?Pallod is recognised as the face of the Hindu community and is doing excellent work for Hindus in Greater Houston and Hindus in general. He avidly supports various causes, political and social both here and in India,? said Kamdar. Tracing Pallod'sodyssey over the past 27 years since he first set foot on American soil is one of toil, sacrifice, and achievement, not unlike the journeys of so many immigrants that made this country their home. The difference is that despite the hardships he and Sushma, his wife of 23 years endured in the early years, they are committed to giving of themselves, their time, and their financial resources unstintingly. Hailing from the Maheshwari community,Vijay arrived in Houston in 1980 to study commerce at the University of Houston.
(The writer is a freelance journalist living in Houston and be emailed at [email protected] Indo American News, All Rights Reserved.)
