Shiv Aggarwal, Dr. Rama Rao Amara, Ph.D., Dr. Sujatha Reddy and Dr. Seshu Sarma
were four Indian awardees among the “25 Most Influential Asian Americans in
Georgia.” The Georgia Asian Times hosted an awards dinner for the celebration at
the Nam Phuong Restaurant in Norcross on Thursday, July 15. These individuals
have made an impact in arts, business, government, politics, social work,
education, research, judiciary, and other areas influencing every aspect of a
Georgian’s daily life. Some names are familiar as they continue to strive to
make our community a better place to live. New faces are recognized for their
effort and dedication to make a difference. All have contributed to improving
the quality of life and the image of Asians in the community.
Over 200
guests were present, including Hon. Takuji Hanatani, Consul General of Japan,
Hon. Larry Tseng, Director General of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, Sue
Everhart, Chair of Georgia’s Republican Party, and Alex Wan, Atlanta City
Council member.
Dr. Sujatha Reddy is a Psychiatrist in River Edge
Behavioral Health Center, and the founder and driving force of the SAI Health
Fairs. Over 300 EKGs, over 150 vision and glaucoma screenings, over 50 bone
density tests, and over 340 blood tests—these are the statistics from just the
most recent SAI Health Fair, a charitable forum providing free and low cost
medical services to the poor, uninsured, and the underinsured. Dr. Seshu Sarma
is Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology in Morehouse
School of Medicine. Dr. Sarma is a shining example of a multidimensional
empowered woman who provides clinical care to women and teaches medical students
and residents. As a consultant, she provides reproductive health care to women
who are infected with HIV at the Fulton County Health Department’s Ryan White
Program.
Shiv Aggarwal is the man behind Global Mall, the largest indoor
Indian mall in North America. He migrated to the U.S.A. in 1982 and started as a
real estate agent in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He moved to Atlanta in 1986 and
began investing in midscale properties. He has successfully invested in several
large apartment complexes, shopping centers and hotels. Dr. Rama Rao Amara,
Ph.D., is a Research Associate Professor in the Division of Microbiology &
Immunology at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center of Emory University,
and Associate Professor in the Emory School of Medicine Department of
Microbiology & Immunology.