NEW JERSEY: Indian-American entrepreneur H.R. Shah, Chairman & CEO of TV Asia, has been conferred one of India’s highest civilian honors, the Padma Shri, for the year 2017.
Mr. Shah, who is among only three recipients of the honor from the United States this year, is being presented the award in the category of Literature & Education-Journalism.
The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee, is scheduled to present the honors in March/April 2017 at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
Mr. Shah, who has lived in the United States for 46 years, is originally from Bahadarpur, Gujarat. He is also Chairman of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (USA), an institution dedicated to literature, culture, education, music and arts. He has devoted his life to community service as well as fostering close relations between India and the United States through his many endeavors and enterprises over the years, including TV ASIA.
When informed of the decision, Mr. Shah reacted: “I cannot believe it and am still trying to fathom this wonderful news. I am deeply humbled, honored and overjoyed that the Republic of India has decided to confer on me the Padma Shri. It is recognition of my work for more than 35 years and I am grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government as well as the people of India for rewarding me with this high civilian honor. I am also grateful to my family, friends and well-wishers who have supported me all these years.”
Mr. Shah added: “I look forward to receiving the Padma Shri in New Delhi later this year and rededicate myself to helping India and the United States further their close relations, as well as to promote India’s rich culture and heritage.”
Shah is the first NRI to own a chain store business anywhere in the world.
A turnaround expert, he became prominent for rescuing Krauszer’s Food Stores, New Jersey’s largest chain having over 400 convenience stores.
A recipient of the 2005 Ellis Island Medal of Honor he is also a well-known entrepreneur, philanthropist and community leader.
India Post News Service
