NFL Alumni and Hall of Fame honor Dr. Romesh Japra

NFL Alumni President Allan Kennedy and Honoree  Dr. Romesh Japra
NFL Alumni President Allan Kennedy and Honoree Dr. Romesh Japra

FREMONT, CA: Silicon Valleys’ community leader Dr. Romesh Japra was honored with NFL Multi-Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame Distinguished Community Service Award at “Post 50th Anniversary Super Bowl Induction and Legacy Awards Ceremony” held on Saturday, March 26 at the Doubletree Hotel in Fremont.

Among the honorees were favorite Sports Celebrities Inductees of 49ers and Raiders. Ray Wersching, NFL Alumni President Allan Kennedy, Mrs Bill Walsh, Willie Harper, Ted Kwalick, George Buehler, John Vella, Robert Jenkins, Mervyn Fernandez and Dana Stubblefield are amazing philanthropists and community activists.

To be chosen for this honor, one must have made a major contribution to the world, and have been a role model for youth during their career. With diligence and tenacity in his own endeavors, Dr. Japra, has made an impression on the world and on the youth with his influence upon them for the betterment of their personal lives.

“Our youth reveres you and your influence upon them for their character building. Dr. Japra, you are a true hero in this community and other communities at large,” said Arif Khatib, Founder and President, Hall of Fame.

Fremont community leader Dr. Romesh Japra has been an active member of the community. He has organized and contributed to numerous charity organizations and events across the globe. Events like Festival of India and Parade, Festival of Lights – Diwali, and Festival of Colors – Holi, have attracted tens of thousands of people and are instrumental in building a vibrant and cohesive indo-American community in Bay area.

Besides promoting culture and arts, Dr Japra has been a champion of various charities. Through Aasra, he is helping women and children victims of domestic violence, through FIA Senior wing helping elderly for health, transportation, immigration, meals and abuse issues, through IWE wing, Empowering Women, through Toy Drive, helping destitute and juvenile children. He also spearheads feeding the hungry and supporting homeless, and fund raising for earthquake victims.

Dr. Romesh Japra is an internationally recognized cardiologist, cultural entrepreneur, publisher, and community leader. Dr. Japra is President and convener, FIA (Federation of Indo-Americans) of Northern California, Founder and Convener, Festival of Globe (FOG), and Chairman of Fremont Hindu Temple and Cultural Center.

(L-R) Ritu Maheshwari, Nandini Verma, Rajesh Verma, Mukesh Goswami, Vijay Thapar, Ramana Annamraju, Michelle Hall, Dr. Romesh Japra, Ben Tucker, Dr. Renel Brooks-Moon, Sunita Japra, Arif Khatib, Seema Giri
(L-R) Ritu Maheshwari, Nandini Verma, Rajesh Verma, Mukesh Goswami, Vijay Thapar, Ramana Annamraju, Michelle Hall, Dr. Romesh Japra, Ben Tucker, Dr. Renel Brooks-Moon, Sunita Japra, Arif Khatib, Seema Giri

In 1993, Dr Japra as President of FIA founded Annual Festival of India and Parade along with India’s Independence Day Celebrations. First Festival of India and Parade attracted 5000 participants. Since then it has grown by leaps and bounds and in 2015 there were 200,000 attendees. Creating this Little India every year, he helps the first generation Indo Americans cherish and thrive on nostalgic atmosphere and second generation imbibe their rich heritage, culture, values, traditions and philosophy.

Showcasing the culture to mainstream Americans and other ethnic communities helped spreading the best parts of Indian culture to the mainstream America. Dr. Japra has been persistent and consistent in recruiting youngsters in thousands to participate in different aspects of leadership roles. They design and build Parade floats reflecting our culture and heritage and perform cultural dances, musicals and reflections of our rich antiquity.

After noticing cross cultural ethnic communities and mainstream Americans joining in, Dr Japra is envisioning the Global platform and has launched FOG (Festival of Globe). As part of FOG, Global movie fest, FOG Idol, Red Carpet gala FOG Awards and a grand India Day Fair and Parade will be held from August 5th to 14th, 2016.

India Post News Service