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New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. last night honored seven individuals during his celebration of South Asian Heritage at Surrogate’s Court in downtown Manhattan on Wednesday, May 19. The event was co-sponsored by t he Asia Society and Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan USA.

“Since the city’s earliest days, New Yorkers with roots in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Maldives, and beyond, have played an important role in the city’s economic, civic, and cultural life,” Thompson said. “By working hard to build new lives for themselves and their families, immigrants in search of opportunity have helped make this city what it is today.”

The distinguished honorees are: Hon Morshed Alam, Commissioner, New York City Voter Assistance Commission; Asghar Choudhri, President, Pakistani-American Federation of New York, Midwood, Brooklyn; Shiv Charan Dass, President, Jackson Heights Merchants Association; Gayatri Devi, Founder-President and Artistic Director, AUM UP ASANA; choreographer and performer, Bharata Natyam, Manhattan; Kamal B. Karki, Former President, American-Nepal Friendship Society; Rev. Heenbunne Kondanna, Spiritual Leader, Staten Island Buddhist Temple; and, Harbachan Singh, Former United Nation’s Official Chairman, Sikh-American Friendship Foundation, Holliswood, Queens.

The Shiv Jyoti Dance Academy and Punjabi Folk Dance Bhangra performed at the event.

For photographs, please contact Marla Maritzer at (212) 669-2597 or mmaritz@comptroller.nyc.gov.