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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline AUGUST 28, 2026 | The Indian Eye 30

RANA Celebrates RANA Day & India’s

Independence Day, Honors Dr. Samin K. Sharma

OUR BUREAU
New York, NY
he Rajasthan Association of North America
(RANA), New York, celebrated RANA Day
Tand India’s Independence Day with a spe-
cial luncheon honoring internationally renowned
cardiologist Dr. Samin K. Sharma on his recent ap-
pointment as Chief of Clinical Cardiology at Mount
Sinai. The luncheon was graciously hosted on behalf
of RANA by Nitin and Sapna Dhariwal.
Last year, New York City—one of the world’s
largest economies—officially proclaimed August
6 as “RANA Day,” recognizing RANA’s contribu-
tions to the Rajasthani and broader Indian diaspora.
Addressing the gathering, RANA President
Prem Bhandari said, “Dr. Samin Sharma means
cardiology.” He praised Dr. Sharma’s extraor-
dinary professional achievements and his long-
standing commitment to humanitarian and com-
munity causes.
Bhandari also highlighted RANA’s growing
focus on social welfare initiatives in Rajasthan, RANA President Prem Bhandari addresses the gathering Honoring Dr. Samin K. Sharma
particularly for Ghumantu, Ardh-Ghumantu and
Denotified communities. He paid special tribute to
Durgadas Ji, National Head of Ghumantu Jati Ut-
than Nyas, for devoting more than a decade to the
upliftment and welfare of these communities.
Bhandari said that RANA and the Chan-
dra–K.K. Mehta Family Foundation have consis-
tently supported initiatives in sanitation, social
awareness and employment. These efforts have
included programs at Chetna Basti, Jaysinghpura
Khor, sanitation initiatives inspired by Prime Min-
ister Narendra Modi’s Swachh Bharat Mission, and
a Rozgar Mela aimed at creating livelihood and em-
ployment opportunities for these families.
Bhandari, who serves as Chairman of the Ad-
visory Board of the Chandra–K.K. Mehta Family
Foundation, also announced an ambitious long-
term educational commitment. “It is our dream to
see children from these communities become doc-
tors, engineers and civil servants. We are commit-
ted to identifying deserving children and supporting
their education from the very beginning so that fi-
nancial limitations do not stand in the way of their
dreams,” he said.
The celebration was attended by Dilip Chau-
han, who was instrumental in securing New York
City’s proclamation of RANA Day last year, and se- RANA Vice President Dr. Sharad Kothari, Sec- 27th Deepmahotsav on November 15, 2026, bring-
nior Indian Foreign Service officer Surender Adha- retary Ravi Jargarh, and Treasurer Neelam Modi ing together the Rajasthani and wider Indian-Amer-
na. RANA patrons present included Dr. Narinder presented a floral tribute to Dr. Samin K. Sharma ican community for one of the organization’s flag-
Kukar, Chairman of RANA Deepmahotsav 2026; in recognition of his remarkable achievements and ship annual celebrations. During the occasion,
K.K. Mehta; Hari Das Kotewala; Ashok Sancheti; service to society. Dr. Ravi Murarka, Media Chair RANA will honor distinguished philanthropists
and Anand Nahar, along with RANA Executive of RANA, also joined the celebration and highlight- Rajeev Daga, Dr. Lucky Jain and Amit Bhansali in
Committee and Board members. ed the importance of RANA Day in strengthening recognition of their philanthropic contributions and
Also present were Ajay Patel, President of the organization’s cultural identity, community en- service to the community.
BRUHUD NY Seniors, and Beena Kothari, Presi- gagement, and connection with the broader Indi- The 27th Deepmahotsav will be chaired by Dr.
dent of the AIA New York Chapter, along with oth- an-American community. Narinder Kukar, a RANA Patron and longtime sup-
er distinguished members of the Indian diaspora. RANA also announced that it will celebrate its porter of community and humanitarian initiatives.

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