Indian Diaspora Council

Indian Diaspora Council participates in Conference at St. John’s University – May 22, 2021, New York, USA

St. John’s University Center for Caribbean & Latin American Studies (CLACS) CLACS XI Multidisciplinary Conference on Immigration Migration and Equality in the Covid-19 Pandemic

Panel Session:
“The Impact of Covid-19 on the Asian American and Caribbean Communities:
Inequality and Abuses”

Dr. Sharla Madho-Khargi is a clinical psychologist trained in Cognitive Behavior therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Psychoanalysis, is in private practice in Queens, NY. She is currently an adjunct faculty at St. Johns University and City University of New York. She is also a Mental Health Consultant to the Ministry of Public Health for mental health services in Guyana. She currently serves as the Director of Clinical/Community Services for the Indian Diaspora Council (IDC) and has been conducting research internationally for the past 10 years with a focus on mental illness, domestic violence, and disability in both children and adults. She is past president of the division of psychoanalysis for the New York State Psychological Association, and serves as a member of the disaster recovery network as well as the social justice committee for the legislative division of NYSPA.

Ashook Ramsaran, born in Guyana, founder/president of the Indian Diaspora Council (IDC) and past president of Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO). Actively engaged in Queens Civic Congress, Census 2020, New York Presbyterian Hospital Advisory Council, collaborates with St. John’s University Center for Caribbean & Latin American Studies, and others. Recipient of numerous awards local, national and international in recognition of his many years of outstanding community service.

John Albert, Esq. is a founding board member of Taking Our Seat, a local Queens-based organization working towards the political empowerment of the South Asian and Indo-Caribbean community. An attorney by training and a lobbyist by profession, John has been an active player in the recent redistricting effort of Queens’ neighborhoods. He has also worked with policymakers and key stakeholders to shape budget and policy initiatives designed to benefit after-school programs in New York City and nationwide. In his previous roles, John has developed legislative priorities and advocated on the behalf of domestic violence and sexual assault survivors, programs, and service providers.

Little Guyana Avenue – Co-Naming Ceremony

PANDIT RAMLALL WAY – Street Naming – In honor of the late Dharmacharya Pandit Ramlall

PANDIT RAMLALL WAY - Street Naming - In honor of the late Dharmacharya Pandit Ramlall
Sunday, June 27, 2021

11:30am – 1:00pm CEREMONY at Arya Spiritual Center, 104-36 133rd Street
1:00pm – 1:30pm UNVEILING of STREET SIGN, Corner of Liberty Ave & 133 St

Dharmacharya Pandit Ramlall, a selfless and avid community advocate, passed away on January 26, 2019 in Queens, New York at the age of 91 years. The late Dharmacharya Pandit Ramlall was a well-respected iconic spiritual leader and scholar, a freedom fighter in Guyana, and a pioneering community advocate who has been recognized locally and internationally for his life-long community service. He founded the annual Phagwah (Holi) Parade in New York and Queens Borough President declared March 23, 2003 at “Pandit Ramlall Day”. He was indeed a tremendous asset to the community with a lifetime of service to spirituality, justice and freedom.

Pandit Ramlall Way is overwhelmingly supported by community board members, residents, religious groups, businesses and organizations. In particular, the Arya Spiritual Center of New York (ASC-NY) founded by late Dharmacharya Pandit Ramlall, and being extensively used for various community events, including the annual Gandhi Peace March, Diwali Parade, Ramayana in the Park, etc. ASC-NY is located at 104-36 133rd Street in Ozone Park, 200 feet from the corner of Liberty Ave & 133rd Street where the new street sign will be unveiled.