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Indo American News • Friday, December 17 , 2010

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Pradeep Anand: A Book Launching and A condolence m meeting in mumbai m

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Author Pradeep Anand (center) flanked by editor Kirat Patel and Nandan Nilekani, Chairman of the new Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), after a successful career at Infosys Technologies Ltd.

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By PradeeP anand MUMBAI: At 2:30 am, on the day of the book launch of An Indian in Cowboy Country, my mother passed away. Her health had been declining since July and she simply stopped breathing that morning. Like every mother, mine was special to my siblings and me, and we were intensely saddened by the loss of this great woman, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, whose entire life was built on three pillars–love, duty and integrity. My siblings and I did not take long to determine our mother’s wishes regarding the book launch– she would have told us to honor our commitment. Too many people had worked too hard and traveled from different parts of India and the globe to be disappointed by her absence. At the book launch, it was obvious that she was special to many, many, many more than just the children she had borne. The book launch turned into a tribute to her with Kirat Patel leading the way, recalling his memories of her and her large heart. Nandan Nile-

kani, who was also a recipient of her kindness, followed with his thoughts, before we moved into the program for the evening. It was a unique condolence meeting that had signs of my mother’s divine intervention-she brought together my closest friends in India and abroad (including many from Don Bosco School and IIT Bombay), my in-laws, and strangers, who shared my sorrow. Under media glare, my audience, Nandan and I had a warm, casual and familial conversation about the book. Then I read two excerpts–one from The Interview where the hero is called an ‘Indian in Cowboy Country” and one from “The Touch”. Later, we had a few questions from the audience and the host/MC (who was terrific) and a few humorous jabs by my friends in the audience. My friend Rajan Raman said in a text message, “The function was exactly how Amma (my mother) would have liked it to be–to see her son applauded again and again for the wonderful work he keeps doing all the time, again and again…Kirat spoke exactly what

your mom did for all of us each time (we visited your home).” My brother’s brother-in-law, Raju Sunny, summarized it in an email to me, “The launch was more a tribute to your mom, which was endearing and heart warming and also, rather than serious launch… a gathering of old friends, with friendly banter and ribbing which gave the whole evening a pleasant feel. Good show!” The day could have been an emotional roller coaster but it wasn’t. Ever since my mother’s health began to decline in July, a sense of equanimity had begun to settle on me. When she breathed her last, I discovered myself in a unique spot where peace reigns. I know Amma is in a better place and from there she gave me and the book launch an extra maternal fillip. As many good books say, ours is to do without expectations of enjoying the fruits of our actions. An Indian in Cowboy Country has been launched and is in orbit. I hope people read it and discover my mother’s influence in it. It’s all there in black and white. I was just an instrument, her pen.

maryland Governor’s Award for dr. dronamraju Under the Business initiative started by the Governor of Maryland, MIBRT, Maryland - India Business Roundtable, Inc, Dr. Krishna R. Dronamraju has been recognized for receiving the “MIBRT Global Emerging Genetic Technology of the Year Award for 2010”. Writing on behalf of the Governor of Maryland, Dr. Elisha Pulivarti, Executive Director of the Maryland-India Business Roundtable Inc., informed Dr. Dronamraju that “This recognition is an honor shared by only the most accomplished, outstanding and innovative professionals who have demonstrated excellence within their careers and communities.” The award ceremony took place in Greenbelt, Maryland, on December 14. The MIBRT initia-

Dr. Dronamraju with Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, “Father” of India’s Green Revolution” and Member of the Parliament (Rajya Sabha).

tive was started by the Maryland Governor to promote business and trade relations between Maryland and India. Dr. Dronamraju is President of the Foundation for Genetic Research in Houston, and is the recipient of many awards in recogni-

tion of his achievements in genetic technology. He is a recipient of the prestigious Y. Nayudamma Award, an honor he shares with the Telecom guru Sam Pitroda, former ISRO chairman K. Kasturirangan, and Missile scientist & Director-General of DRDO Vijay Kumar Saraswat. Dr. Dronamraju is a Visiting Professor of the University of Paris and an Honorary Research Fellow of the University of London. He was a member of the National Institutes of Health’s DNA Advisory Committee, U.S. Department of Heath & Human Services in Washington D.C. He was a member of President Bill Clinton’s delegation to India, and the author of eighteen books in Genetics and Biotechnology. He has been nominated for the Nobel Prize.

Indo AmerIcAn news • FrIdAy, A decemBer 17 , 2010 • Online editiOn: Ay, On: www.indOamerican-news.cOm O