COMMUNITY
VOICE OF ASIA 4
FRIDAY, February 16, 2018
ASIE welcomes new leadership with swearing in ceremony
H
OUSTON – On JanuThursday, ary 25, members of the American Society of Indian Engineers and Architects (ASIE) held the ceremonial event at the India House for the farewell to the 2017 Outgoing President Dinesh D. Shah and Board and Recognition and Induction of their new Board for 2018. It was almost a packed hall with nearly a one hundred attendants that included ASIE members, engineers and architects – students and young aspiring engineers, ASIE founders, Corporate Members, past presidents and supporters. The 2013 Past President Vishal Merchant performed the Emcee for the event. Vishal, briefly shared the historical information about ASIE and tradition of this ceremonial event. He mentioned, “It is rightfully said that behind any endeavor there is a team of dedicated individuals, working together in unison, to accomplish a common goal, but it is also equally important for that team to have a leader, who with their hard work and dedication sets an example for the entire team to follow. Who paves the way, lays out a vision, and works hard to make that vision a reality.” Then he shared with the audience, the list of many record breaking accomplishments made by the 2017 Board, under the leadership of the President. To justify the ASIE Mission to build the future of Architecture and engineering students, he recognized the 3rd year Architecture student at U of H, Mr. Tanmay Thakkar. He was mentored by Dinesh D. Shah by giving him an opportunity to earn and learn in this commercial real estate development business. Vishal added, “Tanmay, a student member of ASIE, made ASIE proud. He was selected as the first prize winner of the completion for affordable single family housing sponsored by the organization known as Seeds of Sharstown, in agreement with Gerald D. Hines college
plus fund for the year 2018. He recognized the outgoing board members Chetan Vyas, Madhu Kilambi, Gaju Patel, and Poolkeshi Patel for their dedicated contribution by presenting a plaque. He also presented a certificate of appreciation to continuing second year term board members – Chaitanya Gampa, Sirish Madichetti, Archana Sharma, and Tej Kour.
Incoming 2018 ASIE President presenting a plaque to Outgoing 2017 ASIE President Dinesh D. Shah.
Honorable Guest Dr. Daniel Wong TBPE Chairman and Former Sugar Land Councilman addressing the ASIE audience.
(L-R) Sekhar Ambadapudi, Avinash Patel, Archana Sharma, Tej Kour, Apoorv Kumar, Chaitanya Gampa (Sec), Sirish Madichetti (Tr), Showri Nandagiri (VP) and Sai Gowthami Asam (Pr) with Honorable Guest Dr. Daniel Wong . Photo (s) credit: Navin Mediwala of Architecture and Design at University of Houston.” After the remarkable intro-
duction given by Emcee, the outgoing president Dinesh D. Shah expressed his sincere thanks, with his humble heart,
to his board members and all supporters for making 2017 a successful year in the history filled with fourteen technical
seminars, architectural field trip, two ethics seminars, 40 corporate members, 285 total members, and passed on sur-
As a second part of the event, Emcee introduced the Honorable Guest Dr. Daniel Wong. He graduated from the University of Houston with a B.S.C.E. in 1983, M.S.C.E. in 1985 and Ph.D. in 1988. He currently serves as President and CEO of Tolunay-Wong Engineers, Inc. in Houston, Texas. Dr. Wong is serving as a Chairman for the Texas Board of Professional Engineers (TBPE) since 2012. Dr. Wong was elected and served as an At-Large City Councilman in the City of Sugar Land from 2002-2008. He is a trustee of the Fort Bend Economic Development Council and a member of the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Wong serves as a Board member of the University of Houston Civil Engineering Department Advisory Board and is a member of its Academy. He also served on the Board of Houston Council of Engineering Companies (formerly ACME) and as President of Asian American Engineers/Architects. He was recognized as the Young Engineer of the Year by the Sam Houston Chapter of Texas Society of Professional Engineers in 1993. He was named as the Distinguished Young Engineering Alumnus in 1998 and the Distinguished Engineering Alumnus in 2009 by the UH Engineering Alumni Association. Then Vishal introduce the incoming 2018 President Sai Gowthami Asam. Sai has been active member of ASIE since 2012. She served on ASIE Board as IT Chair and in Gala Continued on Page 7
Remebering My Beloved Brother Sri. P.K. Chandapillai, 86 years old was called to eternity on February 4, 2018. He died in the family home at Kozhuvalloor, Chengannoor, Kerala state He is my older brother, my teacher, friend, guide, philosopher, and most of the time father like person whenever I needed He retired as the Head Master of the Venmoney Salem UP school, just walking distance, between school and home, around 500 yards, First part of the funeral services, according to Mar Thoma tradition, was done at home and the body taken to the family church, Venmoney Salem Mar Thoma church Kozhuvalloor. After the final service, the body was buried in private family tomb stone already built in, near to this wife and parents. His beloved life partner for 60 years passed away exactly one year before on January 29, 2018. He was wheelchair bound for the last three years after a fall and broke his back. We are 5 siblings. Other surviving siblings are older sister 90, myself, 83, younger sister 80, and the younger brother 77. He was preceded in his death by his parents, Koshy Chandapillai and Saramma Koshy. He is survived by 2 sons, and grandchildren. He was a well known public speaker His funeral was celebrated on Friday (IST)10.30 in the morning under the leadership of the The Rt. Rev. Thomas Mar Timotheos Episcopa (Diocesan Bishop, Chengannur – Mavelikkar), Vicar Generals, Priests, political leaders, a large number of friends, community leaders ,and relatives from far and near. Sri. P.K. Chandapillai, died on February 4, 2018. He was 86.
Koshy Thomas
The Rt. Rev. Thomas Mar Timotheos Episcopa (Diocesan Bishop, Chengannur – Mavelikkar).
Vicar Generals and Priests during the funeral services on February 9, 2018.