Dr. Parthasarathy Pillai

Dr. Parthasarathy Pillai, considered as the ‘godfather ‘of the community elders in Washington, DC (India Abroad, Friday, June 4, 2010), has contributed both to US politics and community service.  He is an elected at large member of the Maryland State Democratic Central Committee, and Chairman of the Coalition of Asian and Pacific American Democrats. He is a former president and chairman of National Federation of Indian American Associations (NFIA), and former president of Federation of Kerala Association in North America (FOKANA). 

The resident of College Park is known for his deep interest in promoting US-India Relations, Indian Culture, and the well being of Indians in USA for over thirty-nine years.  He has 34 years of teaching and research experience in both academia and government with over 78 research papers and abstracts to his credit. He also is a recipient of cash awards and citations for his outstanding research leading to the discovery of new crop protection chemicals.  

Understanding the need for the Indian Americans with out any religious separation, Dr. Pillai, with a group of prominent community leaders, organized and did the ground work for building and maintaining a ”India Community Center, Inc. Washington, USA” which facilitate as a Senior Citizen Center, Youth Center, Wedding and Conference Center in Washington, D.C., US Capital, a symbol of India- US friendship and also a symbol of Indian American Model Community. Dr. Pillai is the Organizer and President of the Center.

 Dr. Pillai led the organization of First Indian American Youth conference (1991), a Trade and Technology Conference (2002) and the 50th Anniversary celebration of India’s Independence in 1997 that was attended by the First Lady of the United States, Honorable Hillary Rodham Clinton, Secretary of State Madeline Albright, and other Cabinet Secretaries.

He was instrumental in the passage of a bill in Maryland Assembly condemning the discrimination against People of Asian Origin and, later on, getting a Congressional and Senate resolution (S.con.Res.53, August 1999) supported by Senators Barbara Mikulski and Dianne Feinstein. He worked with the U.S. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer for introducing a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives to have Medicare Insurance Coverage for Senior Citizens traveling abroad seeking medical care outside the United States, which will promote ‘Medical tourism’ and help NRI to stay longer in India and Abroad; His efforts helped stop the passage of the ‘English only’ bill in the Maryland State Assembly.

As the President and Chairman of NFIA, and on behalf of NFIA, Dr. Pillai, chaired many annual Congressional Luncheons,  worked with other Indian American community leaders, Congressmen, and Senators for the Congressional approval of the US-India Civil Nuclear Agreement 2008, member of the Indian American Task Force meet with congressional leaders, discuss and explain to them the issues like terrorist attacks, military aid to Pakistan,  reforming the education system and school syllabus that teaches hatred of non-believers of Islam, forced conversion of Hindus in Pakistan, and  persuade them to be member of India Senate Caucus and India House Caucus Members. Continuously lobbying with members of U S Congress, Senate and Administration in support for a permanent seat in United Nation Security Council. 

As president of NFIA, achieved the establishment of a center in India for Examination offered by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign nursing Schools (CGFNS), in USA. With continuous efforts and through memorandum by Dr Pillai and his wife Ann Pillai (President of Federation of Indian American Associations-National Capital Region), to Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, Foreign Minister Yashwant Singh, opposition Party Leader, Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi, on June 13, 2001, have agreed  to the opening of a center in India. Now there are four Centers, where thousands of graduate nurses could take examinations, otherwise, have to go out to other countries to take the Examinations. Also arrangements were made with the government of Kerala to open up a center in Kerala with CGFNS Center in Philadelphia, USA, for conducting Examinations.      Dr. Pillai, attended the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Celebration 2003, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 with family  and spoke at a Seminar on NRI issues, and activities,  at the invitation of Secretary J.C. Sharma and  other organizers.

As a part of P.B.D. Celebration, NFIA organized a one-day conference attended by Dr. Amit Mitra, Dr. L.M. Singhvi, Hon. Vayalar Ravi, Minister for Pravasi Affairs and several dignitaries from several countries.

In 1992, as president of FOKANA, established a project “ADOLLAR FOR MY LANGUAGE” (Dr. Pillai, Chair), to promote and support Malayalam Literature, by encouraging and awarding the best students of High schools, BA  & MA Malayalam major, and best Ph. D. Thesis in five Universities in Kerala every year.  Registrar Kerala University and a panel of judges constitute a committee decides the winners.

AS a former President of FOKANA, in 1996, an MOU was signed between the Government of Kerala ( in the presence of Chief minister A.K. Antony), and Loma Linda Medical University, California, to train, and upgrade the Emergency Doctors and Nurses I all hospitals and Medical  Colleges in Kerala (India).

Worked with Mr. Vinod Thomas, Vice President, World Bank, and NEST Technology,  provided computers with internet access, and  training to high School Teachers and students in rural areas of Kerala through the Education Department of Kerala.

In2001, shipped containers of medical equipments and medicine to use in Government Hospitals and Dispensaries in Kerala

Amongst his other activities, he helped to establish a number of NRI /PIO Community organizations in USA, including Federation of Indian American Associations of the National Capital Region. He organized and coordinated several Charity-Fundraising for the relief victims: Maharashtra Earthquake, Orissa Hurricane, Gujarat Earthquake, Tsunami, and Hurricane Katrina victims (USA).  He was a national coordinator for 2000 U.S. Census.

He played an important role in getting the Gandhi Statue installed on the Federal Property in front of the Indian Embassy and continued to be associated with Gandhi Foundation in Atlanta and San Francisco.

He received Distinguished Service Award from NFIA (2006), FIA-NCR (2008), NCAIA (2009), and FOKANA (1998). Best Leader-ship Award from World Business Forum and Congressional Citation (2005), Hind Rattan Award (from Non Resident Indian Welfare Society of India) for outstanding services, achievements, and contributions (1991). Awarded Indian Council of Agricultural Research Senior Fellowship (1966-1970); Several Awards for excellent service to Asian American Community, including, but not limited to the FOKANA, Kerala Cultural Forum of New Jersey, Kerala Cultural Association of North America, NY, and Indian American Kerala Center NY. Selected to Personalities of the South Award (1976-77); Inducted as member of the International WHO’S WHO Historical Society (2005-2006), and in the Year Book of Distinguished Americans (2005-2006 Edition). Received several Citations and Certificates of recognition from County Executives, Governors, and Presidents of United States.

Dr. Pillai deserves to be honored for his lifelong, dedicated, community and public service.