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Indian Americans named to Commission on South Asian American Affairs in Maryland

The commission has over ten people of Indian origin on it.

(Top L-R) Arti Bhatt, Raj Borsellino, Kausik Das, Preeti Emrick. (Bottom L-R) Preeti Menon, Devang Shah, Aman Shergill, and Archana Thakkar /

Maryland Governor Wes Moore recently announced his picks for the Governor's Commission on South Asian American Affairs, a group tasked with providing counsel to the administration and state entities regarding matters concerning Maryland's expanding South Asian American population. 

Gurpreet Takhar has been appointed to lead the commission as its chair. Other appointees of Indian origin include Arti Bhatt, Raj Borsellino, Kausik Das, Preeti Emrick, Preeti Menon, Nivea Ohri, Sushma Potluri, Amarjeet Sandhu, Devang Shah, Harshid Shah, Aman Shergill, and Archana Thakkar. 

Takhar holds the position of CEO at Tru Health Now, a company overseeing community health centers that offer a comprehensive array of healthcare services, spanning from primary care to urgent care. Bhatt works as a practitioner specializing in diversity, equity, and inclusion at the non-profit Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. Additionally, Bhatt is actively involved with the Frederick County Public School Board of Education, where they contribute to the racial equity committee.

Borsellino presently holds the role of vice president and director of National Programming at the Truist Foundation. In this capacity, Borsellino collaborates with non-profit organizations to support and advance their missions.

Das serves as a professor of physics and holds the position of director of the Center for Student Excellence at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Emrick holds the distinction of being the highest-ranking Asian American official in the Anne Arundel County government, serving as the director of the Anne Arundel County Office of Emergency Management.

Menon co-founded and leads the Children's Institute of Cultural Appreciation and Understanding. She volunteers with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and serves as the Parent-Teacher Association president at her local elementary school. 

Ohri works as an associate attorney at the Law Offices of Baldwin, Briscoe & Steinmetz, P.C. in Waldorf. Her legal practice encompasses representation in civil, domestic, criminal, and real estate matters. Additionally, Ohri is a member of the Leadership Southern Maryland Candidate class of 2024.

Potluri is the president and owner of MKA Designs, Inc. in Frederick County. Additionally, she actively contributes to her local community as the Parent-Teacher Association president of Urbana High School. Potluri has also initiated heritage nights to share her traditions and culture with the Urbana community.

Sandhu owns multiple franchises including Exxon, Circle K, and Subway. He currently holds the position of president at Sikhs of DMV, and he served as the president of the Punjabi Club of Maryland for five years. Shah, an immigration attorney, investor, and entrepreneur, oversees businesses in the hospitality, biotech, and food industries. He holds the role of vice president at the National Council of Asian Indian Associations and serves as a board member with the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation. 

Shergill is a committed community volunteer, serving as co-founder and executive committee member of Communities United Against Hate, executive board member of the Interfaith Council of Metropolitan Washington, and co-founder of EcoSikh Summer Youth Camp.

Lastly, Thakkar, a medical professional with over 25 years of experience in healthcare, has dedicated the past 15 years to community outreach and public affairs volunteering with Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, a prominent Hindu faith and social service organization.

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