NEW YORK: Six outstanding Indian-Americans received the prestigious 2017 Ellis Island Medals of Honor, by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organisations. PepsiCo chief executive officer Indra Nooyi, journalist and author Fareed Zakaria, and Harman International Industries chairman and CEO Dinesh Paliwal were amongst those who received the award.
The international medal of honor was also given to Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai. The medals are given annually to individuals whose accomplishments in their field and service to the country are cause for celebration. They additionally embody the spirit of America in their celebration of patriotism, tolerance, brotherhood, and diversity and recognise individuals who have made it their mission to share with the less fortunate. Others to be honoured were Dr Annapoorna S Kini, Yashvant Patel, Mohan H Patel, and Pakistani-American Dr Adil Haider.
The medal, since its founding in 1986, has been officially recognised by both Houses of Congress as one of the nation's most prestigious awards. It has honoured diverse and distinguished Americans, including six presidents, former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, and others like Frank Sinatra, Lee Iacocca, Quincy Jones, Muhammad Ali, and Noble laureate Elie Wiesel.
