Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, USA appoints new Executive Director

- ADVERTISEMENT -

The Board of Directors of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (BVB) unanimously appointed Sudhir Vaishnav as the new executive director to oversee and manage the Bhavan’s activities in the United States.

The organization is dedicated to promoting and preserving the arts, culture and heritage of India. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan was founded 81 years ago by K.M. Munshi, with the support of Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel.

Vaishnav is succeeding Deepak Dave who served as the executive director from 2008 through 2020, according to a press release from BVB.

“I am really humbled and honored to serve such a prestigious institution as its Executive Director and will try to live up to the Board’s expectations in trusting me to promote Indian culture. My whole family has been associated with BVB since its inception in 1981,” Vaishnav is quoted saying in the press release.

The BVB’s current U.S. Board of Directors consists of prominent members of the South Asian community based in New York. “We are delighted that Mr. Vaishnav has accepted the challenge to take the Bhavan to even greater heights,” stated Dr. Navin Mehta, BVB USA chair.

Over the years, the organization has established 119 centers in India and 7 centers abroad, alongside 367 constituent institutions. Its honorary members list includes among others, The Dalai Lama, The Prince of Wales Prince Charles, JRD Tata, Late Mother Teresa.

The US chapter, founded in 1981 with Padma Shri Dr. P Jayraman as its Executive Director, is based in Manhattan, New York, and its cultural activities include offering various classes in Indian dances and languages.

Other community leaders who are part of the US Board are Dr. Bhupendra Patel, Harish Mistry, Dr. Parveen Chopra, Yakub Matthew, Ravi Iyer, Riddhi Gandhi and Megha Bhouraskar.