Texas, Nov. 1, 2018: An Indian-American couple has been awarded for their contribution to the fields of literacy, education, and healthcare in India.

The couple was honored with Roy M. Huffington Award in Houston by Asia Society Texas.

Marie Goradia and Vijay Goradia received their award at Huffington Dinner, organized by Asia Society Texas Center (ASTC) on Oct.23.

ASTC said in its statement, “We are pleased to announce that Goradias are being recognized by Asia Society Texas Center (ASTC) as the recipients of the 2018 Huffington Award,” reported PTI.

Bonna Kol, ASTC President had said earlier, “Marie’s and Vijay’s dedication to lifting educational standards in disadvantaged parts of the world is exemplary. Without their support of Pratham, a charity which is closing the gap on universal literacy in India, millions of children would miss out on their true potential.”

“Our interconnected world is stronger because of them-they are a shining example of global leadership on many fronts,” she had added.

Vijay Goradia, 67, migrated to the United States in 1978 from Mumbai and founded Vinmar International, a global distribution company that year, which now does its business in 110 countries.

Goradia and his companies have been honored by many awards for their business success and philanthropic works.

To give something back to his motherland, Gordia founded the first American chapter of Pratham, an Indian non-profit organization dedicated to the education field. Since then, he has been among the biggest fundraisers for the organization, which has brought positive changes to many lives.

Dr. Marie Goradia did her Master’s in biochemistry and a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from Bombay University. She was also appointed as a research officer in Bhabha Atomic Research Center. She did her postdoctoral studies at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and Columbia University in New York.

Other than her professional life, the mother of two has been actively participating in volunteering works and philanthropic deeds. She serves on the Board of Directors of Pratham USA and has been president of Pratham Houston chapter.

The award has been named after ASTC co-founder Roy M Huffington and is the highest honor given by this center. It is given for outstanding contributions on an international scale. Former awardees include Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, former president George W Bush, and former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

(Little India)