Awardees

4TH ANNUAL S.A.S.A. RECOGNITION OF EXCELLENCE AWARDS

The S.A.S.A. Recognition of Excellence Awards is a prestigious awards ceremony that recognizes outstanding individuals who have significantly contributed to increasing the profile, awareness, and impact of the South Asian community in America. The award acknowledges the achievements of key individuals, including up-and-coming members of the South Asian community and those from the American community in a number of key areas including political achievement, business / professional achievement, achievement in the media including journalism, achievement in entertainment, fashion, film and theatre and humanitarian efforts.

The Awards Ceremony will be taking place on Sunday, January 7th at 5:00pm at the Deauville Beach Resort. It will be a Gala evening with Special Guest appearances and Buffet Dinner.

	BOBBY JINDAL SASA ENCOURAGEMENT IN POLITICS AWARD Who would have thought that a person of Indian Origin sitting in Louisiana would be not just a United States of America Congressman but be elected twice - all while being a Republican. Bobby Jindal has shown not just the South Asian Community but all of the world that the desire to service and assist those around him is most important. He is shown that determination and work ethic are rewarding and his ability to accomplish all this in a short amount of time is the reason why he is presented with the SASA Award for Encouragement in Politics.
	GOTHAM CHOPRA & SHARAD DEVRAJAN SASA VISIONARY AWARD Co-Founders of Virgin Comics, Gotham Chopra and Sharad Devrajan, are being presented with the SASA Visionary Award for thinking beyond the norms. Working with Marvel Comics they reinvented the Spider Man character as an Indian boy growing up in Mumbai. Unlike traditional translations of western comic magazines, the new series, "Spider-Man: India" was heralded as the industry's first "trans-creation".
	JAY SEAN SASA ARTIST OF THE YEAR AWARD With two singles charting in the top ten and an album that has gone multi-platinum in India and sold over 300,000 copies around the world - Jay Sean has emerged as an R&B singer that is redefining the UK'S urban music rulebook. Touring internationally this past year to sold out audiences has earned Jay Sean the SASA Award for Artist of the Year.
	KAL PENN SASA OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN ACTING AWARD Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle, Van Wilder: The Rise of Taj, & Superman Returns - need we say more? Kal Penn has made his debut into Hollywood and continues to surge forward with the much anticipated release of The Namesake as well a role on the hit Fox series 24 opposite Keifer Sutherland. Kal has managed to break into the mainstream movie and television industries in a way few South Asians have and proves to be an inspiration for young actors everywhere and so we proudly present the SASA Outstanding Achievement in Acting Award.
	ROCKY PATEL SASA EXCELLENCE IN BUSINESS AWARD Who would have thought that a 'biddi' would be cool? Well maybe not a 'biddi' but a cigar. Imagine what it must have took for a young man to tell his parents that being a doctor is not what he will be pursuing but it would be selling cigars. That alone should earn him an award! The ability to pursue a dream and to make it a reality is what Rocky Patel made his mission and that success has translated into him receiving the SASA EXCELLENCE IN BUSINESS AWARD.
	THARA SASA BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST OF THE YEAR This tribal pop avatar, Thara is one of the first South Asian artists to have her music played on mainstream radio in the US such as Hot 97. She has been involved in the writing process for nearly all her songs and has worked alongside the writers of Beyonce, Rihanna, Jo Jo, Usher and J-Lo. Her new single Push Up on Me with Rupee of Tempted to Touch fame is set to create waves in the states as well as abroad. Thara success in working with artists such as Rupee, DJ Clue, Fabolous, Fatman Scoop and Israel as well has her acceptance into the mainstream music market has earned her the SASA Breakthrough Artist of the Year.
	TINA SUGANDH SASA AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN MUSIC Tina's commitment and dedication to her music has earned her this prestigious award. She has traveled the globe performing everywhere from LA to London, Toronto to Mumbai. Her collaborations with artists like Little Steven (Bruce Springsteen, Sopranos) and Dave Stewart (Eurythmics) as well as her own songs in movies and soundtracks (Raise Your Voice, Ice Princess) has already exposed her remarkable musical talents to the world. Now, with her debut record coming on One Haven/SonyBMG USA Tina's hard work and passion has paid off. Her music, commitment to her culture, tremendous performances and musical talents are what gives her the SASA AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN MUSIC.