Consul General of India in New York, Prabhu Dayal; Ambassador Pramathesh Rath, the Indian envoy to Argentina; Assemblyman Peter Barnes, DN.J.; Veena Merchant, consulting editor (emeritus) News India Times and Desi Talk; Rep. Frank Pallone, D-N.J.; Edison Mayor Jun Choi; Assemblyman Samuel Thompson, R-N.J.; Assemblywoman and Majority Leader Bonnie Coleman, D-N.J.; Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein, D-N.J.; V.R.S.Sampath, chairman of World Economic Development; Principal Secretary S.K. Nanda; Ramesh Patel, chairman of the Federation of Indian Associations; Bollywood filmmaker Anil Sharma; and H.R.Shah, chairman of TV Asia were some of the dignitaries who attended the gala.

Dr. Purvi Parikh, daughter of Drs. Sudha and Sudhir Parikh, was the MC at the event, which began with a dance recital by students of Sudhamini Dance Academy.

Rath, in his introductory speech, recognized Dr. Sudhir Parikh's "constant striving for excellence" and wished him success in his new endeavor.

Dayal, congratulating Parikh on the new venture said the new ownership would "re-energize" the newspapers to serve the community. "Ethnic media not only serves the Indian-American community but also blossoming U.S.-India relations,"Dayal said, adding, "at a time when there is a slowdown in the mainstream media, the ethnic media is doing so well." "the media plays an important public service role," choi said. describing the relationship between public servants and the media, he said, it is a "give and take relationship, with the media providing the content and texture.

… i congratulate these two newspapers for not just reporting the news but providing the context of why that news is useful." announcing her official retire- ment, merchant, former editor of the publications, said she was confident parikh, who is "embedded in the community," would maintain the papers' high standards of excellence. "the journey (of the transition) has been so long, but the end has been wonderful," she said.

as she exited the podium, she received a standing ovation in honor of her services and contributions to journalism and the indian-american community.

pramod amin of the vraj temple in schuylkill haven, penn., blessed the parikhs and their new venture.

parikh, a practicing consult- ing allergist, thanked the guests, mainly comprising of community leaders and politicians as well as the advertisers, for their continued support and their presence in celebrating an important occasion.

talking about his foray into the media, he said, "if you really look closely, you will notice that medicine and journalism have a lot in common. both professions have a lot to do with examining what ails us and then prescribing solutions to those ailments.

both professions are in the business of informing people about how to be in good health and maintain a good shape." journalism is all about warning people about social and political allergies, he continued.

he said he looked upon the media, first as a platform where readers can inform themselves and others about the life and times of indian americans.

"it's where we articulate our aspirations. debate the issues that concern us. examine our faults and correct them. and finally, celebrate our successes." secondly, he said he saw the publications as a looking glass through which indian americans can view mainstream society. "good journalism helps us assimilate into the mainstream, and it helps the society at large to accommodate and accept us," parikh said.looking upon good journalism as helping to maintain a fine balance to help retain indian values, traditions and customs, parikh said he sees his publications serving as a bridge for second-generation indian americans.

"for me, media is not just business," he said. "it is a jour members of the sudhaminii dance academy performing a number at the event. left, dr. purvi parikh who emceed the event. extreme left, from left, roger sengupta, uma sengupta and dr. parikh receive citations form assemblymen joesph crowley (d-ny) and gregory meeks (d-ny).

ney. a part of my american journey." parikh's speech was followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

all the dignitaries and distinguished guests were invited on the podium to inaugurate the new editions of news india times and desi talk. sampath presented a momento to drs.

sudha and sudhir parikh.

pallone, who arrived during dinner, spoke about the burgeoning u.s.-india relationship and the role the media plays in it. "whether it is the india caucus or u.s. foreign policy, or immigration, your input continues to be very important," pallone said.

a film about the role of the media in "making a difference" and the new news india times and desi talk was screened.

indian-american singer bela modi and her troupe enthralled the audience with a live performance of bollywood songs.