Anita Choudhrie’s Family Honoured at Columbia University Medical Centre

At the official dedication of the Roy and Diana Vagelos Education Center, The Choudhrie Family Foundation was not only honoured but recognised for its efforts. The education centre is the new medical and graduate education building at the Columbia University Medical Centre in Manhattan. With the donation received from The Choudhrie Family Foundation, the medical centre constructed a Choudhrie Family Student Lounge, an area dedicated for hardworking students to relax and study between classes and other demands. 

Sudhir and Anita Choudhrie attended the event.

Lee Goldman, Dean of the Faculties of Health Sciences and Medicine at Columbia University Medical Center said “My good friends Bunny and Anita Choudhrie are major benefactors for the building and great friends of Columbia.” He also added, “I want to thank you for contributing your friendship and how much you mean to all of us here at the medical center.”

Choudhrie family has a long and important connection with Columbia University Medical Center. In 1999 the doctors at the medical centre had treated Sudhir Choudhrie in 1999 with a heart transplant. Their family had also donated $2.5 million to establish the Sudhir Choudhrie Professorship of Cardiology in 2009.

Columbia University President Lee C. Bollinger called the Choudhries and other donors “Columbian families through and through; you just can’t say enough about what these families have done for Columbia.”

On this honourable occasion, Bhanu Choudhrie, son of Sudhir and Anita Choudhrie said, “Our entire family is eternally grateful to everyone at Columbia. We are proud to be a part of this exciting new project and to be part of the Columbia University Medical Center family.”

Creator of World of Colours, Paresh Maity wins inaugural award

Paresh Maity, the renowned Indian artist, was awarded the editors award at an extravagant ceremony which was held to celebrate the Eastern Eye Arts, Culture and Theatre Awards (ACTAs), where the very best of British South-Asian talent is recognised. Paresh Maity is the first receiver of this prestigious award, which was presented by Hamza Jeetooa, the famous British actor cum film-maker. Hamza spoke highly of Maitys contributions to the art community and the deep impact he has created, he said: “Paresh Maity is one of the leading contemporary artists of his time and is regarded as India’s leading water colour painter – from a humble background not far from Kolkata, he was initially self-taught but slowly began to establish a strong reputation. His water and boats series brought him to the attention of the art community in India and since then he has gone onto become one of India’s most important painters".

Maity talked about his relationship with art and painting while receiving the award. His belief is that art is a medium of cultural diversity and a connoisseur can explore the numerous aspects and visions that life has to offer through art and develop different perspectives on life and culture.

He commented: “Winning this award is an incredible experience. I have always been inspired by our world of colours. My travels, which have taken me to many new countries, form an integral part of my life and my art. Our world is diverse and we need to celebrate that diversity – the way our individual and social lives intersect and bring vibrancy to the world. Colour is life; it is the universe. Without colour and the play of light and shade, life will cease. Art has a unique ability to transcend the everyday – whilst the common discourse tells us that different people and cultures are all antagonistic towards each other – art reminds us that we are all part of the same canvas.”

Paresh Maity’s paintings have found their way into revered collections, such as the British Museum, the National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi and the Vatican embassy in New Delhi amongst others. He is popularly known for using vibrant colours to evoke passion through paintings. His works have been honoured by the All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society Award for Best watercolour painting, Birla Academy of Art and Culture, the British Council visitor ship award, the Dayawati Modi award for Art, Culture and education and the Padma Shri award.

Anita Choudhrie, founder of the Stellar International Art Foundation, commented: 

"Paresh is a man who believes in humanity first and this ACTA award is a testament to that humanist ideal that inspires everything he does. It goes without saying, that this shows through in his creativity of colours and ingenuity on canvas. Paresh's spontaneity and imagination are vast and unique, and no doubt have helped him win professional and complimentary accolades across India and now internationally."

The Stellar International Art Foundation, which was conceptualised by the Choudhrie Family, has been amongst the first patrons and supporters of Paresh Maity. The foundation commissioned Maity to make watercolours of their vintage cars after meeting him over his very first exhibition in Delhi in the 1990s. Since then, the Foundation undertakes the majority of his oeuvre, including his largest series of watercolours, 57 pieces of Venice.