Chanderpaul cops Icon Award at ICA annual gala

Georgetown, Guyana - The Indo-Caribbean Alliance (ICA) on Sunday hosted its third annual gala under the nautical inspired theme “Unanchored” with several prominent individuals in different spheres of society being honoured for their contribution to their respective fields.

The New York-based group catered for over 350 guests in the five-hour event, which was held at the World’s Fair Marina. Veteran Guyana and West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul was among four persons, who were honoured at the ceremony.

Chanderpaul, the Region’s most capped Test cricketer, copped the Icon Award, while television personality Lakshmee Singh was given a Community Impact Award, New York City Council Member Eric Ulrich was bestowed with the Civic Leadership Award, and businessman Dave Kadernauth of The Nest Restaurant received the Business Leadership Award.

Chanderpaul said moments after receiving the accolade, “I’m happy to support the Indo-Caribbean Alliance, and humbled to receive their highest award, the Icon Award. We want to see this organisation succeed in providing programmes for residents in New York City.

Chanderpaul, a former Captain of the West Indies, was the first Indo-Caribbean player to appear in 100 Test matches. He has scored over 20,000 runs in international cricket, and in 2008, was awarded the coveted prize of Cricketer-of-the-Year by the International Cricket Council.

Other awardees

Singh is the host and producer of the television show “Let’s Talk with Lakshmee.”  The show is aired on Time Warner Cable and broadcast in seven neighbouring states, as well as in Guyana.

Singh, who is sometimes referred to as the “Guyanese Oprah”, is also the organiser of the annual Diwali Motorcade and Nagar. After 15 years, the event has grown to become the largest celebration of Diwali in New York City and serves as a true symbol of how large and vibrant the Hindu and Indo-Caribbean community is in the City.

A true humanitarian, Singh regularly travels to Guyana while also working to help the diaspora in New York. In addition, Singh is an activist, a classically trained dancer, and an actress.

“Success does not come easily as we all know. It comes through plenty hard work and sacrifice. I must count myself lucky to receive the great support of my mentors and our Indo-Caribbean community,” she said.

Ulrich became a New York City Council Member in a special election in 2009, two weeks after his 24th birthday, making him one of the youngest people to ever hold public office in New York City.

Ulrich represents a diverse district that includes South Ozone Park, Ozone Park and Woodhaven, areas with a significant Indo-Caribbean and South Asian population.

He has made consistent efforts to support immigrant causes in his district, including directly funding organisations like ICA.

In 2010, Ulrich hosted a Chowtal celebration at City Hall in observance of the Hindu spring festival of Phagwah. He is also a regular attendee of several mandirs (Hindu places of worship), as well as Indo-Caribbean events and festivals.

Ulrich said, “I’m proud to represent one of the largest Indo-Caribbean communities in New York City. Our neighbourhoods are better places to live, work and raise a family because of the hard work of the Indo-Caribbean Alliance. I am honoured to receive their Civic Leadership Award.”

The Nest Restaurant is owned and operated by Devindra “Dave” Kadernauth. Kadernauth has grown the brand to become a symbol of Indo-Caribbean entrepreneurship and an important landmark in the Little Guyana cultural district in Richmond Hill, Queens.

With a culinary and business passion, Kadernauth was always motivated to have his own restaurant. In 2013, The Nest hosted the first annual restaurant-run Duck Curry competition. Currently, the restaurant serves over 15 flavours of shrimp, its signature dish.

Born in Rose Hall, Berbice, Kadernauth moved to New York with his parents and two other siblings in 1970.

“The Nest Restaurant is thrilled to receive this award and we will continue to make Little Guyana in Queens a culinary capital with our fine cuisine. My family and I are deeply honoured,” Kadernauth said after receiving the recognition.

The event was made possible through support from Adrian Drepaul, Caribbean Airlines, Investors Bank, Demerara Distillers, H & N Insurance, Rauch Foundation, Zen Lounge, Brooklyn Brewery, M & T Bank, Con Edison, Imagine Nation Foundation, Argento SC, Sheriza Majid, The Nest Restaurant, Leo F. Kearns Funeral Homes, Regan Persaud, Zen Hibachi Lounge, Filmmaker Ian Harinarine- Doubles with Slight Pepper, Radisson Hotel JFK and iNimit Moments photography.

ICA is a United States registered non-profit organisation based in Queens, New York.  It was founded in 2008 by three residents who wanted to organise their community to create the programmes and services in the underserved Indo-Caribbean and South Asian enclaves in New York City.

The mission is to unify and advance Indo-Caribbean and South Asian interests by fostering joint and collaborative actions among different peoples, organisations and businesses.

First Published In The Guyana Times.