sikhpride

Included in his wide circle of friends are presidents, prime ministers, celebrities and business tycoons. His neighbors include the likes of Barbara Streisad and Martina Sheen. And he has over the years hosted a varitable who’s who of America and India. In U.S.A. also, his work took him to various cities starting from Newyork to Illinios to Washington D.C., and finally to Southern California, where he now lives with his wife. He has left his mark not only in his profession, but also in the political, social, cultural and charitable spheres in his adopted land as well as in his native India. He has a great love for his religion and always felt proud to be a turbaned Sikh. He always helped the Sikhs who came to America during long period of his stay. In 1969, on the occasion of the 500th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak, Dr. Marwah donated a building for making a Gurdwara and then Vermont Gurdwara became the first religious place and a focal point for the community in the Los Angeles area. His charitable activities and his friendly nature with everyone brought him many more positions. He was City Commissioner in 1974, the first Indian to be appointed to this position. He also chaired the cultural Heritage Commission and the Hollywood Art Commission for 18 years. “Under my signature, 300 sites were declared as protected monuments, including the Walk of Fame, the Roosevelt Hotel, and the Ambassador Hotel. We followed an open process under which people could complain and ask the council to overturn our decisions, he explains. He has also been actively associated with Sikhs in India and helping them with a view to promote the interest of Sikh community. For example, when Punjab & Sind Bank was nationalized in 1984, he associated with Dr. Inderjeet Singh to open a new Bank, Bank of Punjab and increase its branches at a rapid speed. Even now, when he’s lived more of his life in the United States than India, Dr. Marwah considers it his duty to give back. “I own it to my people and my country, who gave me t he basics in life”. That is what motivates him to build schools and roads in his hometown of Faridkot, Punjab. Because of his constant involvement with his homeland, Dr. Marwah has long been a goodwill ambassador of India back in the United States. And to give other like himself a chance in this foreign country, Dr. Marwah hosts annual lunches for Indian Full bright students and Indian Officials in California. Undoubtedly, he is one of the greatest role models for all the Indians.