PRAVASI BHARATIYA SAMMAN 2025: Sharmila Ford is India’s Cultural Ambassador in US
A Lasting Legacy:
- Sharmila Ford’s recognition with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award celebrates her unwavering dedication to cultural preservation and international understanding
- Her efforts exemplify the potential of cultural ambassadors to bridge traditions and build meaningful global connections
- Her legacy serves as a guiding light for future generations striving to promote cultural harmony in an interconnected world
Sharmila Ford, widely known in the ISKCON community as Svaha Devi Dasi, has been awarded the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA) for 2025. This accolade, the highest recognition conferred upon overseas Indians, celebrates her outstanding contributions to cultural service. The award was presented by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, during the Valedictory Session of the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention, held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, from January 8–10, 2025.
This honor underscores Ford’s transformative impact in the United States and her steadfast commitment to promoting equality, well-being, and cultural understanding.
A Bridge Between Two Worlds
Sharmila Ford exemplifies the harmonious fusion of Indian spiritual heritage and American society. Her recognition with the PBSA highlights decades of dedicated work in preserving and promoting Indian culture internationally. By fostering cultural and spiritual exchange, she has built enduring bridges between Eastern and Western perspectives.
Heritage and Family Legacy
Hailing from a distinguished Bengali Brahmin family, Ford’s roots in Indian culture run deep. Her great-grandfather served as the prime minister to the king of Jaipur, establishing a legacy of public service and cultural preservation. This lineage, coupled with her marriage to Alfred Ford—the great-grandson of automotive pioneer Henry Ford—has uniquely positioned her to blend two rich cultural traditions.
Cultural Advocacy in the United States
In the U.S., Ford has become a prominent advocate for Bengali culture. Her initiatives extend beyond conventional cultural programs, creating platforms for education and exchange that maintain Indian traditions while making them accessible to Western audiences. Her efforts have enriched the lives of countless Indian-Americans and strengthened their connection to their heritage.
Spiritual Leadership in ISKCON
As a dedicated member of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), Ford has significantly advanced the understanding of Vedic culture in the West. Her commitment to spiritual education has not only deepened appreciation for Indian traditions among American audiences but also helped younger generations of Indian-Americans stay connected to their cultural roots.
Championing the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium
One of Ford’s most notable achievements is her advocacy for the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium (TOVP) in Mayapur, India. Collaborating with her husband, Alfred Ford (Ambarisa Dasa), the TOVP Chairman, she has played a pivotal role in this monumental project. The temple—a blend of traditional Indian architecture and modern engineering—stands as a testament to Indo-American cooperation and a beacon of cultural preservation.
Community Building and International Relations
Ford’s initiatives in community development have fostered lasting ties between India and the United States. Through cultural programs, educational endeavors, and spiritual outreach, she has cultivated mutual appreciation and understanding between these nations. Her work has created sustainable opportunities for cultural exchange, benefiting both Indian and American communities.
***********************************************************
Readers
These are extraordinary times. All of us have to rely on high-impact, trustworthy journalism. And this is especially true of the Indian Diaspora. Members of the Indian community overseas cannot be fed with inaccurate news.
Pravasi Samwad is a venture that has no shareholders. It is the result of an impassioned initiative of a handful of Indian journalists spread around the world. We have taken a small step forward with the pledge to provide news with accuracy, free from political and commercial influence. Our aim is to keep you, our readers, informed about developments at ‘home’ and across the world that affect you.
Please help us to keep our journalism independent and free.
In these difficult times, running a news website requires finances. While every contribution, big or small, will make a difference, we request our readers to put us in touch with advertisers worldwide. It will be a great help.
For more information: pravasisamwad00@gmail.com