At the 1st Annual Indian Community Association Forum held in Atlanta, Georgia, Svaha Devi Dasi (Dr. Sharmila Ford) was honored with the Prabasi Bharata Saman award for her outstanding contributions to cultural preservation and spiritual service. The Consul General presented her with the medal and certificate that the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, conferred during the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas 2025, held in Odisha. It is the country’s highest honor for Indians living overseas. The March 8th event was themed, “Bridging Generations, Building Futures.”
In her acceptance speech, she expressed her deep gratitude for the recognition, crediting her spiritual journey to the blessings of Lord Krishna and His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
Reflecting on her personal and professional endeavors, Svaha Dasi highlighted her role in fostering devotion and unity through cultural and academic platforms. She spoke of her involvement with the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and her position as Creative Director of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium (TOVP) in Mayapur. She described the TOVP as one of the most significant cultural-spiritual projects of our time—a convergence of architecture, science, and sacred philosophy aimed at bridging ancient Vedic wisdom with the modern world.
Svaha Devi Dasi is the wife of Ambarisa Das (Alfred Ford), the great-grandson of the auto magnate Henry Ford, and the Chairman of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.
In her closing remarks, she invited attendees to witness the marvels of the TOVP firsthand, where record-breaking pilgrimages now take place. She emphasized that the temple is not just a spiritual hub but a global symbol of India’s timeless values. “As I accept this honor today,” she said, “I do so as a humble servant of a rich spiritual heritage.”
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