A senior Indian-American community leader in Washington has been appointed by President George W Bush to serve as a member of the President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities.
Sambhu N Banik, pofessor of Psychology and Counseling, Bowie State University, was appointed for his active participation in the community for the past 40 years.
This is a presidential appointment where members are selected for their expertise to advise the president on various issues, concerns and policies involving the citizens with intellectual disabilities.
Banik, who is also the president of Banik and Associates, Family Diagnostic and Therapeutic Center, Washington, has served various organistaions and associations.
A few months ago he was honoured as the Outstanding Professor by Bowie State University (voted by students).
Hailing from Kolkata, West Bengal, Banik has received his BSc and MSc degrees from Calcutta University and PhD from University of Bristol, England.
He came to England in 1960 and in USA in 1964. He spent a few years in Saskatchewan, Canada, teaching at the university.
In the United States, Banik has worked for over 20 years in the DC government in various capacities in the Mental Health Administration. He has published number of articles on various mental health related fields in national and international journals.
He has also published two very popular cook books on Indian cuisine.
"This is a great honour and a recognition of all the Indian-Americans who are contributing in every aspect of America's life," Banik said in a statement.