Desi Talk

T he Sadhu Vaswani Center for World Peace is hosting the Sindhi Cultural Mela 2025 on September 28 in New Jersey, at its premises. he Mela will offer devotion services as well as songs, food, crafts and much else, according to a flyer from the SVC. “This colorful community festival cel- ebrates the rich spiritual lineage of Dada J.P. Vaswani and brings together families, friends, and community members for a memorable day of culture and connec- tion,” organizers said, adding, “Enjoy a wide range of authentic Sindhi food stalls, traditional crafts, and exciting activities for children and adults alike.” The event begins at 11 am at the location -494 Durie Ave, Closter, New Jersey- goes on till 6 pm. Organizers promise there will be a variety of food stalls, a Sindhi Papad staff, kids fun activities, a dunk tank, bouncy house, raffles and more. Sunita Kapur and students from the MusicSunita Academy will be performing. Organizers say the event is “A joyful celebration of Sindhi heritage, devotion, food, music, and family fun!” General entry is free. Among the other community events the Center holds is Tranquil Tuesdays where in person kirtan and meditations sessions are provided. For more details, call 201-446-5315, or email info@sadhuvaswanicenter.com The Sadhu Vaswani Center forWorld Peace describes its vision as “Dedicated to promoting peace, compassion, and service through community, culture, and spiritual values.” www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 4 CITY VIEWS September 5, 2025 Pace University Appoints Ajay Khorana Dean Of Lubin School Of Business A fter an extensive nationwide search, Pace University an- nounced last month that it has appointed Ajay Khorana, Ph.D., as Dean of the Lubin School of Busi- ness and professor of finance, effective September 1, 2025. Pace President Marvin Krislov praised Khorana’s impressive background in global finance, commitment to student and institutional success, and ability to bridge industry and academia, a press release from the University said. “Ajay Khorana is a transformational leader who brings both real-world ex- perience and academic depth to Pace,” President Krislov is quoted saying in the press release. “His global perspective and strategic vision will enhance Lubin’s programs and reputation and expand opportunities for our students and faculty, especially here in Lower Manhattan where our campus is just blocks fromWall Street and Citigroup’s global headquarters.” Prior to his appointment at Pace, Dean Khorana served as global treasurer for the U.S. Personal Banking and Global Wealth businesses at Citigroup, overseeing strate- gic financial planning, risk management, and capital allocation for a $400 billion balance sheet. Over nearly 20 years at Citi, he held several high-level roles, includ- ing global head of the Financial Strategy Group, where he advised Fortune 500 companies on mergers and acquisitions, capital structure, shareholder strategy, and corporate governance. Before his time at Citi, Khorana spent more than a decade in academia, includ- ing faculty appointments at Georgia Tech’s Scheller College of Business and the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business. A respected scholar and teacher, his research has been published in leading academic journals, and he is recognized for inspiring excellence in the classroom. “It is an honor to join Pace University and lead the Lubin School of Business,” said Dean Khorana. “Lubin has a strong foundation of academic excellence and career preparation. I look forward to col- laborating with faculty, students, alumni, and industry partners to build on that leg- acy and drive continued innovation and impact. There’s no better place to connect business education with the center of the financial world.” The Lubin School of Business at Pace University is a nationally ranked leader in business education, known for preparing graduates for career success and upward mobility. Lubin holds dual accreditation in both business and accounting by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)— an elite distinction shared by fewer than 2 percent of business schools worldwide. Pace University overall is ranked among the top 9 percent of private colleges na- tionwide for return on investment (Pay- Scale), is included in Forbes’ Top Colleges 2024 list, and has been named one of America’s Best Colleges by theWall Street Journal and The Princeton Review. “Dean Khorana brings exactly the kind of visionary leadership we need to shape the future of business education at Pace,” said Jonathan H. Hill, DPS, interim provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “His unique blend of high-level industry experience and academic integrity will serve as a catalyst for Lubin’s continued growth and global relevance.” Khorana earned his Ph.D. in finance from the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School and an MBA in finance fromWake Forest Univer- sity’s School of Business. He holds a B.A. in economics with honors and a minor in mathematics from the University of Delhi. Globally recognized and prestigiously accredited, the Lubin School of Business is credited with integrating NewYork City’s business world into the experienced- based education of its students at Pace’s suburban and downtown campuses, implemented by one of the region’s largest co-op programs, team-based learning, and customized career guidance. By a StaffWriter PHOTO:PACE.EDU Ajay Khorana, new Dean of Lubin School of Business at Pace University, NYC Flyer for the Sindhi Cultural Mela. Sindhi Cultural Mela To Be Held In New Jersey September 28 PHOTO:COURTESY INVITATION FROM ORGANIZERS By a StaffWriter