Desi Talk

www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 4 CITY VIEWS June 5, 2026 D r. Krishan Kumar, M.D., FAAP, FACEP, a clinical professor of pediatrics and emergency medicine at the NewYork Institute of Technology Col- lege of Osteopathic Medicine), was awarded an honorary degree at NYIT- COM’s 65th Commencement on May 17, 2026, at the Long Island campus. The honorary degree recognized Dr. Kumar’s decades-long contribution to medical education, mentorship, and compassionate health care. He is the only Indian American physician to have Md-D Science degree in addition to FACEP, FAEMS, FAAP, he told Desi Talk. In an impressive ceremony, the framed degree was presented to Dr. Kumar after he was called to step forward on the stage. There was loud applause at that moment. This was followed up with his son Dr. Arjun Kumar, Class of 2021, being called up on stage to join his father and other dignitaries, to place the academic hood over his father’s shoulders, again to great applause. Kumar, a clinical professor at NYIT’s College of Osteopathic Medicine and vice president of the American As- sociation of Physicians of Indian Origin, emigrated from India to the United States in 1984 and went on to build a distinguished career in pediatrics and emergency medicine. At the Commencement, NYIT also conferred an honorary Doctor of Laws degree on Kevin S. Law, who delivered the keynote address to the graduating Class of 2026. Since joining NYITCOM in 2011, Dr. Kumar has made a lasting impact through his leadership in medical edu- cation, clinical care, and service. Dr. Kumar joined the faculty in 2011 and currently is also a member of the dean’s advisory board. He is seen as a “faithful” supporter and friend of NYIT- COM for more than 40 years. In 2024, he established the Kumar Family Scholarship to benefit a fourth- year medical student. He is the former chair and program director of Nassau University Medi- cal Center’s (NUMC) department of pediatrics. Dr. Kumar joined NUMC as an at- tending physician in the department of emergency medicine/pediatrics in 1990. He also previously served as an associate professor of pediatrics at the State University of NewYork at Stony Brook, as an attending in the depart- ment of emergency medicine at New York-Presbyterian Queens and Coney Island Hospital, and as the medical director for Nassau County Fire Police EMS Academy. A graduate of Kanpur Medical Col- lege in India in 1977, Dr. Kumar emi- grated to the United States in 1984. He joined Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx as a resident and soon became associ- ate director of emergency medicine in 1988. Dr. Kumar is a fellow of the Ameri- can Academy of Pediatrics, the Ameri- can College of Emergency Medicine, and the Indian Academy of Pediatrics. His numerous awards include being recognized as one of America’s top pediatricians by Consumer Research Council and the Medical Director of Ex- cellence for his outstanding training and education of paramedics by the Nassau County Police Academy. Dr. Krishan Kumar Bestowed Honorary Degree By NY Institute Of Technology College Of Osteopathic Medicine Dr. Arjun Kumar placing the hood on his father Dr. Krishan Kumar’s shoulders as the honorary degree was awarded May 17, 2026, and the 65th Commencement ceremonies of NY Institute of Technology’s Long Island campus, NY. PHOTO:SCREENGRAB FROM ITV GOLDVIDEO ONYOUTUBE By a StaffWriter S urati Performing Arts announced the return of its Holi Hai! Festival June 6 at Exchange Place in Jersey City. Rimli Roy & Surati’s Holi Hai – The Festival of Colors on starts at noon and goes on until 8 PM, a press release from the organization said. It describes Surati Holi Hai as one of the region’s larg- est celebrations of Holi, bringing together thousands of attendees for a day of live performances, music, dance, colors, food, cultural programming, and community engagement. This year’s festival will feature a lineup of artists from India and across the United States. International guest artists Sumit Roy, Rajesh Roy, and Pritha Majumder will perform original compositions as part of the Surati Baul Blues Band. Holi Hai will also showcase dancers representing a range of Indian classical and folk traditions, including Harsha Harikumar (Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, and Mo- hiniattam), Hitanshi Patel (Bharatanatyam), Moushumi Phukan (Bihu) and Masala Bhangra founder Sarina Jain. There will also be a special performance by the Surati Dance Team led by Artistic Director Rimli Roy, as well as danced storytelling exploring the history, traditions, and significance of Holi. By a StaffWriter Surati Performing Arts Returns With Holi Hai! In Jersey City PHOTO:COURTESY SURATI Collage of past Holi events.