The Indian American community in Houston has presented $100,000 to Ian Grillot, a 24-year-old American who was shot while trying to save Indian techies Srinivas Kuchibotla and Alok Madasani during a shooting in Kansas.
Ian Grillot was injured when he tried to intervene in the shooting by a Navy veteran targeting Indians at a bar in Olathe, Kansas last month.
Grillot is honoured as ‘A True American Hero’, at the 14th annual gala of Indian House Houston here on March 25. The annual Gala is the main fundraising event of the India House, with all proceeds going to the day to day community programmes and expansion of India House.
Dignitaries including India’s Ambassador to the US Navtej Sarna, former US Ambassador to India David Mulford, former US Assistant Secretary of State Nisha Biswal, Mayor Sylvester Turner, Harris County Judge Ed Emmett and Master Chef Vikas Khanna as Guests of honour this year.
India House raised $100,000 as part of an initiative supported by the Consul-General of India in Houston Anupam Ray to help Mr Grillot buy a house in his hometown of Kansas. The cheque was handed over by India’s Ambassador to the US Navtej Sarna.
A statement posed on the official page of India House Houston said: “On behalf of the Indian-American community in Houston, India House recognised this selfless act beyond the call of duty and has extended the community’s gratitude to Ian Grillot by helping him to buy a house.”
“I don’t know if I could’ve lived with myself if I wouldn’t have stopped or attempted to stop the shooter because that would’ve been completely devastating. I do now have a very powerful message and if I can help empower people and spread hope and love, then why not? I am honoured to be at India House that serves so many families from so many communities in the Houston area,” Ian said.
Dignitaries including Indias Ambassador to the US Navtej Sarna, former US Ambassador to India David Mulford, former US Assistant Secretary of State Nisha Biswal, Mayor Sylvester Turner, Harris County Judge Ed Emmett and Master Chef Vikas Khanna as Guests of honour this year.
Mr Grillot had intervened in the shooting incident in Kansas carried out by US Navy veteran Adam Purinton which left Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla dead and his colleague Alok Madasani severely injured. His valiant effort was hailed by Union Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj. The Centre had also extended an invitation to Mr Grillot to visit India as soon as he is able to travel.
