Who Are We Looking For?
Each year at the Round Rock Diwali Festival, we honor an individual or group who has quietly and selflessly made a meaningful impact — in the Indian community in the USA, or in India. We value dedication and heart over fame or financial contribution.
Community Impact
Meaningful work in the Indian community in the USA or in India — local to Austin or surrounding area.
Selfless Dedication
We value time and effort devoted to a cause more than financial contributions. Unsung heroes welcome.
Open to All
The nominee does not need to be of Indian origin, nor affiliated with any large organization.
Not Widely Known
Often the most impactful people work quietly. If you know someone deserving recognition, nominate them.
Nominate Someone Special
You may nominate yourself or someone else. Multiple nominations are welcome — please submit a separate form for each person or group. Provide as much detail as possible so we can truly understand their impact.
🏆 Open Nomination FormNominations close August 2026 · Award presented at the festival on October 24, 2026
Past Award Recipients
Bindhu Sivakumar
Bindhu draws her inspiration from the Sri Sathya Sai International Organization (SSSIO), a free, non-denominational voluntary organization active in 126 countries, of which she has been a devoted member for over 23 years. Her service spans healthcare (free medical camps), sociocare (disaster relief, food and clothing drives), educare (instilling human values of truth, peace, and love), and envirocare (including a goal of planting 1 million trees across the US). An IT professional and mother of two, Bindhu and her entire family dedicate their lives to community service.
Koushik Kundu
Originally from India and now based in Austin since 2010, Koushik is an IT professional at Applied Materials who has devoted hundreds of hours to the Sankara Eye Foundation — fundraising through galas, cultural events, and concerts to provide free eye surgeries in India. A 2015 visit to the Sankara hospital, where he witnessed lives transformed by restored sight, deepened his commitment profoundly. His community contributions have been recognized city-wide by multiple organizations. He is married to Manjima Kundu and enjoys woodworking, painting, and table tennis in his spare time.
Harish Kotecha
A retired IBM engineer born in Uganda, Harish founded Hindu Charities for America (HC4A) — a nondenominational charity dedicated to providing school supplies to homeless children across Austin area school districts, in partnership with the Greater Austin Area Jewish Federation. He has also played a key role in resettling Bhutanese refugees in Austin. Harish received the 2020 Sandra Neese Lifetime Achievement Award from NAEHCY and the President's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017. His son Savan Kotecha is an Oscar-nominated songwriter. Harish is married to Shobhna Kotecha.
