ABOUT THE PRESENTERS

Dr. Krishna Saxena retired as Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Univ. of Minnesota and Director of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Children's Hospital and Clinics, Saint Paul. He was also Director of Medical Education, at St. Paul Children's Hospital from 1968 to 1990. He has published more than 60 scientific papers in various Medical Journals.

He was the Founder President of the Hindu Society of Minnesota and continues to be active on it's Board of Trustees and other committees. Since the formation of the Hindu Society of Minnesota he had the privilege of serving as the first Chairman of the Board of Trustees and once again, later, for a total of 5 years.

Krishna and his wife Kusum Saxena, M.D., have lived in Minnesota since 1967 and are citizens of the U.S.A.

Kusum Saxena, M.D., was born, raised, and educated in India. She grew up in a staunch vegetarian Hindu family.

In 1967, she immigrated to USA with her husband and two children. She practiced medicine as a staff physician in Emergency Medicine department for 25 years at Region's [then Ramsey] Hospital. She was also Associate Professor Emergency Medicine, University of Minnesota, and Clinical Associate Professor Family medicine, U of M.

In 1986-87, Dr. Saxena was Director of the Minnesota Poison Control Center, 1986-87. She is Board certified in Emergency Medicine , Family Medicine, and Clinical Toxicology. She is also a Fellow as well as life member of American College of Emergency Physicians, American Academy of Family Medicine, and American Academy of Clinical Toxicology. Indeed, Dr. Kusum Saxena was the first Board certified Clinical Toxicologist in the State of Minnesota and the five states-zone, namely, Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Iowa and Wisconsin.

Presently she is retired from medical practice.

Kusum Saxena is one of the founder members of Hindu Society of Minnesota (HSMN). She has been a trustee of HSMN since its inception in 1977. She has been actively involved in activities of the Hindu Mandir (Temple), serving in various capacities over the years. Currently she is advisor to the religious committee of the Mandir, and in charge of programs which involve prayers, devotional songs, singing, and chanting.

Dr. Saxena is interested in Indian classical music, tabla-playing (percussion), and learning Spanish Language and culture. She loves to travel all over the world.

Surendra P.Chaudhary, DVM, MS. (University of Missouri)
Former Veterinary Medical Officer, US Department of Agriculture, F.S.I.S.

Surendra and his wife Raj immigrated to the US in 1966. After his graduation from the Univ of Missouri, in 1968, they moved to Minnesota for his graduate studies and post doctoral work in U of MN. After that, he served in the US Department of Agriculture as Supervisory Veterinary Medical Officer in Food Safety and Inspection Service for 25 years before retiring a few years ago.

Along with his wife, Surendra has been engaged in the Asian Indian community from the beginning and has seen it grow from a couple dozen to a couple thousand. He was one of the founder organizers of the Hindu Society of Minnesota, which was the first place of worship for Hindus in the Twin Cities.

He organized and operated the first Asian Indian Cultural Radio program called 'Sounds of India,' which is now part of the records of the Historical Society of Minnesota. He co-chaired the US Airforce Academy Parents Club of Minnesota, an organization to support MN Cadets to Air Force Academy and build bridges. He founded Minnesota Asian Indian Democratic Association (MAIDA). For the past 8 years, he has been Chair of the DFL Precinct caucus and active in many other community activities. Last but not least, he along with his wife have founded an organization called SEWA – Asian Indian Family Wellness, a Minnesota nonprofit to serve the needy in the community.

Surendra and Raj have two sons and a daughter. Their first son, Senator Satveer Chaudhary serves in Minnesota Legislature. Their second son, Major Ravi Chaudhary serves in US Air Force. Their daughter Bala Chaudhary is a Ph.D. student at the University of Arizona studying Ecological Biology.

ROLE PLAY RESOURCE

Rupesh Modi was born in India but moved to Nepal in early childhood. Having completed his Post-Certificate Level studies (in Biology) at Kathmandu, he went to India for a year to acquire some extensive medical knowledge. After coming back to Nepal he studied sociology for two years. He also served as a volunteer for wildlife conservation in Nepal.

In pursuit of a strong technical foundation and better educational opportunities, he arrived in the United States in time for the fall 2005 semester at St. Cloud State University. During his very first semester, he volunteered at St. Cloud Hospital and intends to continue this service as long as he possibly can.

At St. Cloud State, he is involved in different activities in connection with Nepalese Student Association (N.S.A) and India Heritage Club (I.H.C). Rupesh has also offered many presentations in different communities in and around St. Cloud on Nepal and its culture.