US-Indians honour ‘True American Hero’
Navtej Sarna, India’s ambassador to the US, hands over a cheque of $100,000, raised by the Indian-American community, to Ian Grillot at the 14th annual gala of India House Houston on Sunday. Mr Grillot, who was injured when he intervened as a Navy veteran shot Indians at a bar in Kansas, was honoured as “A true American hero”.
Houston, March 26: A 24year-old American, who took a bullet for an Indian, has been honoured as ‘A True American Hero’ by the Indian-American community in Houston, which raised $100,000 to help him buy a house in his hometown Kansas.
Ian Grillot, who was injured when he tried to intervene in the shooting by a Navy veteran targetting Indians at a bar in Olathe, Kansas in February, was honoured as at the 14th annual gala of India House Houston here.
Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed and his colleague Alok Madasani was injured in the shooting.
“On behalf of the IndianAmerican community in Houston, India House recognised this selfless act beyond the call of duty and has extended gratitude to Ian Grillot by helping him to buy a house,” India House Houston stated.
India House raised $100,000 as part of an initiative supported by the Consul General of India in Houston, Anupam Ray, to help Ian buy a house in his hometown, it said.
India’s Ambassador to the US, Navtej Sarna, handed over a cheque of $100,000 to Mr Grillot.
“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 honored to be at India House that serves so many families from so many communities in the Houston area,” he said.
India House was built by Americans of Indian origin in the Greater Houston area.