About Us
Our Mission Statement The South Asian Society (SAS) seeks to meet the social, cultural, and educational needs of all Hoyas with an interest in South Asia. SAS proudly celebrates the cultural, religious, and linguistic diversity of South Asia and seeks to raise awareness of South Asian cultures at Georgetown. SAS is committed to building a sense of community among its members and exists to provide a unified voice for South Asian interests on campus. South Asia includes, but is not limited to, the nations of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
South Asian Society Board 2008-2009:Maher Ali (SFS ’11)
President 
Maher Ali, a junior in the SFS, is this year's SAS President. Having served on the board last year in the prestigious role of Multimedia Specialist, Maher provides the board with wisdom and experience. According to Maher's facebook account, he lives his life by the motto "I'm just going to make a 2-minute call for 5 minutes," With Maher at SAS's helm, the "world is our oyster."
Ishana Rai (MSB ‘10)
Vice President
Ishana Rai, a senior in the MSB, is officially this year's Vice President, and unofficially this year's FOB. Hailing from such far away places as Sydney, Siberia, and India, Ishana brings an international perspective to the SAS leadership. Her previous accomplishments include coordinating RANGILA 2008!, being a choreographer of Georgetown's very own Bhangra Team (JAWANI!), and never having a friday class. When asked why she wanted to be Vice President Ishana replied "because SAS is my only way of making friends."
Zeeshan Feerasta (MSB ’12)
Treasurer
Zeeshan (Pictured Far Right) a.k.a Zeesh hails from Lahore, Pakistan and is the Treasurer of SAS this year. He is a sophomore in the MSB and is pursuing a double major in Finance and Accounting. Born and raised in the heart of Pakistan (Yes Lahore is better than Karachi), Zeesh is as Punjabi as they get: Extremely talkative, unimaginably loud, an aficionado for good food, and a die-heart lover of bhangra music and bollywood movies (although they are'nt Paki)! When he isnt munching away at exquisite food or dozing off in the library at the oddest hours, he is usually hanging out with friends or creating a raucous in the library! Zeesh performed in Classical Fusion last year and is tremendously excited for SAS this year. He strongly advises all freshmen to get involved with RANGILA!
Arnab Sarker (COL ’12)
Secretary
Arnab Sarker, a Sophomore Biology Major in the College is SAS's brand new Secretary. Although it is Arnab's first year on the SAS board, he has succeeded at taking minutes during meetings and sending out the SAS weekly email. Arnab's hobbies include singing, organic chemistry, and interpretive dance. Arnab also has the unique advantage of being a DC metropolitan area local. When asked why he ran for SAS Secretary Arnab responded "Because I was inspired by the SAS weekly e-mails so much last year."
(SFS ’11)
Academic Chair
Aparna, a proud citizen of the sleepy little bicycle town of Davis, CA, is happy to be a part of one of Georgetown's most proactive student groups on campus. As academic chair, Aparna will serve as a liaison between those in the academic community, administration and student body interested in creating more dialogue and direction in South Asian Studies on Georgetown campus. This includes everything from organizing book clubs to hosting speaking engagements to lobbying for more courses geared towards South Asian Studies. She welcomes any ideas, suggestions, and passionate individuals who would like to collaborate with her!
When she's not with SAS, Aparna is on the GAAP Board, doing problem sets, teaching some econ, attending Hindu Student Association pujas, performing with Awaaz, singing in the shower, and practicing Rangila and Lu'au moves with her friends in Dahlgren Square. After a wonderful summer of teaching English while living on her own in Mumbai, Aparna is very excited to be back at Georgetown for another year!"
Aneesh Gupta (COL ’11)
Rangila Coordinator
Aneesh is coordinator of this year's Rangila along with Silky. A huge Philadelphia Eagles fan, Aneesh was born and raised in South Jersey. He also enjoys tennis, The Office, and Entourage. As a pre-med Biology major in the College, he dedicates a lot of his time to working in a lab and volunteering at the university's hospital. In addition to Rangila, Aneesh also enjoys dancing for Georgetown's bhangra team, Jawani, and working for The Corp at More Uncommon Grounds. Gupta also loves Bhangra.
Silky Kadakia (COL ’12)
Rangila Coordinator
SIlky Kadakia, a sophomore, is this years co-rangila-coordinator. She grew up in India, i mean Edison, New Jersey. She has been doing classical Indian dance her entire life, and is also choreographing Classical Fusion this year. Silky lives, eats, and breathes Rangila. When asked what she does in her spare time, Silky responded "I have no spare time, rangila = life." That is why Rangila will be so good this year.
Silky's life ACTUALLY just revolves around any type of dance, from Odissi, to garba, to bhangra (as a part of GU JAWANI). She is majoring in Government with a minor in Psychology and Studio Art. You'll rarely ever find Silky without her camera. She loves taking photos, being Gujarati, and obviously, RANGILA!
Sangam Soi(COL ’11)
Marketing Co-Chair
Sangam is a junior in the business school majoring in Marketing and International Business. She has lived in the small western PA town of Johnstown all of her life. She loves playing tennis, working out, hanging out with her friends, and Georgetown. Most of all she loves salad, bread, and Ishana Rai. She is looking forward to working on SAS’s marketing to increase the success of the organization’s events. Also, she is excited for Rangila 2009!
Irfan Merali (SFS ’11)
Marketing Co-Chair
Hailing from the depths of middle earth, Tajikistan, Irfan Merali is a great asset to the SAS board team. His connections, sense of style, and spontaneity are the hallmarks of a great leader. Furthermore, Irfan's European suave, which he picked up by going to high school in Switzerland, only further add to his overall aura. When we contacted his publicist to inquire why Irfan wanted to be a marketing co-chair, he was out of the country and therefore unable to respond.
Omar Rahman (COL ’12)
Social/Cultural Chair 
Omar Rahman, or Omar number 2 as his friends refer to him, is the perfect Social Cultural Chair. His introduction to diversity started at a young age, when he was thrust into a West Virginia society as the only "brown kid." Omar not only survived the 15 year long ordeal, but grew to appreciate the differences he had with his neighbors and learned to channel his minority background in constructive ways. As Social/Cultural Chair, Number 2 is in charge of coordinating events between SAS and other minority groups on campus, and so far he has done a great job! When asked if he really loves working with people of different backgrounds he replied "Come on, all my roommates are south asian, I need some diversity!" He then added, "you can't live without your O2 (presumably referring to himself."
Sunaina Yarlagadda (NHS ’10)
Campus & Community Outreach Chair
Sunaina (2nd from Right) is a SAS board veteran. Last year as SOCA rep, she challenged the boundaries of her position and engaged in a plethora of diversity events. This year, she decided to take her passion to a new high, and as the new Campus and Community Outreach Chair she hopes to organize many more SAS events. Sunaina hopes to prove to non-SAS members that SAS does more than just Rangila...
Anjali Daryanani (NHS ’10)
Philanthropy & Public Relations Chair
I am the South Asian Society's Philanthropy and Public Relations Chair, and a proud sindhi (one of Georgetown's endangered species). I grew up in Hong Kong, and living there has given me the chance to travel and explore different countries, an opportunity which I am very grateful for. Other than traveling, my interests lie in social development, and I plan to work in the NGO sector after I graduate, promoting grassroots development and empowering underprivileged communities. I am very excited to be part of the SAS board and I hope to make an impact on SAS's relationship not only with the Asha Kendra Hope Center in Jaipur, India, but in the continuation and expansion of SAS' philanthropic efforts.
Omar Maniya (COL ’11)
Multimedia Specialist 
(The above drink is diet coke, something Omar is NEVER seen without) Omar Z. Maniya is this years Multimedia Specialist and Choreographer of GU JAWANI, Georgetown's very own nationally-competing bhangra team. He is a pre-med junior in the College, majoring in Biology and minoring in Econ. Omar hails from the great state of New Jersey. His hilarious sense of humor, fluid bhangra moves, and witty comments are hallmarks of his personality. Omar is qualified for the position of Multimedia Specialist through his extensive experiences taking pictures with his digital camera, making mixes for Rangila, and spending hours a day on facebook. He also designed this website, and thanks you for taking a look at it. When asked if Google was his homepage he responded "No Way, SAS Board website is!" Clearly, he is a devoted SAS board member.
e-mail - gusouthasiansociety@gmail.com
Constitution [download]
Officers
