Jersey City pediatrician and community leader Vijaya Desai, MD, was sworn in as Commissioner of the Jersey City Economic Development Corporation (JCEDC) by Mayor Glenn D. Cunningham at Council Hall in Jersey City recently. Seen in the photo, from left, are Vijaya Desai, Mayor Cunningham, and JCEDC director Maureen Corcoran. (Photo: Dhiren Shah)

Jersey City pediatrician and community leader Vijaya Desai, MD, was recently sworn in as commissioner of the Jersey City Economic Development Corporation (JCEDC) by Mayor Glenn D. Cunningham of Jersey City. The JCEDC is the premier economic development agency and the leading Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) authority of New Jersey. It has been credited with bringing about the renaissance of Jersey. Although founded in 1980, it is under Mayor Cunningham that it has become the engine for change that it is now.

Desai is the first Indian-American woman to be named to the board of JCEDC. The ceremony took place at Council Chamber at 280 Grove Street in Jersey City. Among those present were husband of the new commissioner, Sandip Desai, and her daughter, Neeti.

Sandip Desai, who owns the elegant Manhattan restaurant Sapphire Indian Cuisine, told News India-Times that he was proud his wife was going to take an active part in Jersey City’s rebirth. “Measured by the ratio of people to area, it is the most populous city in the country,” he said. “Vijaya has been very active both in the Indian American and mainstream communities. It is wonderful she will take an active part in the renaissance now taking place on the Jersey City waterfront and Journal Square.”

“The square is once again the vibrant center of our resurgent town. There is a newly installed fountain, food kiosks, lampposts, trees, flowers, and a new streetscape. The landmark Loew’s Theatre is under renovation and will soon stage concerts, musicals, and movies.”

Dr. Desai is noted for both her professionalism and activism. Her expertise came handy in dealing with the measles epidemic in Jersey City in 1993. In the summer of 1987, when there was a spate of racial incidents, known as the ‘dotbuster’ attacks, she was instrumental in bringing the community together to fight for its rights in America. She also was one of the organizers of the rally for a divider to be placed at 7 Wittpen Bridge where four Indian American kids died in an accident in 2000. In 2001, she was active in organizing a fund to aid earthquake victims in Gujarat.