Indian Community Events in Houston, TX

Board Certified Litigation Expert

I am the sole shareholder of M. Ali Zakaria & Associates, PC and Board Certified in Immigration & Nationality Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. I have over twenty (20) Years of experience as a practicing attorney in the Greater Houston Area.

Mr. Paranjpe represents both plaintiffs and defendants in federal courts, state courts, and in mediations or arbitrations. Mr. Paranjpe also reviews, drafts, and negotiates many aspects and types of entertainment industry and business contracts. Mr. Paranjpe merged his previous law firm, The Mentlewski Paranjpe Law Group, into Paranjpe & Mahadass LLP. Mr. Paranjpe has a vast amount of trial and negotiation experience through his previous position as a Criminal Defense Trial Attorney for a local law firm that has represented thousands of clients in the greater Houston area. Through his prior experiences, Mr. Paranjpe has expertise in preparing contracts for an array of entities, drafting motions and other litigation documents, and leading negotiations. Mr. Paranjpe held an in-house counsel position with a large international manufacturing corporation where he worked on both domestic and international treatises and compliance issues. Mr. Paranjpe grew up in the greater Houston area and graduated from Jersey Village High School. Mr. Paranjpe spent his college years in Austin where he graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Arts in Government and Film. While an undergraduate, Mr. Paranjpe founded the Texas Sports Committee, which continues to act as a spirit committee and coordinates events directly with the University of Texas athletic department. Before starting law school, Mr. Paranjpe studied film, cinema, and video in the United Kingdom at the University of Sussex. Mr. Paranjpe then moved to Wilmington, Delaware and graduated from the Widener University School of Law. Mr. Paranjpe is currently a good standing Member of the State Bar of Texas. Mr. Paranjpe is the Treasurer for the South Asian Bar Association of Houston. In his spare time, Mr. Paranjpe enjoys cooking, running and swimming (so he can continue to cook), keeping up with new films, spending time with his family, friends and wife, and chasing around his 4-year old Australian-Shepherd/Golden Retriever mix dog Indy.

Founded in August 2020 through approval by the ICAI Council, the Houston Chapter of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India emerged as a response to the growing professional needs of Indian chartered accountants and accounting professionals residing in Houston, Texas and the greater region. This chapter represents a historic milestone as only the third ICAI chapter in the entire United States, reflecting the significant presence and influence of the chartered accountant profession in the Houston area. The chapter was established with a dual mission: to serve the immediate professional needs of local ICAI members while simultaneously contributing to the broader development and recognition of the chartered accountant profession across the United States and internationally. The Houston Chapter is built on a foundation of collaboration and community engagement, bringing together experienced professionals who volunteer their time and expertise to support fellow members. The organization values the traditions and standards that have defined ICAI since its establishment in 1949, while adapting these principles to serve the unique needs of the Houston community. With over 320,000 members globally and a legacy spanning more than seventy years, ICAI brings unparalleled credibility and resources to Houston. The chapter's commitment extends beyond individual member support to fostering professional excellence, ethical practice, and meaningful connections within Houston's diverse accounting and finance community, ensuring that the chartered accountant profession continues to thrive and evolve in Texas.

Since its incorporation in 1983, the Indian Doctors Association of Houston has served as a vital community resource and professional home for physicians and dentists of Indian origin throughout the greater Houston, TX area. Operating as a nonprofit organization, IDA-Houston is built on three core pillars: connecting members professionally and socially, inspiring excellence in medicine, and serving the community through meaningful healthcare initiatives. With hundreds of active members, the organization creates opportunities for physicians to build lasting professional relationships while contributing to the betterment of society. IDA-Houston demonstrates deep community commitment through its support of underserved populations, including partnerships with charity clinics, international mission work, and health education programs that reach diverse audiences across the Houston community. The association recognizes the importance of supporting future healthcare leaders through multiple endowed medical school scholarships and high school scholarship programs. Beyond professional advancement, IDA-Houston fosters a sense of belonging and cultural connection among its members through social networking events, wellness activities, and collaborative initiatives. As a recognized member of the Harris County Medical Society's Council of International and Affiliated Medical Societies, IDA-Houston bridges professional medical organizations while maintaining its unique focus on serving physicians of Indian origin. The organization's four-decade history reflects its enduring commitment to mentorship, health equity, and creating pathways for physicians to make meaningful contributions to healthcare and their communities in Houston.

Based in Houston, Texas, the South Asian Bar Association of Houston represents a vital community resource for both legal professionals and the broader South Asian population served by the organization. SABA Houston operates as a local chapter of the South Asian Bar Association of North America, embodying a mission centered on advocacy, empowerment, and civil rights protection for South Asian communities. The organization was established to give voice to the unique experiences and professional aspirations of lawyers of South Asian heritage while simultaneously ensuring that Houston's South Asian residents have meaningful access to legal education and civil liberties protections. At its core, SABA Houston values the intersection of professional excellence and community service. The organization recognizes that South Asian lawyers bring diverse perspectives and cultural understanding to the legal profession, and it works intentionally to create spaces where these professionals can develop meaningful relationships, share experiences, and advance together. Beyond supporting attorneys, SABA Houston is deeply committed to educating Houston's South Asian community about the legal system, demystifying complex legal processes, and encouraging greater participation in the legal profession and American government. Through leadership development, community partnerships, and collaborative initiatives, SABA Houston demonstrates that professional success and community responsibility are interconnected. The organization's membership-based model fosters a sense of belonging and shared purpose among South Asian legal professionals in the Houston area.