The best is the enemy of the good.

—Voltaire, French Enlightenment writer, historian

The French historian’s famous words sum up, rather aptly, the life of KV Kumar. He has never been satisfied with being merely good, and has been the best that there can be. His bio-data is so diverse, so impressive, so impactful, and so unbelievable, and his accomplishments so varied and exemplary that you can produce a few journals out of them.

Let’s start with an honor that few Americans are privileged enough to be nominated for, but very rare is the person that actually receives it. Several American Presidents, among them Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H W Bush, Bill Clinton, Donald Trump, top businessmen like Lee Iacocca, legendary sportspersons like John McEnroe and Muhammad Ali, superstar actors and singers like Gregory Peck and Frank Sinatra, and Rosa Parks, described as the “first lady civil rights” in America, have been bestowed the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor. As have been several Noble Prize winners. The Honor pays homage to the immigrant experience and to the contribution made to America by immigrants and their children by the National Ethic Coalition of Organizations (NECO). In the noble words of NECO, “The honor is a living tribute to the courage and hope of all immigrants.” These are individuals who preserve and celebrate the history, traditions and values of their ancestry while exemplifying the values of the American way of life, and those that are dedicated to creating a better world. Each May, a ceremony is held on Ellis Island, a symbolic place for all immigrants. Traditionally, all branches of the US Armed Forces participate, and the recipients are read into the Congressional Record. Each year after medalists are honored, the Great Hall where immigrants were once processed, hosts a gala dinner which follows the ceremony. KV Kumar is a proud recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor and is in the list of those distinguished American citizens who have made significant contributions to America.