American actress, comedian, screenwriter, and producer Mindy Kaling was recently honoured with the 2800th star in the category of television, by the legendary Walk of Fame for the City of Los Angeles, officially managed by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. She is the first South Asian woman to get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The Indian community from the entertainment industry in the US has expressed joy over Kaling’s official recognition. Kaling’s parents immigrated to the US in 1979, the same year she was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Kaling’s dedication to narrating impactful stories of women of colour through her projects is well-known in Hollywood just like her identity as a trailblazer for Indian Americans.

Last February, Kaling received the Producers Guild of America’s prestigious Norman Lear Achievement Award in Television. The White House honoured her with the National Medal of Arts, the highest civilian honour given to artists by the United States government, in 2023.

Kaling took to social media to express her happiness. “Yesterday was one of the most special days of my life! I was surrounded by my dearest friends and family for the surreal and humbling experience of receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. @bjnovak gave such a beautiful speech. I was told after receiving my star that I was the first South Asian woman to have a star on the Walk of Fame. I’m humbled by that. I am so proud to be South Asian and I want to make my community proud of everything I do but more importantly I want to help usher in the next generation of South Asian stars – who are already making a huge impact across the world.

I can’t believe how lucky I am! Thank you to my @warnerbrosentertainment family and the @hollywoodchamberofcommerce. This was really incredible.”

Kaling, 45, first gained recognition on television in 2005. Her career in films began in 2010. Since then, there has been no turning back.

Emmy-nominated writer, Tony Award-winning producer, New York Times best-selling author, director, and actor Kaling is also a PanCAN Stride Ambassador, honoring her mother who she lost to pancreatic cancer. Kaling is a supporter of the UN Refugee Agency with whom she has partnered on awareness projects.

“The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is honored to welcome actress, producer, and director Mindy Kaling to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Not only is Mindy funny, but she is also a talented and innovative creator whose contributions to television have entertained audiences around the world,” said Ana Martinez, Producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremonies. “We are thrilled to honor her with a star on our iconic sidewalk,” she added. – editor@nrifocus.com