Indian-American woman honoured with flag flown over US Capitol

Washington: A US lawmaker has honoured an Indian-American woman posthumously by hoisting the American flag over the Capitol.

Congressman George Holding, Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans, honoured Vimala Padmanabhan Kolappa on February 28, two days after she died.

Her son Vimal Kolappa, a North Carolina-based hotelier and philanthropist who received the flag, on Tuesday, said, "It was a total surprise to me. I was very touched and surprised which make me to serve more for this greatest country and the people".

"It is a great honour. It is one of the greatest honours to the Indian community," said Kolappa who owns and operates 16 franchise hotels, employing more than 300 people.

Kolappa, who is constructing eight more hotels, has been holding fundraisers in support of local leaders including Holding.

"Holding has been very instrumental in helping the Indian community and making inroads with doing business with India. He has always been very helpful not only to the Indian community, but for all of his constituents," Kolappa said.

He said this is reflective of Holding's caring nature of all his constituents including Indian-Americans. "The flag is not only a symbol of America, but of remembrance of mother Vimala (who died on February 26). Two days later, it was flying over the US Capitol at the request of Congressman Holding. It is a great honour," Kolappa added.