NRIs from 8 countries virtually participated in PBD 2020

Jan 16, 2020

On the occasion of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2020, India's External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar had an interactive session with members of Indian Diaspora through Video Conference connecting 8 Indian missions where the members of the Diaspora assembled. The interactive session started at 6 p.m. from Pravasi Bhavan in new Delhi. After a welcome and brief remarks by MEA Secretary Ms. Vijay Thakur Singh and Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan, Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar spoke for about eight minutes highlighting the importance of the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas, the day when Mahatma Gandhi returned back on Jan. 9th, 1916 from South Africa and highlighted the Diaspora contribution not only for India but all countries they live in. Minister Jaishankar also spoke on many initiatives taken by Govt. of India to make it easier for the Diaspora to travel to India as well as on avenues of involvement, cooperation and building bond with the Diaspora.

Eight Indian missions were selected to ask two questions each to the minister. The Indian missions selected were from Perth, Paramaribo (Surinam), New York, Doha, Kula Lumpur, Singapore, London and Port Louis. GOPIO officials and members participated in the event from most of the missions. While GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham was selected to ask a question from New York (see https://youtu.be/RlRRgAc7yRM) while GOPIO Triolet North member Gayetree Samboo asked a question from Port Louis. The complete proceedings of this interactive session is at https://www.facebook.com/MEAINDIA/videos/591526741650173/.

NEW YORK INDIAN CONSULATE RECOGNIZES COMMUNITY LEADERS AND THOSE WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THE DIASPORA AND INDIA

Following the interactive video conference, the Indian Consulate in New York honored 20 Indian Americans for their service to the Indian community and India. They include the following:

• Niraj J. Antani, State Representative Columbus Ohio
• Attorney Sanjay Chaubey, President of the Indo-American Lawyers Association
• Avinash Gupta Shree of Siddhivinayak Temple of USA/ Indian Cultural & Community Center
• Manish Ingle, Council of Indian Organizations in Greater Philadelphia
• Neeta Jain, Indian Community activist and Democratic District Leader, New York Assembly District 25 Part B, Queens
• Ramakrishna Kasarla, FIA Central Ohio\
• Sushma Kotahwala, AIA
• Renee Mehrra, President of Reenbow Media, community activist, Board of Directors, Parliament of World's Religions, Vice President of United Nations Staff Recreational Council Science of Spirituality Club
• Lal Motwani, International Coordinator of GOPIO International
• Mohan Nannapaneni, TeamAid; Friends of MP NYNJ Community Organization
• Harinder S. Panaser, President, US SAARK Business Forum
• Minesh C. Patel, Former President of Gujarati Samaj of NY
• Vivek Patel, Community Activist who raised USD$1.1 million on Facebook for the victims of the Pulwama terror attack.
• Daniel Rajaiah, Indian American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky
• Jitesh Rohatgi, Founder Member of the Indian American political action committee of Lehigh Valley
• Jagdish Sewhani American India Public Affairs Committee, New York
• Nikhil Shah, India Association of Rhode Island
• Dr. Prasad Srinivasan of Milan Cultural Association USA, Hartford, CT
• Ankur Vaidya, Former President of FIA New York
• Nitin Vyas, Director of Public Relations, World Vegan Vision. New Jersey

News Courtsey: Dr. Thomas Abraham, Chairman GOPIO