MILPITAS, CA: Consul General Venkatesan Ashok along with the Indo-American community of Northern California hosted “Community Reception” to honor Ambassador Navtej Sarna, Indian Ambassador to USA, on 11th February, at University of Siliconandhra, Milpitas.
Ambassador Sarna was welcomed by traditional Kerala Chendai procession by the Bay Area Malyali community. This was followed by dance performances from different parts of India such as Kuchipudi, Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Kathak, Bhangra performed by local Bay Area groups. Welcoming the chief guest, Ambassador Venkatesan Ashok spoke of the great work carried out by Amb. Sarna at various levels. Navtej Singh Sarna is an Indian author-columnist, diplomat and current Indian Ambassador to the US. He has previously served as the High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom and the Ambassador to Israel (2008-2012). As a diplomat he has served in Moscow, Warsaw, Thimphu, Geneva, Teheran and Washington, DC. He also writes short stories and book reviews.
Cutting a regal figure with his tall stature, Amb Sarna praised the Indian American community – comprising 3,456,447 alone and 4,121,994 including mixed race. Indian Americans are the country’s third-largest Asian group, but its members make up 9 percent of physicians, 30 percent of start-up founders in Silicon Valley, and 50 percent of the hospitality industry.
Immigrants from India first arrived in the United States in small numbers to the US West coast during the early 19th century, primarily as low-skilled farm laborers, but now we have some of these farm owners in the richest Californians. US is the second largest trading partner of India with a growth potential of bilateral trade increasing to $500 billion in the near future. The high rate of economic growth and projections for coming years indicate that India will continue to be a preferred investment destination, said Amb.Sarna.
The goal of increasing the annual trade between the US and India to USD 500 billion is not a “distant dream” given the opportunities that New Delhi offers to American companies, particularly in aviation and defense sectors, added Amb Sarna. He also appreciated the increasing engagement of Indo-Americans in the US political arena.
Vidya Sethuraman
India Post News Service
