Vyalar Ravi pitches for bigger PBD participation

Indian Consul General Ashok Kumar Attri (left) and Minister Vyalar Ravi addressing the meet

CHICAGO: Vayalar Ravi, Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs interacted with a large number of members of the Indian community in Chicagoland and from surrounding regions/states during his three days visit to Chicago beginning November 7.

One of the prime objectives was to spread awareness about the forthcoming Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas (PBD) 2010, scheduled to be held from January 7 to 9 in New Delhi. He also interacted with many Indian Americans individually and in smaller groups. At every event, he extensively answered questioned from the community members.

Ashok Kumar Attri, Consul General and Mrs Usha Kiran Attri hosted a Dinner reception in honor of the visiting Minister at the Consulate on November 8   attended by over 140   Indians as well as Indian Americans.  Consul General addressed the guests and dwelt briefly on the Consular issues, the OCI scheme and the status of the Consular services in this Consulate.  In addition he also informed the Minister and the audience about the completion of the revamped website of the Consulate which was initially uploaded eight years ago in 2001 and needed updating and change of format to make it more user friendly.

Vayalar Ravi formally inaugurated the website www.indianconsulate.com. In his address, he covered the entire range of issues covered by his Ministry and encouraged the guests to participate in the PBD 2010 in New Delhi. He specially highlighted the setting up of the India Development Foundation, process to repeal the existing Emigration Act and bring in a totally revised Emigration Act. Various issues that confront at present with regard to OCI and PIO cards were explained by the Minister, assuring the assembled guests that steps are being taken to rectify certain anomalies to ensure that the OCI card is a document that facilitates rather than hinder travel to India. 

Mrs Sadhna Shanker, Private Secretary to the Minister made a power-point presentation of the PBD 2010. Mrs Sandhya Shukla, Director (Diaspora) and Mrs Aarti Krishna, Officer in-charge of Indian Community Affairs of the Indian Embassy Washington DC were also present.

In addition to answering questions at the formal session, the Minister spent time informally with each invitee answering questions from them and providing details on various projects and schemes of the MOIA.

Everyone enjoyed the Indian cuisine thereafter. Earlier, the Minister met with several prominent Indians and American Indians and had discussion with them on the four topics laid down for the PBD 2010 viz., Economic Growth, Knowledge,   Philanthropy and Gender Issues.

The Minister had a focused and in-depth interaction on a one-to-one basis with some of the outstanding   Pravasis who reside within the jurisdiction of this Consulate. These Pravasis  have already contributed substantially  for India in its development process be it scientific, educational, cultural, social etc  through their own personal efforts and  NGOs/Associations they have established either individually or along with efforts of similar minded persons,  to further their vision and ideals, without any Government  patronage so far.

The Minister had very fruitful discussion with each of these invitees and was impressed by their contributions. He not only acknowledged their efforts but also mentioned that he was pleased to learn about such efforts being made by such persons. In this connection, he referred to the proposed project of MOIA viz., the Global Indian Network of Knowledge (Global-INK) which will act as a knowledge bank for current and future generations. 

He also visited the Alsdorf Indian, Southeast Asian, Himalayan and Islamic Art Department of Asian and Ancient Art at the Art Institute of Chicago (AIC). Dr. Madhuvanti Ghosh, Alsdorf Associate Curator of this Wing briefed the Minister about the history of the Art Institute, the naming of the stretch of the Michigan Avenue, before the Museum as the Swami Vivekananda Way by the City of Chicago in honor of the speech delivered by Swami Vivekananda in Chicago at the Parliament of Religions on September 11, 1893.

AIC has now the largest permanent display of collection of Indian art and artefacts in the Western hemisphere. He also learnt about ongoing and future plans of cooperation between the AIC and India. The Minister praised the vast collection and range of Indian display at the Institute, so far away from India in this part of the world.

India Post News Service