President with Iftekhar Shareef
CHICAGO: It was an historic event for Chicago Indian community leaders to meet in person President Barack Obama at a premium priced private fundraiser held at Hotel Drake downtown Chicago recently.
This was the second time in the past three months that President Obama would come to Chicago to boost the leading Democratic nominees for Congress and on both the occasions a good number of Indian Americans would meet him and took to him on one to one basis.
The fundraiser this time was a unique opportunity since President Obama found time to talk to the Indian Americans, especially during the dinner time, and some of the Indian Americans did not miss the chance to place their views about his forthcoming visit to India. Among the front ranking Indian Americans present were: Balwinder Singh, Iftekhar Shareef, Dr. Bharat Barai, Satish Gabhawala, Jesal Patel, Vinod Patel, Nick Gehkal, Sunil Puri and few others who attended the event that included dinner after the reception.
Taking the opportunity Iftekhar Shareef, the First Dual Citizen of India (OCI) on behalf of the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh K. Rosiah and the 100 million people of AP submitted a request to President Obama to include a visit to Hyderabad during his trip to India. President Obama is scheduled to visit India next month. A smiling president Obama acknowledged Shareef’s request and said, “Your country is very large; I cannot go to all the cities.” Iftekhar Shareef pointed out that previous Presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush had included Hyderabad in their tour. “The Andhra people are looking forward to your visit,” Shareef said”. He submitted a written invitation to the President on behalf of the people of Andhra Pradesh.
Dr Bharat Barai and Balwinder Singh during the dinner touched upon the Indian visit topic and underscored the need for cementing ties between the two countries. Dr. Barai talked of closer cooperation in tapping energy and observed that solar energy was a great area to work together. Balwinder said that the President was in a cheerful mood and praised Indians for their support. He also talked about how he was better off giving up smoking. Balwinder said he planned to go to India during the visit.
Shareef, Balwinder Singh, Barai and others felt elated that they had a chance to meet the President in a bit informal way. President Obama too, in turn, was very pleased to meeting all old Indian community leaders who supported him from the very beginning of his political career.
A.Q. Siddiqui
India Post News Service
