Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, who attended the Fourth World Conference of Speakers of Parliaments at the United Nations last week, hosted a dinner at the Indian Consulate Sept. 1 for members of the Indian-American community.
Lauding the achievements of the Indian Diaspora, Mahajan said that they have earned laurels across the world, be it in entrepreneurship or academics, sports or the arts. “All Indians settled abroad are the overseas ambassadors of India,” she told the guests at the dinner which was attended by an estimated 50 people.
“Through their hard work, dedication, courage and success, they have not only raised the global profile of their host country but also created a unique ‘brand’ for themselves and the country of their origin,” she said.
Among prominent dignitaries present at the dinner included Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha. Prof. P.J. Kurien; Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, Asoke Kumar Mukerji, other members of the visiting Indian Delegation as well as Dr Sudhir Parikh, publisher of News India Times and Padma Shri award winner. Consul General Dnyaneshwar Mulay delivered an address welcoming the visiting speaker and the dignitaries.
Mahajan along with her delegation was in New York to attend the Fourth World Conference of Parliament Speakers at the United Nations that took place Aug 31-Sept.3 and addressed parliamentary leaders from some 140 countries, telling the conference that countries must strengthen democracy by ensuring that it is participatory and inclusive to make a difference in the lives of the vulnerable sections of the society.
Speaking on the subject – ‘Placing Democracy at the Service of Peace and Sustainable Development,
Building the World the People Want,’ – Mahajan told the conference that she is happy that one of the Sustainable Development Goals of the world body seeks to provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.
“Good Governance is an enabler for development. Inclusive participation together with good governance will promote peace and sustainable development,” she said, adding that the post-2015 development agenda is notable and important for several reasons. Mahajan, who also met with Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, said that a strong global partnership is needed to support the efforts of developing countries in the spirit of Vasudeva Kutumbakam (the entire world is a family).
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