The Consulate General of India in Chicago talked about its programs in 2016 as it organized “Pravasi Divas: Meet the Media” event Jan. 8 at the consulate to meet with a cross section of journalists, representatives of the Indian-American organizations and community leaders from the greater Chicago area.
Consul General Ausaf Sayeed presented a yearend review recapping initiatives and activities of the consulate in 2015 and highlighted upcoming events and programs for 2016.
The consulate, which had put forth more than 30 events and community engagement activities in 2015, ranging from consulate camps, trade delegations to states like Michigan, Minnesota, Indiana, North Dakota and Wisconsin, was lauded by community members and media representatives.
“We are truly delighted to have such an engaging Consul General as Ausaf Sayeed and his group as they have engaged Midwest and Chicago area community in way which we have never seen before from any consulate,” said community leader and newly-elected president of Federation of Indian Associations, Minhaj Akhtar.
Sayeed commended the Indian Diaspora for its indelible contribution to economic and social development of the Indian Government’s social programs like Make in India, Skills India, Swach Bharat Abiyan Digital India and Green India.
Sayeed said that during 2016 the consulate initiatives would focus on strengthening political, economic, cultural and educational relationships between India and the U.S. Midwest.
As part of ongoing efforts, the consulate has been working closely with governors, mayors and senior officials of the economic departments of various states, universities and leading members of congress to propose several trade delegations from the U.S. Midwest to visit India in 2016.
The consulate also plans to organize economic seminars in collaboration with the Illinois Chamber of Commerce to promote ‘Make in India Week’ Feb. 3, the emerging Markets Conference in May, U.S.-India Health Summit, and the ‘Growing U.S.-India Strategy and Economic Partnerships Trends’ in June.
As a part of strengthening the consulate services, Sayeed has announced that all consular officers will now be available to meet with public without appointment everyday between 10 AM-11 AM and that phone lines will be open for public daily from 2-4 pm and all emails and consular queries will be answered within 48 hours.
“If there is any issue which cannot be resolved by meeting the attendants, we have now established an open door policy where any constituent can request to meet with an officer between the hours of 10-11 AM daily. We will also continue to render emergency visa services on weekends and holidays in the event of death of a family member,” from the community.
As part of its outreach activities the Consulate will organize “open houses at the premises every quarter and has planned consular camps in Chicago suburbs, Detroit, Milwaukee, Indianapolis and St. Louis so that constituents can have their issues resolved immediately.
To achieve cultural goals, the consulate will host a myriad of events throughout 2016, including the Republic Day, International Yoga Day, Independence Day Celebrations, Kala Utsav 2016, the India-US Polo Tournament, Gandhi Jayanti and Constitution Day. In addition it would continue to give patronage to as many Indian-American organizations throughout Chicagoland and Midwest states as possible.
As a part of the Parvasi Bharitya Divas, Sayeed commended the Indian Diaspora, saying that “many things are happening in India on January 10 as the Pravathi Bhartya Diwas is being simultaneously celebrated across many nations, the purpose of which is to benefit from the experiences of the Indian Diaspora and we value their experiences and how they can benefit the social and economic development of India.”
As a part of the PBD celebrations the three Chicagoland organizations – Pratham, Bharathi Theerta and India Development Coalition of America – were invited to speak to members from the community and media at the event.
Each of these Indian Diaspora organizations has been involved in development of programs like Swach Bharat and Make in India to improve India with their talent and technology, including Pratham which has educated more than five million children each year for less $25 per year, the Bharathi Theertah which has helped with maintenance and cleaning of India’s rivers and provided solar lamps across the Indian villages.
To mark the World Hindi Day Viswas, Hindi Diwas, which fell on Jan. 10, O.P. Meena, consul, community welfare, read out a message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi about his goal to have Hindi to be recognized as an official language in the United Nations.
Community leaders, including Rajan Joshi said that next year’s Parvasi Bharitya Diwas should be celebrated in Chicago. Sayeed concurred. “I too would be very honored if next year’s Parvasi Bharatya Diwas is celebrated in Chicago.”
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