CHICAGO
Consul General of India Ausaf Sayeed visited Minneapolis, Minnesota, from Feb. 5 through 8, to meet with the Minnesota Secretary of State, Steve Simon, former Secretary of State Mark Ritchie and senior officials of the Department of Employment and Economic Development, U.S. Small Business Administration, India Chamber of Commerce, Minnesota World’s Fair Team and business houses such as CVRx, Life Science Alley and Innovations Inc.
Sayeed visited University of Minnesota, where he met with several heads of departments and renowned professors and scholars, including Dr Kumar G. Belani, Assistant Vice President, India Affairs, to discuss avenues for expanding educational and scientific cooperation between the university and their academic counterparts in India. Sayeed also visited the Masonic Cancer Center at the university and was given an extensive briefing by professor (Dr.) Ashok K. Saluja and his team, who are doing pioneering research to develop a drug called ‘Minnelide’ for treatment of pancreatic cancer.
Sayeed addressed a town hall meeting at Hindu Temple in Minnesota and interacted with Indian-Americans on matters relating to consular and visa services, besides a host of other issues such as ‘Swach Bharat Abhiyan’ (Clean India initiative) and opportunities for people’s participation in governance through the Prime Minister’s portal Mygov.in.
The Consul General delivered a keynote address at the ‘Connect India 2015′ event organized by the Indian Association in Minnesota at Wilder Center, Saint Paul, Minnesota, Feb. 7. Sayeed lauded the valuable contributions made by the Indian-American community toward the socio-economic, academic and scientific progress of Minnesota, highlighting the success stories of several members of the Indian Diaspora in the U.S. He also highlighted the huge economic potential that exists between India and the U.S. with particular reference to the nine Midwest states covered by the Consulate.
Photo caption: Consul General of India in Chicago, Ausaf Sayeed (C), along with Seann Nelipinath (L), Chairman of India Chamber of Commerce USA- Minnesota, met with Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon (R) during his visit to Minneapolis, Feb. 5 to 8.