Indian Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture Meenakshi Lekhi, who was in New York on an official visit, addressed members of the Indian-American community at a community reception hosted at the Consulate General of India in New York on September 8, 2021 “India stands for friendship, goodwill and cooperation,” Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakashi Lekhi said. “We believe in working for the well-being of mankind and not causing disruption.” In her address, she said members of the Indians are innovators, engineers and have “contributed to the well-being of your adopted nation”.
Speaking at the reception, Minister Lekhi highlighted the need for the UN to be in tune with modern times and thanked Indian-Americans for their commitment to strengthening their ancestral homeland.
Minister Lekhi also spoke of the economic strides made in India for betterment of women, education, housing, infrastructure and sanitation. She called those in the diaspora, “Ambassadors of India” who could reach beyond the official Ambassador, to other Americans.
Other speakers included India’s Consul General Jaiswal and the new Deputy Consul General of India Varun Jeph. Other attendees included Padma Shri Dr. Sudhir Parikh, chairman of Parikh Worldwide Media and ITV Gold, actor Anupam Kher, Srujal Parikh, joint secretary of the Federation of Indian Associations, Dr. Avinash Gupta, president of the Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America, and Chess Grandmaster Abhimanyu Mishra, who was presented a plaque during the event Deputy Consul General Jeph thanked Minister Lekhi for an inspiring speech that spoke of a ‘New India’ and her words of encouragement for the Indian-American community.
He also thanked the leaders and representatives of the community for participating in the in-person event as well as coming on line virtually. He said he looked forward to getting to know Indian-Americans during his tenure in New York.