India Post News Service

CHICAGO: Iftekhar Shareef, president of the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA), along with 15 prominent Indian Americans leaders, called on the newly appointed Consul General Ashok Kumar Attri at his office in downtown Chicago to formally extend a heartfelt welcome on behalf of Indian Americans here and seek his support for celebration of India's 60th Independence Day.

The FIA team also took the opportunity to present a formal memorandum chronicling the landmark achievements of the Federation. Shareef pointed out that FIA is the largest ethnic umbrella organization in Illinois that can boast of having over 20 community associations as its members. For the past 27 years of its existence, FIA has distinguished itself in providing leadership on all the issues that are central to India and significant to the Indian Americans. Extending a warm welcome on behalf of the Illinois' burgeoning Indian community, Shareef emphasized that FIA is a premier community organization that played a historic role in fostering vibrant Indo-US relations.

Each of its leader and president served as an ambassador representing the hopes and aspirations of the people of India. An informal discussion ensued after the formal comments and exchanges of pleasantries. FIA's past president Babu Patel raised some concern about the lack of courtesy shown by the office in dealing with the customers. Ashok Kumar thanked the delegation and praised them for their leadership. Outlining his agenda for the future, he pledged that he is not satisfied with the status-quo but is determined to work lot harder to make the Consulate more accountable, professional and courteous. He assured that he would not rest on laurels but like to institute responsibility to ensure that the people get efficient services. He said that he was working on friendlier phone systems for the office for easy access by callers. Smita Shah, Executive Director of FIA, also Chairperson for Delhi-Chicago Sister City, emphasized the need for the Consulate to work closely with leadership of Indian community.

Outlining some of the accomplishments, Shareef detailed as to how FIA strived to foster closer Indo-US ties by cultivating US lawmakers. "We have worked hard to enlist a number of Congressmen to join the India Caucus and persuaded several US Senators to join the Friends of India Club in the Senate.Also we hosted forums and round-table conference for Indian Americans in bringing to focus the issues that are critical to us," he added.

He also pointed out FIA was all set to work with the office of the Consul General to host public receptions to visiting dignitaries in future. The delegation of prominent representatives that called on the Consul General included Naren Patel, Kanti Patel, Ranjit Ganguly, Prahlad Patil, Smita Shah, Sohan Joshi, Keerthi Ravoori, Dr Hyder Mohammed, Subash Bhatt, Mina Purohit, Sher Mohammed Rajput, Dr Ram Gajjela, Babu Patel and Beena Patel. In conclusion, Iftekhar Shareef cordially extended an invitation to Consul General Ashok Kumar, his wife and his staff to attend the series of celebration events hosted in commemoration of India's Independence in Chicago.