CHICAGO: Brevity is considered to be the soul of a good report and it seems after listening to Indian Ambassador Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, that brevity in speech should also be the soul of good and effective speech.
Ambassador Jaishankar was quite pleasing and effective though he spoke briefly to a good number of Indian community leaders, Chicago elites and US elected officials during a reception hosted in his honor by Indian Consul General Dr Ausaf Sayeed at the Union Club of Chicago in Downtown Chicago on the evening of Thursday February 27.
Those present at the reception were truly impressed by his simplicity, sincerity and sagacity. He came he saw and he conquered those there along with Dr Ausaf Sayeed, who has also won the hearts of Chicagoan Indians.
In his address, the Ambassador laid emphasis on basics of Indo-US relationship observing that the fundamentals were sound and that minor irritants cropping up of late, though significant, could be overcome with mutual give and take.
The Indian envoy said that the ‘romance phase of courtship’ has ended and hard work is ahead. Speaking in sub-zero temperatures outside and against the backdrop of cooling of ties between India and the United States, he said that although “current sentiment seems less than positive,” the two countries “can neither afford dilution of attention nor weakening of faith” in the relationship that is always fated to show resilience and unity of purpose.
He exuded confidence that the relation between India and US would hit a new high as in the market terminology “the fundamentals are good, it’s the sentiment that needs improving.” He underlined the importance of close mutually beneficial relationship mainly because India and USA are world’s largest and leading democratic nations.
However, this did not prevent him from cautioning US lawmakers keen on tightening visa rules for hi-tech firms and professionals while overhauling immigration laws. The move is fraught with danger as it will have serious adverse repercussion on Indian economy and expansion of trade between these two great world democracies, he observed.
Ambassador Jaishankar did not mince words in thanking Indian CG Dr Ausaf Sayeed and its staff hosting this memorable event.
Earlier, Indian CG Dr Ausuf Sayeed extended hearty welcome to Chicago Indian American elite; American elected officials and guests and took opportunity to introduce the honored guest, Dr Jaishankar. The welcome ceremony had started with social hours with cheese wine reception along with specially prepared Indian appetizer.
A graduate of St. Stephen’s College at the University of Delhi, M.A. in Political Science, M. Phil. and PhD in International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University where he specialized in Nuclear Diplomacy, Jaishankar is a career Indian civil servant and diplomat with impeccable credentials. His previous appointments included India’s Ambassador to People’s Republic of China and Czech Republic, High Commissioner to Singapore etc. During the era of President Bush he played a key role in negotiating the nuclear treaty.
He succeeds Ms Nirupama Rao as Indian Ambassador to USA and faces a great challenge and opportunity ahead to build new bridges of friendship and strengthen relations with this great country despite current blip in bilateral relations.
On this occasion, present on behalf of Governor of Illinois Quinn, Ms. Theresa Mah, Senior Policy Advisor & Director of Asian American Outreach, read welcoming and congratulatory message from the Governor.
There were many dignitaries present in the audience including Swati Dandekar, State Rep. Iowa; Tony Preckwinkle, President Cook County Board; Ameya Pawar, Alderman, 47th Ward; Divya Sarang, Public Prosecutor, Chicago City Hall; Daniel Goff, Dy. Dir. Trade & Investment ILL,; Andrew Spinelli, Dy Dir., Mayor’s Office; Amardeep Kaleka, Candidate for US Congress; Manju Goel, Candidate for US Congress; Dorothy Brown; Douglas Derrick, President, Art Institute; Niranjan Shah CEO Globe Trotter Engineering Corp, Ms Smita Shah of Chicago Delhi Sister Cities, Dr Bharat Barai, Oncologist from Indiana; Naren Patel, CEO Medstar Laboratories; Santosh Kumar Executive Director MAFS; Hemant Shah of Jain Society; Rajinder Singh Mago; Balvinder Singh; Basanti Banerjee of Indo American Center; Dr Asit Sen of IADO Sohan Joshi NFIA President, Kanti Patel of Gujarat Culture, Vinesh Virai of Art of Living and many more.
Among those present, Dr Bharat Barai former President of FIA, said he “had the privilege of meeting Dr Jaishankar at his residence in a dinner hosted in favor of Congressman Ami Bera and Crowly. Dr Jaishankar is a knowledgeable person and he knows the issues facing Indo-US relationship. I am confident that he will bring India and US closer during his term.”
Naren Patel, former president of Association of Indians in America said, “Dr Jaishankar’s speech was quite to the point and really thought provoking. He has impressed us all. He has vast diplomatic experience and I wish him grand success.”
Rishikant Singh, Manager Midwest of Air India said, “I am impressed by his sagacity and he would succeed in his mission to bring India-US closer, politically and economically.”
Asian Media USA & S. Ullal
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