Keerthi Ravoor
CHICAGO: The Indian American Business Council [IABC] in collaboration with the office of the Consulate General of India held Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Promotional Community Meet & Reception with the purpose of mobilizing participation of the Indian diaspora from the Chicagoland area at the Marriot Northwest in Hoffman Estate, Illinois.
This promotional community meet attracted 20 community organizations that have stepped up to showcase enthusiastic support and interest in participating at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas to be held in Indore City, India from January 8-10, 2023.
Several Chicago community leaders spoke with Somnath Ghosh, Consul General of India taking the lead. CG Somnath Ghosh thanked Indian American Business Council and the participating organizations for their participation and said that it augurs well that the representation from Illinois at PBD will be robust. CG Somnath Ghosh outlined the success story of India and the trajectory of India accelerating economic growth and its march towards global eminence. He urged Indian diaspora to take this opportunity to visit India to attend the PBD to discuss and participate in nation building. CG Ghosh spent time interacting with each organizational groups and acknowledging them for their warm reception.
Earlier, Ajeet Singh, President IABC in his welcome address explained that it is our collective mission to ensure substantial representation of Indian Americans from Illinois at PBD. He thanked each of the twenty community organizations for their fervent support and particularly thanked Ambassador Somnath Ghosh and acknowledged AmarbirGhoman and Harry Ghoman for graciously opening their Marriot facility to showcase PravasiBharatiya Divas event.
He announced IABC will host the ‘Global India Conclave’ in July 2023 in Chicago that will celebrate the magnificent transformational story of India and the sizeable contributions made by the Indian diaspora in India’s march towards global eminence.
Dr.BharatBarai, a recipient of PravasiBharatiya Divas Award from the then President of India – in his remarks presented an overview and how PravasiBharatiya Divas meet has evolved since its inception. He advocated Indian Americans to attend and participate at the NRI Divas to engage in a conversation that seeks to bring about meaningful outcomes.
Dr. Sreenivas Reddy, Chairman of Illinois Medical Board highlighted the noteworthy role and the contributions of the Indian diaspora in nation rebuilding especially during the pandemic. He thanked Consul General Somnath Ghosh for his efforts in galvanizing the community to appraise the significance of participation at the PravasiBharatiya Divas and added that the year 2023 would a momentous year with PravasiBharatiya Divas, The Global India Conclave in Chicago, Global Peace Festival with Shree Shree Ravi Shankar ji and the G20 Summit in New Delhi.
Earlier, AmarbirGhoman, CEO of the Marriot Northwest welcomed the guests and said he is honored to be the host for this important PBD promotional reception.
Indore City Mayor Shri. Pushyamitra Bhargav came on ‘live’ and addressed the gathering and said a historic welcome awaits the Indian diaspora at the PBD meet in his city which he said bears a rich history and rapid industrialization, Indore is famously known for its hospitable people, magnificent palaces and temples, street food, night markets, and more and added it is becoming a preferred destination. Kailash Vijayvargiya former Mayor of Indore and National General Secretary of BJP party also joined in inviting Indian Americans to join in him at PBD meet.
FIA Chairman Sunil Shah in his introductory remarks said they are excited to be a part of PravasiBharatiya Divas promotional event and added under the aegis of FIA we will mobilize good representation at the Pravasi Divas in Indore, India.
Anand Tiwari of Madhya Pradesh association made a power point presentation that exhibited the evolving beauty of Indore City and how it is rapidly transforming to be the ‘Silicon Valley of the Madhya [middle] Pradesh.
Keerthi Kumar Ravoori, Chair of IABC served as the moderator for the event. Dr. Vemuri Murthy of Chicago Medical Society spoke at the event. Vinesh Virani, proposed a vote of thanks acknowledging Consular officers Vinod Gautham, Ranjit Singh and TD Bhutiya and others.
