CHICAGO: The newly appointed Indian Consul General Neeta Bhushan is making a fresh energetic bid to make the Indian Consulate in Chicago more efficient, more approachable and more amiable to the community at large and members of the Indian community in particular. Among the few steps she has already taken includes her first interactive meet with Desi Media here last week.
Addressing the media members she informed that there was a pileup of nearly 5000 applications for OCI cards. In the course of six seven weeks, she and her consulate staff looked at each and every pending application and disposed off all of them.
Earlier, Consul O.P.Meena welcomed the guests and introduced Mrs. Neeta Bhushan who joined as CG in Chicago on January 23. CG Bhushan then informed that her new initiatives include operation of one dedicated phone line from 9 am – 5:30 pm, immediate response of queries even received on social media and extension of community outreach program to one or two every month.
Besides, Consul General would herself be available to meet people during Open House. She reiterated her commitment for welfare of Indian community and Diaspora residing in her Consul jurisdiction.
She has not lost time to strike rapport with the dignitaries among whom would include meeting with Governor of Michigan Rick Snyder, Governor of South Dakota Dennis Daugaard, Governor of North Dakota, Doug Burgum, Governor of IOWA Terry Branstad, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, Lieutenant Governor of Illinois Ms. Evelyn Sanguinetti, and Secretary of State of Illinois Jesse White.
She also had a chance to meet Governor of Indiana Eric Holcomb at NGA meet hosted by Ambassador Navtej Sarna in Washington DC.
Media was also told about the incoming and outgoing Trade delegations to and from Chicago. Neeraj Kumar Gupta, Secretary, Department of Investment and Public Asset Management is leading a delegation to Chicago to participate in Road Show on May 5. Rajiv Singh, CEO, Prasar Bharati is coming to Chicago on April 28 to meet with media organization /public service provider. The proposed outgoing Trade delegations to India include high level Mission led by Governors of Michigan, Indiana, Minnesota and Illinois as well as Mayor of Indianapolis.
Indian Consulate also plans a series of events during the current year like Ambedkar Jayanti on April 14, 350th Birth Anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh on June 11, 3rd International Yoga Day on June 24, India’s 70th Independence Day celebrations on August 15, Kala Utsav on August 26 and Gandhi Jayanti celebrations on October 2. CG mentioned that India at 70 logo, designed in India, should be given prominence by Desi media.
Consul General answered questions about Reza Aslan’s reporting on Aghoris. She wondered if the Consulate should or could intervene. She however informed that Amazon was selling floor mats with Indian flag that was withdrawn after protest from the Consulate.
Consul Vishwapal also addressed the meet and talked about OCI and relevant matters. CG then thanked media for support in disseminating Consulate’s initiatives, activities and program among Indian Diaspora.
Ramesh Soparawala
India Post News Service
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