NEW YORK CITY (TIP): The Consulate General of India, New York in association with AIA (Association of Indian Americans) celebrated Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2017 (PBD 2017) at its premises on Saturday 8, January 2017. A large number of people including Ms. Letitia James, Public Advocate for New York and prominent leaders of the Indian American Community attended the event. Ms Suhma Kaushik, poet recited a poem from ‘Radhika’ by Dr. Om Prakash Gaur, Pravasi, her father.

Welcoming the participants, Consul General Ambassador Riva Ganguly Das mentioned about the highlights of PBD and said Indians residing in US have increased in numbers to about 3.8 million and have been contributing richly to the USA, representing the best of Indian culture, ethos and values.

A short film on PBD as well as the speech of Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi on PBD Conference, Bengaluru was shown to the audience. In her remarks, Public Advocate Ms. Letitia James spoke of the enormous contribution of the Indian American community to US. There was a lively interactive session at which young people participated actively. Several new suggestions to increase interaction between the community and the Consulate were also made. A large number of members of media were also present.