Suketu Mehta spoke on “India & US: Traffic of Ideas”

NEW YORK, NY (TIP): An ambitious project of the Indian Consulate was launched here on March 21, 2014. “Media India: 2014-15”, a monthly lecture-series, conceived by Ambassador Dnyaneshwar Mulay, had an auspicious kick off with the maiden lecture being delivered by an eminent scholar and writer Suketu Mehta at the Consulate’s ornate ball-room.

Outlining the objective behind the lecture series, the Consul General said that these conversations were aimed at discussing India’s global image, identity, aspirations, role and projection and related themes aimed at mainstream media, University students, youth and second generation Indian Americans.

He highlighted the other initiatives like showcasing States of India in the series “Stateby- State” to introduce the diversity and vibrancy of Indian states. The distinguished speaker who is working with Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute, New York University, in his sharp presentation “India & US: Traffic of Ideas” praised centuries old traditions in India of debate and discourse and India’s continued long democratic tradition.

He also pointed out occasional intolerance displayed by certain sections that impact free speech and democracy itself. He contended that Indians can handle multiple identities and have been successful due to their resilience, hard-work and discipline. He also explained that in today’s world there need not be ‘one home’ as there is more human mobility than ever.

Consul General of India in New York, Ambassador Dnyaneshwar Mulay said these conversations were aimed at discussing India’s global image, identity, aspirations, role and projection and related themes

The speech was moderated by Tunku Varadarajan, Professor at the City University of New York’s Graduate School of Journalism. In the ensuing question and answer session a large number of questions were answered by Suketu Mehta. The event was attended, among others, by renowned author Salman Rushdie; Digambar Bhouraskar, former Director of United Nations and writer of “United Nations’ Development Aid: A Study in History and Politics”; Kaydor Aukatsang, representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for North America along with many educationists and students from New York University, PACE University, Queens College whose participation during the Question-Answer-session made the session lively and informative.

Tunku Varadarajan, Professor at the City University of New York’s Graduate School of Journalism moderated the session

The next lecture in the series is scheduled for April 11. Bobby Ghosh, Editor-in-Chief. Time International, New York will speak on ‘How the World Sees India’s Election’. The session will be moderated by Tom Nagorski, Executive Vice President, Asia Society, New York. Those interested in this unique Lectureseries may send their request to culture@indiacgny.org or commerce@indiacgny.org.

Eminent author and thinker Suketu Mehta contended that Indians can handle multiple identities and have been successful due to their resilience, hard-work and discipline