NEW YORK CITY (TIP): With an aim to strengthen ties with the local Indian Community in Buffalo, New York, the  Indian Consulate organized an outreach program for the Indian community on consular, economic, cultural, banking and tourism matters on August 21-22, 2015. Representatives of Andhra Bank, Bank of Baroda, ICICI Bank, State Bank of India, Air India, India Tourism, Make My Trip, COM , Thomas Cook India, Cox and Kings and NS Global participated in the event.

A Business luncheon was organized by Dr. Kulwant Bhangoo at Hotel Hyatt, 2 Fountain Plaza, Buffalo. Around 40 businessmen, American dignitaries including Congressman Brian Higgins, Mr. Jim Kennedy – Regional Director to Senator Gillibrand, Dr. Satish Tripathi – President of University at Buffalo, Mr. Joe McDonald – President and CEO of CHS of Buffalo, Mr. Urlaub – President and CEO of Mercy Hospital of Buffalo, Erie County Legislator-Barbara Miller-Williams, Assemblymen and Legislators participated in the event. It gave a unique opportunity to our bankers and industry partners to get some insight of business opportunities for Indian conglomerates in Buffalo region.

Besides, the delegation also called on  Mayor Byron Brown and  State Senator Timothy Kennedy to discuss about the existing relationship between Buffalo, New York and India. In the meeting it was agreed to have a sister city cooperation between Buffalo and an Indian city. Possibilities of visits to India by the Mayor and the Senator were also discussed.

A visa camp and the community event were organized on the following day at Tandoori Restaurant – 7740 Transit Road, Williamsville, New York. More than 150 people participated in the visa camp, where applications for Indian visa, OCI cards and Renunciation certificates were received from the applicants. Over 150 people from various Indian Community and Associations based in Buffalo region attended the Community event in the evening, followed by a networking dinner. Besides, people representing print and electronic media also covered both the events.

The Outreach program provided a platform to the community to know about the activities of the Consulate as well as other economic houses of India based in New York/Washington. The Community welcomed the idea and requested us to organize such events frequently.