Key Highlights: 

Consul General Binaya Pradhan recommends VFS Global to establishing a VFS Service Center in the Boston 

Third ‘International India Day Parade’ to be celebrated on 10th Aug 2024 in Boston Harbor by FIA-New England & its partner organizations,

The Consul General assured full cooperation in pursuing with earnesty the possibility of getting a direct flight from Boston to India

Grand Welcome for New CGI Binaya Srikant Pradhan by FIA New England & 50+ Community Organizations

In a vibrant display of camaraderie and cultural diversity, over 50 New England community and cultural organizations united to extend a warm welcome to the newly appointed Consul General of India, Binaya Srikant Pradhan. The grand reception, organized by the Foundation of Indian Associations (FIA) New England, took place in the heart of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The event, which showcased the unity and spirit of the Indian diaspora, was a resounding success, drawing an audience of over 200 individuals representing a multitude of local Indian organizations.

Under the adept leadership of Mr. Abhishek Singh, the FIA-NE team orchestrated a spectacular evening that began with a captivating cultural program. Attendees were treated to mesmerizing dance and musical performances, setting the stage for an evening of celebration and camaraderie. The cultural segment, which featured renditions of "Vande Mataram" and captivating dances, highlighted the rich cultural heritage of India and the vibrant talent within the community.

The highlight of the evening was the series of speeches delivered by esteemed guests and dignitaries, including the newly appointed CGI Binaya Srikant Pradhan, who shared insights and reflections on various topics of significance. A lively question and answer session ensued, providing attendees with a unique opportunity to engage directly with the distinguished chief guest.

Each participating organization was honored on stage, extending their warm welcome and fostering meaningful interactions with the Consul General. The event concluded with a lavish dinner, providing attendees with the opportunity to network and forge new connections in an informal setting.

The program was expertly hosted by Jyoti Singh and Dr. Lakshmi Thalanki, Amol Pensharwar whose charm and grace added to the ambiance of the evening. Their seamless coordination ensured that the event ran smoothly, leaving a lasting impression on all attendees.

Inspirational speeches were delivered by State Representative of RI, Robert Lancia, Harvard Alumni and IAS Officer, Mrinalini Darshwal, Deputy Consul General, Dr. Varun Jeph, and FIA-NE Board of Trustee, Sandeep Asija, and Professor Balram Singh. These speeches underscored the importance of fostering Indo-US partnerships and highlighted the collective responsibility of all stakeholders in advancing mutual cooperation and understanding.

The grand welcome extended to CGI Binaya Srikant Pradhan by the New England community exemplifies the spirit of unity, cultural richness, and camaraderie that defines the Indian diaspora in the region. As the partnership between India and the United States continues to strengthen, events like these serve as a testament to the enduring bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two nations.

The questions presented the wishes of the New England Indian diaspora of having a VFS Service Center in the Boston area as well as getting a direct flight from Boston to India. Other questions touched upon clarifying the services provided by the consulate for emergency and crisis situations. Questions also pertained to contributions of the Indian diaspora and advancing partnership in technology sharing. All the questions were patiently noted down by the Consul General and addressed them with specific points and detailing the path forward.

The Consul General acknowledged the fact that among the Indian diaspora living in the USA, a substantial number lived in the New England area. He understood that the need for the VFS Service Center is very real which would greatly benefit the large Indian population living here. He accepted and emphasized that the convenience it offers can not be understated. Consul General Binaya Pradhan promised that he would work on establishing a VFS Service Center in the Boston area as one of his priorities. This assurance was received by the audience with jubilance and applause.

On the question of having a direct flight from Boston to India, the Consul General talked about his experience and the difficulties he faced while he was a CGI in Tanzania where he tried to get a direct flight to that country from India. Based on his previous experience, he assured that he certainly is more familiar now with the nuances of the government as well as the people in the airline private sector that he needs to approach to have this request heard. He was explained that a survey was conducted by FIA-NE in the New England area, which had over 10,000 responses requesting for the direct flight. There was a direct correspondence with the Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia regarding this request, which was responded with a commitment and support from the government. Former MP Suresh Prabhu facilitated this correspondence and stood with FIA-NE in it's efforts. The Consul General assured full cooperation in pursuing with earnesty the possibility of getting a direct flight from Boston to India. CGI has given FIA lifetime award to Giri Vardhan for his selfless community service in the field of education 

The FIA-NE did a curtain raiser for the Third ‘International India Day Parade’ to be celebrated on 10th Aug 2024 in Boston Harbor, in the presence of Consul General. He was the first one to be officially invited to this grand celebration with the invitation of being the ‘Guest of Honor’ on the day. The festivities happen on a grand scale with 1000s of New Englanders attending the event. It was first done on the 75th Independence day of India in 2022. An over 200 feet flag flying in the sky was an eye-catching attraction. These celebrations have participants from over 35 Countries. For this reason, this year it will be called an ‘International India Day Parade’. The Consul General was pleasantly happy with the invitation and the FIA-NE team is eagerly looking forward to his formal acceptance.

The reception event organized by FIA-NE in Massachusetts for the Indian Consul General Binaya Srikanta Pradhan was a roaring success. It not only brought together the large number of Indian organizations (over 50 of them) under one platform, it also gave an opportunity for all of them to meet and greet the newly appointed representative of India on American soil. FIA-New England executive Anand Sharma and Rakesh kavsari has concluded the program with thank you message. 

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