20th Media India Lecture Series "Pathway to the bench" by Hon. Raja Rajeswari
Wednesday, 10 December 2015

The Consulate General of India and the South Asian Bar Association of New York collaborated in hosting Media India Lecture Series withprominent dignitary, the Hon'ble Raja Rajeswari, first Indian born American woman to become criminal court judge in New York City.MsRajeshwari, who migrated to the US at the age of 16, was sworn-in as a criminal court judge by Mayor Bill de Blasio.

The Consul General, Ambassador Dnyaneshwar Mulay in his welcoming remarks spoke about Ms Rajeswari's accomplishments and how she has become an example for all other women, especially from India. During her speech MsRajeswarishared the gripping story of her journey to the high position she now occupies from a humble beginning in Chennai through hard work and determination.Her guiding spirit is to do the right thing whatever the situation is and she sticks to her father's dictum of living for others.She hopes to use her new position to improve the judicial system by encouraging interpreters to have more access to aid immigrants.Her special intention has been helping women and children to get equal justice in their lives.

Besides her legal career, MsRajeswari is an accomplished Bharat Natyam and Kucchipudi dancer performing at Indian events and temples with her troupe from the Padmalaya Dance Academy, named after her mother, Padma Ramanathan.

The lecture was followed by Q & A session moderated by the Consul General followed by dance performance by the students of Padmalaya Dance Academy. The event was attended by a large number of Indians and alike representing diverse backgrounds and concluded with a dinner.
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