Media India Lecture

"Role of Ethnic Media in Promoting India-US Ties"

by Mr Aziz Haniffa

at

Consulate General of India, New York

(From Left to Right - Mr Aziz Haniffa, Ms S M Kalita and Consul General Amb. Dyaneshwar M Mulay)

On 18th July 2014, in the Ball Room of the Consulate General of India, New York, Mr Aziz Haniffa, Managing Editor and Chief Diplomatic and Political Correspondent of America's most widely read South Asian newspaper "India Abroad", talked about the "Role of Ethnic Media in Promoting India-US Ties" under a widely appreciated intellectual lecture series "Media India Lecture Series: 2014-15".

(Inaugurating the lecture series, Consul General Amb. Mulay)

Inaugurating the lecture series, Consul General Amb. Mulay in his welcome speech informed about the events taking place in this Consulate, the openness embraced by the Consulate and future plans to arrange various events and interactions. He praised Mr Haniffa's efforts as well as "India Abroad"'s contribution to serve the Indian-American community by keeping them abreast of the happenings from their perspective since its inception in 1970. He compared the print media with the Visual media and elaborated on the role of ethnic media.

(Mr Aziz Haniffa delivering his speech)

Mr Haniffa, astonished the gathering with his journey with "India Abroad" which started when he completed his course in journalism, by Mr Gopal Raju, founder "India Abroad" and that he was of  Sri Lankan origin. Mr Raju and he himself not only worked for this publication but also played important role during various phases of Indo-US relations right from the days of Emergency till now when India is an important strategic partner of US in South Asia and US’s support to India on nuclear issues. Citing "India Abroad" as a case study, he discussed about the events after India conducted its nuclear tests and how "India Abroad" team pursued with the American government for the Indian cause. He recounted the period of rapport between Ronald Reagan and Rajiv Gandhi, the period of creating “Friends of India” in senator Steven Solarz, the efforts of stymieing anti-India measures in the Congress, the period of Bush sr and  Bush jr. and their support to India against certain strong lobbies within their ruling establishment and the positive role played by the ethnic press in creating a positive climate for better relations.

(Question-Answer-Session during the lecture)

Amb. Mulay also introduced Ms S Mitra Kalita, Ideas Editor at Quartz. She worked previously at The Wall Street Journal and is a well-known writer too. Ms Kalita  moderated the discussion that enlightened the audience.

(Guests from various media agencies and other guests)

Many important personalities from the mainstream as well as ethnic media attended the lecture and praised the Consulate's initiative of the Media India-series.  

The event ended with a grand dinner.

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