Consulate General of India, New York

PRESS RELEASE

"Media India: 2014-15"

Lecture by Mr Leander Paes on "My Tennis and India-US Relations"

at

Consulate General of India, New York

(The guests)

On the evening of August 22, 2014 the Ballroom of the Consulate General of India, New York was electrified by the attendance of Mr Leander Paes, the Tennis Player who has the honor of winning the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna and Arjuna  Award for his outstanding contribution to tennis in India.  He is also the oldest man to have won a grand slam title and the recipient of and Padma Shri, fourth highest civilian award of India.

(Consul General Amb Dnyaneshwar M Mulay speaking on the occasion)

Consul General of India in New York Ambassador Dnyaneshwar M. Mulay in his opening remarks informed how he persuaded Mr Paes to speak on the topic "My Tennis and India-US Relations". He declared that the Consulate in New York will work as Champion of promoting Indianness and Indian arts and culture, whether it is ancient martial art of “Malakhambh” which has been introduced in the USA by its support and performance in the Consulate or the Media India lecture-series which presents renowned personalities like the then Time Magazine world editor Mr Bobby Ghosh, the oldest man to win Grand Slam Mr Leander Paes etc. The step to promote films and literature has also been taken by the Consulate through the Club “FilLit” which was launched by Hon’ble MP Hema Malini in July 2014.

(Mr Leander Paes and Ms Neha Uberoi)

Mr Paes was introduced by the United States Tennis Association High Performance Team player Ms Neha Uberoi who dedicates her time to volunteering, mentoring and teaching youth around the world about the   importance of physical fitness and education through sport.  Ms Neha cited the achievements of Mr Paes and quoted Mr Paes as 'Living Legend' as well as her role-model during her early carreer days in tennis since 1994 and welcomed him to talk about "My Tennis and India-US Relations".

(Mr Leander Paes speaking about "My Tennis and India-US Relations")

The distinguished speaker Mr Paes spoke about his birth, childhood and his transition from footballer to tennis player. He shared experiences of his life and how he arrived in USA in 1990 and continued here to rise to the present status. He described his early life in Chennai with old friends that he still cherishes. He still enjoys "to teach a child in candle light in the orphanage" run by him  back home in India. While answering the questions of the guests, he frequently quoted other tennis players of repute and his learning through intra-personal relations. He advised the President of Carom Association to move ahead with innovative mind for launching any new career or profession or area of interest such as carom. In the last, Mr Paes gave his guidelines for the new generation too.

(Mr Vikram Rajadhyaksha, Mr Leander Paes and Ms Neha Uberoi)

The speech was moderated by Mr. Vikram Rajadhyaksha Raj, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DLZ Corporation. Mr. Rajadhyaksha earned IIT Bachelor’s Degree in 1967 and received his Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Cincinnati in 1968. Tennis-fan Mr Rajadhyaksha was present during even the first match played by Mr Paes in London. He mentioned that now he doesn't play the tennis, a power game due to his age but he watches the matches frequently and he was very glad to be here to moderate a Tennis-event.

(Sitting: Consul General Amb. Dnyaneshwar M Mulay - second from right, Mr Vikram Rajadhyaksha -second from left
Standing: Mr Leander Paes - second from right, Ms Neha Uberoi - fourth from the right
and other guests)

The event was attended by galaxy of tennis players of new generation including that of Ms Lavanya Khanuja, the youngest Indian to reach Grand Slam, and renowned personalities, educationists and students from different universities whose participation during the Question-Answer-session made the session lively and informative. On this occasion Consul General Amb Mulay offered to host the Carom Championship too. The lecture ended with dinner.

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