(English / हिंदी )

On the evening of March 21, 2014 the Consulate General of India, New York kicked off "Media India: 2014-15", a monthly lecture-series, at the Consulate’s ball-room.

(From left to right: Mr Salman Rushdie, Mr Suketu Mehta, Mr Tunku Varadarajan and Amb. Dyaneshwar M Mulay)

Consul General of India in New York Ambassador Dnyaneshwar M. Mulay in his opening remarks informed that these conversations were aimed at discussing India’s global image, identity, aspirations, role and projection and related themes aimed at mainstream media, University students, youth and second generation Indian Americans. He highlighted the other initiatives like "State-by-State" being taken by the Consulate to introduce the diversity an vibrancy of Indian states.

The distinguished speaker Mr Suketu Mehta, author and thinker who is working with Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute, New York University in his sharp presentation "India & US: Traffic of Ideas" praised centuries old traditions in India of debate and discourse and India's continued long democratic tradition. He also pointed out occasional intolerance displayed by certain sections that impact free speech and democracy itself. He contended that Indians can handle multiple identities and have been successful due to their resilience , hard-work and discipline. He also explained that in today's world there need not be 'one home' as there is more human mobility than ever.

The speech was moderated by Mr Tunku Varadarajan, Professor at the City University of New York's Graduate School of Journalism. In the ensuing question and answer  a large number of questions were answered by Mr. Mehta.

(a view of audience at the lecture)

The event was attended by renowned author Mr Salman Rushdie; Mr Digambar Bhouraskar, former Director of United Nations and writer of "United Nations' Development Aid: A Study in History and Politics"; Mr. Kaydor Aukatsang, representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for North America along with many educationists and students from New York University, PACE University, Queens College whose participation during the Question-Answer-session made the session lively and informative. The lecture ended with dinner.

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