R-Day event: Dr Nori honored: $10,000 presented to museum

The Consul General of India in New York, Ambassador Dnyaneshwar M. Mulay, hosted a Reception to celebrate the 66th Republic Day of India on January 30, 2015.

Over two hundred guests consisting of prominent dignitaries, and representatives from the Indian American community were present.

In attendance were also the Consul Generals of Bangladesh and South Africa, 2015 Padma Shri Awardee Dr. Dattathreyudu Nori, Assemblywoman Latha Mangipudi from New Hampshire Assemblyman Raj Mukherjee from New Jersey, Nisha Agarwal, Commissioner, New York City Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs and New York City Council Member Paul Vallone.

The evening began with the guests singing national anthems of the two countries, and reading out excerpts of the President's Address to the Nation on the eve of the 66th Republic Day of India, by Deputy Consul General Dr. Manoj Mohapatra.

Following this, Consul General Mulay welcomed the guests to the Republic Day celebrations and highlighted the notable achievements India has made in the past year. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting USA, and President Barack Obama attending the Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi, bilateral ties between the two countries are at its peak, and this progress could be attributed to the hard work and dedication of Indians in the US. "We are reaping the fruits of the their labor," he said. Padma Shri Awardee Dr. Dattatreyudu Nori was then felicitated for his contribution to medicine. Several other dignitaries also shared their experiences working for greater Indian-American cooperation and collaboration.

The event concluded with the handing over of a check of US$ 10,000 to the Director of the Museum of the Moving Image, Christina Marouda , as part of a joint action plan with the Indian Consulate to create more synergies between the flourishing film industries in both countries.

Guests were then invited for an authentic Indian dinner and the opportunity to interact with all Consulate officials.