NEW YORK (TIP): Mr. Shatrughna Sinha, the Deputy Consul General at the Indian Consulate General in New York who is moving over to New Delhi to take up a new assignment at the Ministry of External Affairs, was given a farewell dinner here on Thursday, August 26. The dinner hosted by Prof. Indrajit Saluja, publisher and editor of The Indian Panorama was attended by leaders of the Indian American community, officials of the government of India undertakings, elected officials and the mediapersons.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sinha expressed his appreciation of the Indian American community which, he said, had given him abundant cooperation and made his task of discharging his duties easier and pleasant. Mr. Sinha related with a touch of feeling how the Indian Americans community came forward to help out their brethren in the difficult period of Covid-19. The amount of donations in terms of equipment and otherwise is historic, he added. He said he was overwhelmed by the love the community gave him during his tenure and now that he was leaving. He wished the gathering all happiness and prosperity.

Earlier, Prof. Saluja extended a warm welcome to Mr. Sinha who was accompanied by his wife and their two children – a daughter and a son. In his brief remarks, Prof. Saluja described Mr. Sinha as the most upright officer he had come across at the Consulate during the last 20 years. Prof. Saluja appreciated Mr. Sinha for being helpful to all for which, he said, the Indian American community would always remember him. The very fact that so many people from so many walks of life had come to the farewell dinner to him is a testimony of how much love and respect he has earned with his work and his friendly disposition.

Mr. Ravi Batra, an eminent attorney and Chair National   Advisory Council of South Asian Affairs, who has known every senior official at the consulate for decades praised Mr. Sinha for his dedicated services to the community. He said the consulate had to work under very pressing circumstances created by the pandemic which required much help to Indian American community as well as to people in India. The selfless and dedicated services of Mr. Sinha will always be remembered, he said.

Mr. Prem Bhandari, Chairman, Jaipur Foot USA said that Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, envisioned an India where the Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary would evolve as public servantsof the citizens of the country in every sense of the word. Mr. Bhandari said Mr. Sinha proved himself to be the one that Dr, Prasad spoke of,and expressed gratification in collaborating with Mr. Sinha, especially during the Vande Bharat Mission, and wished him a bright future ahead.

New York State Senator John Liu and New York State Assemblyman David Weprin who presented a Citation to Mr. Sinha also had word of praise for Mr. Sinha.

Many community leaders, and there were many representing dozens of organizations, spoke appreciatively of Mr. Sinha and wished him well. They included Leela Maret, President FOKANA, Mr. Harish Thakkar, President of AIA, Beena Kothari, President of GOPIO, New York, Indu Jaiswal, President AIF, Mr. Somnath Ghimire, President of Nepalese Association, Master Mohinder Singh, Founder President of Gurdwara Baba Makhan Shah Lobana, Mr. Harpreet Singh Toor, Former Chairman of Gurdwara Sikh Cultural Society, and Paramjit S Bedi, a leader of Afghan Sikhs. Mr. Tirlok Malik. Emmy nominated Film maker, Mr. Sudhir Vaishnav, Executive Director of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Sunil Hali, a senior journalist and Yoshita Singh, PTI special correspondent at the United Nations also addressed the gathering.

Citations were presented to Mr. Sinha on behalf of Congressman Tom Suozzi and Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar while Assemblyman David Weprin was himself around to present the citation.

Padma Bhushan Sant Chatwal, Padma Shri Dr. Dattatreyudu Nori and Dr. VK Raju sent their greetings and good wishes to Mr. Sinha.

Several organizations presented souvenirs and plaques to Mr. Sinha which included GOPIO, New York, FOKANA, Global Indian Trade and Cultural Council, Afghan Sikh Association, The Indian Panorama, among others

Souvenirs were presented by Mr. Ravi Batra, Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Mr. Somnath Ghimire, and some others.

The gathering which received Prof. Saluja’s immense gratitude for their presence, wished the Sinha family all happiness and hoped Mr. Sinha will come back to the U.S. soon on a new assignment, and give us again the pleasure of his sweet company.

Mr. Jarnail Singh, the owner of the Richi Rich Palace, the venue of the dinner, received much appreciation for the warm hospitality and the delicious food.