NEW YORK (TIP): A career diplomat, Dr Manoj Kumar Mohapatra, Deputy Consul General of India in New York, who is returning to New Delhi end of this month after serving in New York for almost three years, says whatever good job he has done here is because of the “enormous support of the Indian community”. He was speaking with Bidisha Roy, assistant Editor of The Indian Panorama in an exclusive interview which he said was his last interview to The Indian Panorama and recalled his first interview to a newspaper in New York was also with The Indian Panorama.

Dr Mohapatra , who assumed the office as DCG (Economic, Political, Consular & Women’s Affairs) on 31 July 2014. has served in a variety of positions with the Indian Foreign Service. He has served as third secretary in the Embassy of India in Berlin; at the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi as the desk officer for India’s bilateral relations with Bangladesh; and as the first secretary and counselor in the Indian diplomatic missions in Budapest, Hungary, and Dhaka, Bangladesh, where he was in charge of political and commercial relations between India and these countries.

He has successfully coordinated many historic events in New York area such as the reception to Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Madison Square Garden in September 2014, a little after he joined as DCG in New York;  International Yoga Day Celebrations in 2015 and 2016, and visits of many Chief Ministers from India which included Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Phadnavis.

Dr. Mohapatra  played a significant role in bringing together people of a State  to form a group named “Friends of” Thus, people here belonging to Madhya Pradesh formed a group called “Friends of Madhya Pradesh”. Similarly, with other States. The net result was a better coordination in extending reception to the visiting Chief Ministers by the people belonging to that State. At each of these visits, cooperation of Indian Americans with the State to which they belonged was the major issue of discussion. How people of a State could contribute to the development was an issue which remained the focus of all meetings. Reports from various States in India have suggested that, as a result of these visits by the Chief Ministers of some States and their interaction here with Indian American community which was facilitated by the Consulate here with Dr. Mohapatra leading and coordinating, great enthusiasm was evinced by investors to invest in various States. So much has been a single man’s contribution.

But this humble person gives all credit to the Indian American community.  “Community has been an asset. They have always supported us. The events like PM’s reception at Madison Square Garden could not have been so successful without their help. It was made possible because of the tremendous support we got from the community”, Dr Mohapatra  told The Indian Panorama.

Dr Mohapatra, who is credited with bringing efficiency and transparency in the functioning of the Consulate General of India, also shares the credit with the media. “I could excel because of the great help from media. The media was so helpful that in a very short period the Consulate was able to change its image. The perception of people (about Consulate) changed because of media.” He was particularly appreciative of The Indian Panorama and its editor-publisher Prof. Indrajit S Saluja who he said, was “my guruji and  guided me on many  issues”.

Dr. Mohapatra  takes pride in the success of Outreach program of the Consulate. “We conducted community outreach programs in all ten states (under the jurisdiction of NY Consulate) and I met eight governors out of ten in a short period of time. It feels good that the Consulate played an important role in strengthening bilateral relationship.” Dr. Mohapatra  believes that as a  result of contact with the State governors and administration officials there was a growing desire among almost all States to have a closer relationship with the States in India.

And finally, he is confident that the bonhomie between the consulate and the community will continue. “I would request the community to give the same love and support to the Consulate and my successor that I got from them. The Consulate is for the community and vice versa. Our relationship should touch the sky.”

Indian Americans on March 21 will host a reception at Royal Albert’s Palace in Fords, New Jersey to bid farewell to their beloved outgoing Deputy Consul General of India.

The Indian Panorama family, spread over the US and India, looks upon Dr. Manoj Kumar Mohapatra as a worthy son of India who has done his best to keep the flag of India flying high here in the US, and wishes him all success and happiness wherever he goes on his next assignment.

Also, The Indian Panorama is happy to let him carry with him the warm appreciation coming from some community representatives who, in turn, represent adequately, the Indian community in the Tri-State area of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

Dr Manoj Kumar Mohapatra, Deputy Consul General of India in New York

———
From Connecticut, Mr. Andy Bhatia, President, Federation of Indian Associations, NY/NJ/CT says in appreciation of Dr. Mohapatra:-

“Dr. Manoj Mohapatra, Dy. CG has been a true friend of the Indian American community and it has been my privilege to have known him and work with him.

He has been  tireless in his efforts to help the community and has always made himself available to us any day of the week.

He is credited  for putting  in systems in place  In bringing efficiency and transparency in the Consulate.

He is a clear thinker and knows how to structure his thoughts to get his point across.

We will miss him and wish him lots of success in his new assignment in New Delhi.”

———
One of the senior community leaders, who is credited with having founded some of the first and the oldest organizations of Indians in the US, and presently, Chairman of GOPIO International, Dr. Thomas Abraham, from Connecticut writes:

“Dr. Mohapatra has been one of the most sincere and dynamic Deputy Consul General who also served as Acting Consul General during the absence of the Consul General. He has been on the top of most of the Consulate activities and has been performing very well with the outreach and resolving issue of the Indian community. He provided leadership in sorting out many of the consular issues and has been instrumental in organizing Open House meeting with the community every week. He had expanded the outreach to American political leaders by utilizing the Indian American community contacts. Community organizations found a good friend in him to promote common goals of our community and India. We will miss him in New York and wish him all success in his new assignment.”

———
And, Dr. Navin Mehta, who has for long been associated with Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan says of Dr. Mohapatra:

“Silent worker-

“When I am silent, I fall into that place where everything is MUSIC – Rumi”

Dr, Mohapatra works silently and have observed that his work is his music. Very few people can be this dedicated and still smile.

As Chanakya says about a diplomate

“मनसा चिंतित्म कर्म, वचसा न प्रकाशयेत्”

People of Indian origin, who are living in USA on refugee status, will soon be able to travel to India with a valid travel visa. The Government of India has decided to grant visa to applicants with refugee status living in USA.

This issue was handled by Manoj Mohapatra.

Pioneer and initiator of Outreach program where consulate for the first time reached door steps of common people.

One of the most excellent organizers ,,,, be it outreach program, Visa and Passport facility or PM visiting Madison Square Garden.

We will surely miss him but wish Dr. Mohapatra the best in life and wish that he continues to serve the Nation’s cause.”

———
And here is a comment from Ranjeet Singh, Manager at CKGS who worked under the watchful eye of Dr. Mohapatra .

“DCG Dr Mohapatra has been an inspiring diplomat who has always put community interests on top of his priorities.

Working with him was an enlightening experience. He went out of his way on many occasions to streamline things and make the consular services accessible to Indian diaspora in the best possible way.

He tirelessly worked on reducing the gap between Indian-American diaspora and the Indian government represented by its mission in NY through his innovative ideas and extraordinary execution of day to day work at NY Consulate.

CKGS family joins me in wishing him a great life and an extraordinary career ahead!!!”

———
And, the last comment which proves the saying “brevity is the soul of wit” comes from Mr. Rajiv Khanna, President of India-America Chamber of Commerce: “It was a great pleasure to work with Dr. Mohapatra. He is an outstanding foreign service officer who is dedicated to furthering India’s interest”.