NEW YORK (TIP): India’s Ambassador to Indonesia Sandeep Chakravorty received a warm welcome on a private visit with his wife Dr. Taruna Chakravorty to New York from May 12 to May 16. Ambassador Chakravorty was the Consul General of India in New York from August 2017 to June 2020.
Ambassador Chakravorty and his wife Dr. Taruna Chakravorty , with their affable manners, won the admiration, respect and love of all sections of the Indian American community as well as they were popular with a cross section of mainstream American society which included academicians, artists, businessmen and politicians.
A member of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) since 1996, Ambassador Chakravorty has served in India’s Missions in Spain, Colombia, Bangladesh and Peru. Prior to assuming charge as Consul General of India in New York in August, 2017, he was the Ambassador of India to Peru and Bolivia. Earlier he had been India’s Deputy Chief of Mission in Bangladesh.
In India’s Ministry of External Affairs, he has held several positions including Press Relations Officer, Staff Officer to Minister of State and worked on desks dealing with Central Asia, East Asia and China.
During his brief visit to New York, he was flooded with requests from organizations and individuals for according a reception to him. However, not being able to afford time for so many requests, he agreed to 2 receptions. Attorney Ravi Batra and his wife Ranju Batra, the graceful lady who is better known today as one who got the Diwali stamp issued by the USPS , and later instituted an award for diplomats “The Power of One Award”, hosted a reception for Ambassador Chakravorty and Dr. Taruna Chakravorty on May 14 . The attendees included only the people close to Batras.
Another reception accorded to the Chakravortys was hosted by Prem Bhandari and his wife Dr. Rekha Bhandari on May 15 which was attended by the leading lights of the top social organizations and eminent Indian Americans.
Welcoming the couple, Prem Bhandari spoke about the difficult times of political developments in India and the onslaught of COVID during which Ambassador Chakravorty had to work and praised his leadership. He also referred to Ambassador Chakravorty’s readiness to help out the community and his outreach initiatives.
Ambassador Chakravorty appreciated the Indian American community leaders present for their cooperation in integrating the community, creating better understanding and cementing relationship between India and the US. He extended an invitation to the gathering to visit Indonesia which has historical linkages with India.
L to R: Dr. Rekha Bhandari, Dr. Taruna Chakravorty, Ambassador Sandeep Chakravorty
Standing – L to R: Alok Kumar, Prem Bhandari , Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, Consul General of India in New York