SOUTHBOROUGH, MA (TIP): A heartfelt farewell ceremony was held to honor Dr. Varun Jeph, India’s Deputy Consul General (DCG) in New York Consulate, for his exceptional service over the last four years, at the home of Mohan and Shyama Nannapaneni in Southborough, Massachusetts. The special ceremony was organized by the Foundation of Indian Americans – New England (FIA-NE) and Team Aid. Leaders of nearly 25 organizations of the Indian American community in New England joined to express gratitude for Dr. Jeph’s selfless service over the last four years, which included the period of Covid pandemic – one of the most challenging times in recent history.

Dr. Varun Jeph’s tenure as DCG of India in New York Consulate was marked by several noteworthy accomplishments by the New York Consulate, such as the safe return of Indian nationals during the Covid pandemic; support for organization of consular camps in all states under the jurisdiction of the New York Consulate; beginning of International India Day Parade in Boston Harbor, at the location of the Boston Tea Party, which ties the American Revolution with India’s Independence Movement; and the announcement by India’s honorable Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi about opening of a new consulate of India in Boston to serve the New England region.

Among the distinguished community leaders who joined the farewell reception for Dr. Varun Jeph were New Hampshire State Representative Santosh Salvi, VHPA President Kaushik Patel, Sandeep Asija ( FIA-BOT) IAGB President Tanu Phenix, TAGB President Anil Potluri, IAB President Deepa Agarwal, past President of UIA-NE Neela Gandhi, past Presidents of Gurudwara Committee Sarpreet Singh and Malkit Singh, Ekal Vidyalaya Executive Director Manisha Jain, Ekal Vidyalaya New England Chapter Presidents Virendra and Nisha Baba, Ayoti Foundation President Sunaina and Kamal Chauhan, Romy Selhi( Apna Bazar),Adopt-a-Village President Dr. Saraswati, Rahat Foundation founder Sonali Doshi, Meena Bharat and Dr. Amitabha Lala from the Bengali Association. Other prominent community members including Shova Sharma, Meena Baharat and Poppy Chappyiyan were also in attendance.

For the organizers of this farewell ceremony, Team Aid was represented by Mohan Nannapaneni, Srinivas Gondi, Shankar Magapu, Anil Potluri, Krishna Majeti and Srinivas Batchu; and FIA-NE was represented by Abhishek Singh, Sanjay Gokhale, Jyoti Singh, Rakesh Kavsari and Anand Sharma, Santosh Thawani, Shova Sharma, Mohan Sonti.

All the community leaders expressed their gratitude for Dr. Jeph’s dedicated service and wished him the best that life has to offer. Many expressed their desire to see Dr. Jeph return as the Consul General at the Boston Consulate of India. The audience was moved by heartfelt tributes from various community leaders who expressed their deep appreciation for Dr. Jeph’s dedication, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to the welfare of the Indian American community.

FIA-NE President Abhishek Singh praised Dr. Jeph’s leadership, highlighting his efforts in assisting Indian nationals, including college and university students in New England, who were stranded in the U.S. during the COVID pandemic. He also acknowledged Dr. Jeph’s support in establishing a new consulate in Boston to serve the New England region, as well as his role in the Air India direct flight initiative. Additionally, Abhishek praised Dr. Jeph for his support in organizing the historic International India Day Parade at Boston Harbor.

Team Aid President Mohan Nannapaneni, who hosted the event, spoke warmly of Dr. Jeph’s dedication and support for ongoing cooperation between Team Aid and the Indian Consulate in New York.

Dr. Jeph remembered his first introductory Zoom call with the Indian American community leaders in New England during the peak of Covid pandemic, and India Day Parade in historic Boston Harbor, both of which were organized by FIA-NE. He also talked about his regular interactions with Team Aid and other Indian organizations in New England and said that Boston will always have a special place in his heart. Dr. Jeph also said that Boston quickly became one of the top cities for the new consulate of India, when the opportunity arose, and the consulate will be operational in Boston within the next few months. He thanked the Indian community leaders for their friendship and cooperation and appreciated guidance from senior diplomats in New York Consulate of India, including Shatrughna Sinha, Randhir Jaiswal and Binaya Pradhan.

Dr. Neela Gandhi, a respected community leader and former President of UIA-NE emceed the ceremony. The farewell ceremony was not only a celebration of Dr. Jeph’s legacy but also a reminder of the power of unity and service in times of adversity.

Team Aid and FIA-New England jointly thanked all the guests who joined to appreciate Dr. Jeph’s commendable contributions to the community. As Dr. Jeph prepares for the next chapter in his life, his legacy in the Indian American community of New England remains strong. Everyone acknowledged that Dr. Jeph’s tenure made a significant positive impact. The farewell ceremony was a fitting tribute to a talented, dedicated and professional diplomat, who became a family member of the Indian American community.

(Press release issued by Abhishek Singh)