(Above): Consul General of India, San Francisco, Ambassador Sanjay Panda (l) and Ambassador G. Parthasarathy at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebrations, Jan. 12, at the India Community Center, in Milpitas, Calif. (All photos: Amar D. Gupta/Siliconeer)

The Consulate General of India, San Francisco organized Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebrations, Jan. 12, in a befitting manner at the India Community Center, in Milpitas, Calif. More than 350 Pravasi Bharatiyas attended the program.

Consul General Ambassador Sanjay Panda briefed the audience about India’s endeavors to engage more proactively with the Indian Diaspora and also apprised them of various initiatives relating to consular services, especially those related to the Sikh community (passport, miscellaneous services and visas to asylees, etc). The Consulate also organized an interactive session with Ambassador G. Parthasarathy, former Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan, who was visiting San Francisco. Both Consul General Ambassador Panda and Ambassador Parthasarathy responded to the community’s questions on a range of issues, including abrogation of special provisions for Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 and Citizenship Amendment Act.

The event also had cultural performances by local youth and talent.