Rousing welcome for Ambassador Nirupama Rao in Washington

India's new Ambassador to the United States Nirupama Rao was on Sunday accorded a rousing welcome by the Indian American community in Washington.

Touched by the welcoming remarks and the kudos showered on her by community leaders at the Julia Bindeman Suburban Centre in Potomac, Maryland, Rao said, "It is good to be back. The warmth of your welcome truly touches my heart. I feel I am not far from home."

She recalled that "sixteen years ago, in October 1995, when I left Washington DC(after serving as minister, press), the world was a different place -- India still seemed at that time many, many, miles away. That is not the case, any more. Every little town in the United States, has an Indian American family or, an India connection.  There is much more interest in India; our relationship with the US has become a full-fledged partnership that has caught the attention of the world."

In his welcoming remarks, Dr Sambhu Banik, the chief coordinator of the event, said: "During the 41 years of my association in the Indian American community of Washington, DC, and my association with the Indian ambassadors for the last 40 years, there has never been this kind of interest and enthusiasm to welcome an ambassador of India to the US as what's happening this evening."

Turning to Rao, he said, "This is testimony for how much they admire you, love you and respect you."

The technologically-savvy Rao in her speech -- which she delivered using an I-Pad, a technology no senior Indian official has ever used before while speaking in the United States -- spoke of how she "has kept in touch with this country over the years".

"You came here in search of your American dream, and you have found it on the soil of this country. The fact that you were equipped with the solid skills imparted to you by your Indian birth and up-bringing, was of particular significance, indeed of critical importance," she said.

Rao noted that "in many ways, you are what you are because of the wellsprings of Indian culture and resilience that you possess, as well as the spirit of innovation, ingenuity and enterprise that America symbolises. You have contributed and played a significant role in crafting the India-United States partnership, this strategic partnership between two of the world's leading democracies, this defining relationship that has the capability to impact the destiny of the 21st century."

She said, "I recall particularly, your role in the successful realisation of the Indo-US Civil Nuclear Agreement, and the zeal and enthusiasm and unstinted support you provided to the passage of the deal in the US Congress. In the true sense, you hewed wood and drew water, and the results are there for all of us to see."

"Your accomplishments and achievements as a community have caught the imagination of this country, and indeed of the world. This is because of the reputation you have established for discipline, diligence and the determination to succeed, qualities that are worthy of emulation, while at the same time never casting off your cultural moorings in India, and your love for what India has stood for," she said, and added: "So, the Indian American amalgamates the Old and New Worlds in one, a very worthy and compelling blend that makes us proud."

"It has been aptly said that we have just explored the edges of the potential that exists in the India-US partnership. The best is yet to be. And, this partnership should encapsulate within itself, another partnership, that between India and the Indian-American community, to fashion and craft an even bigger and better relationship between our two countries."

Rao said that "India today, stands on the cusp of great change. It is growing fast, it is a front-ranking world economy; its democratic traditions are strong and enduring, and its management of diversity, its pluralism, its respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, make it a truly standout country."