The University of Central Florida announced a new academic programme on India to broaden awareness and understanding about the emerging world power.
Supported by The Anil and Chitra Deshpande India Programme Endowed Fund, the program will sponsor public discussions involving prominent speakers, panels and other meetings; encourage scholarship and research; and work with partners worldwide to achieve its goal. The program will cover India in terms of politics, technology, communication, culture and religion.
"I think Indians in general, who came here a long time back, may be in the 1970s or 1980s, feel the need to contribute after taking care of their families and businesses or whatever professions they may be. And that is why I chose to make this contribution. It's not me alone. It is a nationwide phenomenon," Anil Deshpande told India Abroad in a telephone interview.
Deshpande, who came over from Mumbai in 1971, is a prominent businessman in the Central Florida housing industry. The holder of a construction management degree from the University of Florida became active in a wide range of commercial and industrial projects, including hospitals, hotels, office buildings and industrial plants.
He served as a project manager for the Orlando International Airport. In 1984, Deshpande co-founded Park Square Homes, a residential building and land development company, eventually growing it to be the 69th largest home builder in the United States with sales of over 1200 homes in 2004 alone.
According to news reports, the company completed the construction of the homes in 2004 with total revenue of $260 million. He and his wife Chitra have supported UCF programs related to India and other international initiatives during the past several years. They were eager to help the university enhance its connections with India.
The initial contribution to the endowed fund is $100,000 and, with anticipated state matching money, will increase to $150,000. Others who are interested in the program may make contributions to the fund by gift or bequest.
The Deshpandes and UCF envision the programme as a world-class resource center that will benefit UCF and the Central Florida community. Noting that the United States is the superpower, and India is an emerging power,
The programme will be part of the Department of Political Science in the College of Sciences. John C Bersia, special assistant to the president for Global Perspectives, and Roger Handberg, chair of the Department of Political Science, will serve as interim co-directors.
Asked how the programme was going to different from similar such initiatives at other US universities, Deshpande said "What we will be doing is study what other universities have been doing and thus avoid the duplication of work. This initiative is not just for this university but for others in Florida."
Asked why he chose to make the donation to the University of Central Florida and not to the University of Florida, his alma mater, Deshpande pointed out that he has been living in Orlando for a long time.
"I have been living here and am involved with the university in many ways. They have very active international programmes and have lot of enthusiasm for this program," he said.
Bersia, who shepherded the effort to secure the endowed fund, noted that in the evolving 21st-century world, it is clear that India will be one of the most prominent players. 'Through The India Programme, UCF will establish a leadership position in conversations about this emerging power,' he said in a statement.
Handberg said the new programme provides an important expansion of the study of one of the world's most important nations, adding that 'there can be no serious global discussion without considering India.'
Peter Panousis, dean of the College of Sciences, underscored India's growing role in global economics. 'Unfortunately, we often fail to grasp the underlying understanding of the political, economic and cultural issues that have led to India's dramatic growth in world influence,' he said.
'This endowment will help UCF create a program that is designed to better understand these issues and provide a foundation for mutually advantageous partnerships.'
According to the university, the program will provide the base for other opportunities related to India on campus.
Deshpande said his wife was as enthusiastic as he was to help launch the programmes.
"Without her encouragement and active interest this could not have been done."
