US Ambassador to India Richard Verma with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow. (Press Trust of India)
Lucknow:
Noting that Indians account for the second largest group of foreign students in his country, US Ambassador to India Richard Verma today said educational exchange programmes help deepen bilateral ties which will in turn have lasting effect on global peace, prosperity and security.
"I often speak about how the rise of India and the deepening relationship between our countries will have a lasting effect on global peace, prosperity and security," Dr Verma told students at Isabella Thoburn College in Lucknow.
"At the heart of our relationship is the creative and economic potential of our people, and one of the keys to unlocking this potential is in education for women and girls," he said.
The US Ambassador said he was constantly impressed and inspired by the talent and energy he saw in India's youths.
"In the words of Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi 'girls contribute to India's fame and glory. Let's recognize it. Let's take them along, shoulder to shoulder.
"When women are educated and empowered, they bring the rest of society with them," he said, adding IT College was a leader in this regard.
"Indians account for the second-largest group of foreign students in the US, with over 1,02,000 students studying in America in 2013-14. At the same time, a growing number of Americans are choosing to study in India, with over 4,000 students annually making journey to India," he said.
He said these students come to India to learn about innovation and technology, history and culture.
"These are lessons they take back with them to the US thereby enriching our educational communities," he said.
The Ambassador said educational exchange programmes like Fulbright-Nehru help people from both sides learn from and about each other, building the long-lasting cultural bridges that transcend geographic divides.
"Whether it be through the thousands who have participated in exchanges or the growing and active Indian-American community, it is our people who are at the heart of our strategic relationship. The Indian diaspora in the United States stands at over three million and growing, and includes leaders in the fields of science, education, the arts, and government," he said, while referring to naming of Sundar Pichai as Google CEO.
"In closing, let me echo the words of PM Modi, who said it is too limiting to ask what the US and India can do for each other - the real test is seeing what we can do for the world. The truth is we are stronger together, and this is particularly true when we promote educational opportunities that bridge geographic and gender divides," he said.
On his first visit to Lucknow after taking over as the ambassador this January, Verma met Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav yesterday and said an American delegation would soon meet the state officials for a detailed discussion on developing Allahabad as a smart city.
Dr Verma had also met Governor Ram Naik during his visit and expressed happiness that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's US visit and President Barack Obama trip to India have contributed to a "fresh start" in the relationship between the countries.
The diplomat said that America wants to increase economic and trade relationship with India and would also assist India in the education sector.
He said that the US was working on developing smart cities in UP and an American delegation would soon meet the state officials for a detailed discussion.
During his meeting with Chief Minister Yadav, Dr Verma expressed his willingness to strengthen and increase bilateral ties with India, especially with UP.
The ambassador said a number of US entrepreneurs were interested in investing in the UP and enquired about sectors suitable for investment.
Mr Yadav said that there were immense possibilities of investment in the state, adding, the government has implemented pro-investment policies under which a number of facilities were being provided to the entrepreneurs.
The chief minister said that US investors could participate in sectors like agriculture, agro-processing, waste management and infrastructure development.
He assured the US ambassador that the UP government would extend all support and help. Naik said people from India want to make good relationship with the US.
The Governor said that the state has immense opportunities to attract tourists and the government was implementing new schemes to promote this sector.
Mr Naik also presented Dr Verma with a picture of historical Roomi Darwaza and a book 'Birds of Raj Bhawan'.
"I often speak about how the rise of India and the deepening relationship between our countries will have a lasting effect on global peace, prosperity and security," Dr Verma told students at Isabella Thoburn College in Lucknow.
"At the heart of our relationship is the creative and economic potential of our people, and one of the keys to unlocking this potential is in education for women and girls," he said.
The US Ambassador said he was constantly impressed and inspired by the talent and energy he saw in India's youths.
"In the words of Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi 'girls contribute to India's fame and glory. Let's recognize it. Let's take them along, shoulder to shoulder.
"When women are educated and empowered, they bring the rest of society with them," he said, adding IT College was a leader in this regard.
"Indians account for the second-largest group of foreign students in the US, with over 1,02,000 students studying in America in 2013-14. At the same time, a growing number of Americans are choosing to study in India, with over 4,000 students annually making journey to India," he said.
He said these students come to India to learn about innovation and technology, history and culture.
"These are lessons they take back with them to the US thereby enriching our educational communities," he said.
The Ambassador said educational exchange programmes like Fulbright-Nehru help people from both sides learn from and about each other, building the long-lasting cultural bridges that transcend geographic divides.
"Whether it be through the thousands who have participated in exchanges or the growing and active Indian-American community, it is our people who are at the heart of our strategic relationship. The Indian diaspora in the United States stands at over three million and growing, and includes leaders in the fields of science, education, the arts, and government," he said, while referring to naming of Sundar Pichai as Google CEO.
"In closing, let me echo the words of PM Modi, who said it is too limiting to ask what the US and India can do for each other - the real test is seeing what we can do for the world. The truth is we are stronger together, and this is particularly true when we promote educational opportunities that bridge geographic and gender divides," he said.
On his first visit to Lucknow after taking over as the ambassador this January, Verma met Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav yesterday and said an American delegation would soon meet the state officials for a detailed discussion on developing Allahabad as a smart city.
Dr Verma had also met Governor Ram Naik during his visit and expressed happiness that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's US visit and President Barack Obama trip to India have contributed to a "fresh start" in the relationship between the countries.
The diplomat said that America wants to increase economic and trade relationship with India and would also assist India in the education sector.
He said that the US was working on developing smart cities in UP and an American delegation would soon meet the state officials for a detailed discussion.
During his meeting with Chief Minister Yadav, Dr Verma expressed his willingness to strengthen and increase bilateral ties with India, especially with UP.
The ambassador said a number of US entrepreneurs were interested in investing in the UP and enquired about sectors suitable for investment.
Mr Yadav said that there were immense possibilities of investment in the state, adding, the government has implemented pro-investment policies under which a number of facilities were being provided to the entrepreneurs.
The chief minister said that US investors could participate in sectors like agriculture, agro-processing, waste management and infrastructure development.
He assured the US ambassador that the UP government would extend all support and help. Naik said people from India want to make good relationship with the US.
The Governor said that the state has immense opportunities to attract tourists and the government was implementing new schemes to promote this sector.
Mr Naik also presented Dr Verma with a picture of historical Roomi Darwaza and a book 'Birds of Raj Bhawan'.
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