The Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) announced the successful conclusion of its Summer Cohort Internship Program for Indian American high schoolers. The program, spanning 12 weeks from mid-June to the end of August, provided students an exceptional opportunity for enriching leadership skills in civic and community engagement.
The closing ceremony was graced by the presence of Chief Guest Chandru Acharya from Michigan and FIIDS President Khanderao Kand. Speaking at the event, Acharya emphasised that it was important for Indian Americans to be active in advocacy, civic engagement, and public policy if they wanted to create a difference. Meanwhile, Kand highlighted the impact of policies on society in general and Indian Americans in some cases.
Pranjali Dani, who coordinated the entire internship programme, said that it provided students with exposure to a wide array of researchers, scholars, professors, and community leaders, fostering a platform for skills and leadership development.” Prasad Koranne,Another coordinator for the programme, mentioned that they covered topics like functions of think tank, experience from advocacy, Insight into State and Federal Agencies, the US political system, the US-India relations and immigration issues.
The participants from the program also shared very positive experiences. One of the participants, Radha Bhaskarwar,expressed her delight in the learning experience, which included gaining insights from various experts and honing video editing skills. Rajvi Mandaliya shared her experience of acquiring valuable skills such as public speaking and her overall enjoyment of the program. Vedanti had a transformative experience, citing a shift in her perspective towards policy-making and socio-political issues.
Samir Rawal, a mentor, described the program as a fantastic experience, commending FIIDS for its creative and positive impact on participants. Another mentor, Deepa Band, appreciated the importance of US-India relations and expressed her commitment to spreading awareness about FIIDS and nurturing leadership in the next generation.
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