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Working on enhancing support for Indian students in the US: New York CG Binaya Pradhan
Indian diplomat Pradhan and VFS Global’s Amit Sharma share their priorities and how their initiatives will help the Indian community in America.
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he panel discussion was a part of New India Abroad's new 'Travel and Diplomacy' series. / Screengrab/New India Abroad
In the wake of several concerning incidents around Indian students in the US, Consul General of India in New York, Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, said the consulate office was focusing on being available to any Indian citizen who was in need, followed by trying to develop a better connect with Indian students in the state.
"Our visa services are quite smooth and user-friendly. Ninety percent of visas issued are now electronic. The Indian community finds the consulate and VFS responsive. But we are focusing on four priorities now. First is availability to every Indian citizen, second is better connect with Indian students, third is to increase the number of OCI cards and lastly, of course, improving the ease of services," Pradhan told New India Abroad during a panel discussion that also featured VFS Global's America head Amit Kumar Sharma.
Pradhan recently announced a new initiative, the 365-day accessibility to the Consulate General of India in New York for emergency services in a move to ensure continued support and availability. The embassy will be open for emergency services at specified times on all days including weekends and national holidays.
In a separate and equally important announcement, the Consul General announced speedier processing of the Tatkal passport. “At the moment if you are asking for an appointment under the TATKAL passport provision, you might get an appointment in three to five days. VFS Global has agreed to increase its resources, dedicate more people, and increase the number of slots. So, applicants can get an appointment for a TATKAL passport on the same day,” said Pradhan.
On issues faced by Indian students, Pradhan said that the consulate was using Indian-origin influencers to reach out to students, meeting Indian student associations to understand their concerns and demands, and that a portal had been created to offer internships to Indian students in American companies.
“We recently came across a case where an Indian student was repatriated back from the airport because in his browsing history, he was found searching for jobs. The visa status doesn’t allow him to go for employment in the first year of education. This is the new legal system the students are entering in," Pradhan added, while emphasizing towards sensitizing students on the Do's and Don'ts applicable in the US.
Another priority is to increase the number of OCI cards, Pradhan assured. "We want to issue OCIs in the community so that they can remain better connected with their motherland. We encourage the Indian origin people here to have an OCI card.”
Ease-of-services, data-and-information security critical for VFS Global: Amit Sharma
On the Indian-conceptualized and internationally-launched company VFS Global, which manages visa and passport issuance-related administrative and non-discretionary tasks for its various governments across the world, Amit Sharma said their aim is to help the consulate in improving the ease of services.
“Over the years, we have worked with the Embassy and the consulate of India in the United States to conduct various consular camps. In 2021, we did about 20 consular camps across the US. In 2022 and 2023, we did more than 30 consular camps. And in 2024 till date, we have done 20 consular camps,” said Sharma at New India Abroad's inaugural 'Travel and Diplomacy' discussion event.
“Consular camps are well planned, coordinated and announced in advance. They are usually done over the weekends. So, people don’t have to take a day off. Consular camps are a success and it is one of the critical methods for us to engage with the Indian diaspora,” he added.
“VFS doesn’t retain any data of applicants. Data and information security is very critical to us,” the American head of the company explained.
VFS Global was conceptualized and launched in Mumbai in 2001.
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Comments
Sam Patel
2024-05-16 00:00:00
Nations of the world need the Indian students for the revenue they bring to the colleges and the communities; A $40,000 plus on an average including fees and living expenses. And then a pool of workers and also emissaries that return and carry the culture and influence back home. Just look at our Supreme Court judges and Senior politicians talking like they are in the USA and invoking the words and behaviors of US and not local. India has enough good educational institutions that provide the educated workers it needs. Sure, it will give India some foreign currency returns but at the end of the day, these foreign deposits will leave as most will become residents and citizens of the western countries and eventually sell all their assets in India and transfer the money to their new homes. The CG is obligated to work for Indian students. That is just how democratic diplomacy works and also improve upon the soft power. of India.