INDIANAPOLIS, MARCH 29 : The India Day and visit of the Indian Ambassador to Indy got prominently mentioned in the Indianapolis Sister Cities International 2012 Annual Report .
Under the chapter Enhancing Indy’s Cultural Landscape Showing Sister City Cultures, the India Day which was celebrated on August 11, 2012 has been highlighted. The third annual India Day included a parade, dance and music performances, Indian cuisine and merchants. New in 2012 were cricket overs and a fashion show at the Monument Circle, Indianapolis.
The India Day was a joint collaboration with Indianapolis-Hyderabad Sister City Committee, the India Association of Indiana and the Mayor’s Office of International and Cultural Affair.
The Hangzhou Sister City Committee participated in the 6th annual Chinese Festival on September 8. Stephanie Lessle, of the Piran, Slovenis Sister City Committee and her aunt prepared Potica (poh-teet-sah) for committee gathering.
Under the table contends – Diplomatic Visits Strengthen Partnerships, visit of the Indian Ambassador to Indy on April 12, has been included in the Annual Report. The Indianapolis-Hyderabad Sister City Committee (HSCC) hosted a dinner reception to hour Indian Ambassador to the United States, Ms. Nirupama Rao. Many dignitaries, including federal, state and local elected officials attended. Ambassador Nirupama’s speech addressed many social and economic topics.
The Indianapolis-Hyderabad Sister City Committee (IHSCC) hosts Desi Happy Hour at Delhi Palace on second Wednesday from 5.30 to 8 p.m. The IHSCC chairman Raju Chinthala got recognition from Mayor Ballard. He along with Hong Hu, Lijun Zheng, Aaroon Goetz, Ernie Wu and Wei Zhou were appreciated for Excellence in Service. Mayor Ballard recognized committees and individuals in three categories – Excellence in Operation (1st place: Hanghou and 2 Monza), Excellence in Programming (Ist place Taipei, 2nd Hangzhou, 3rd Colonge).
Hangzhou Foreign Affairs Deputy Director Chongming Xie led a delegation to Indy on June 26.
Mayor Ballard led Trade and Investment trips to England and Germany in June. He also spearheaded a delegation to China and Taiwan in August.
Mr Gregory A Ballard, Mayor, City of Indianapolis in a letter in the Annual Report has appreciated the results to date and future opportunities of the growing Sister Cities initiative.
“These partnerships are a key initiative in our international growth strategy, as they provide strong cultural, educational and economic connections with important parts of the world,” wrote Mr Ballard.
“ In today’s world economy, it is more crucial than ever for Indianapolis to be globally recognized as a great place to live, work and raise a family. Moreover, we must be welcoming and inclusive to all who make Indianapolis their home…… Indianapolis is a global city. We welcome the world,” said in his letter.
Jane Gehlhausen, Director, International and Culture Affairs, City of Indianpolis has also expressed happiness with accomplishments by Indianapolis Sister Cities (ISC) in 2012.
“An inaugural Sister Cities Fest was hosted. The ISC, a member of Sister Cities International (SCI),with headquarter in Washington DC, provided this event free to the public through the sponsors, with over 4,000 in attendance. We accomplished 30 initiatives in our primary areas of focus—culture, education, municipal relations and sporting economic development,” wrote Jane Gehlhausen.
Today, SCI strengthens partnerships between the US and international communities in over 2500 communities in 135 countries.