The Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 4 hosted the annual reception for interns of the Indian American Center for Political Awareness’ (IACPA) Washington Leadership Program (WLP). From left, Vikram Mishri, Consul for Political Affairs at the embassy, IACPA Chairman Gopal Raju and WLP intern Hermon Raju.

Washington : The annual reception for the interns of the Indian American Center for Political Awareness’ (IACPA) Washington Leadership Program (WLP) interns was hosted at the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 4 by Charge’d Affaires Rakesh Sood.

All the 15 of this year’s interns, some of them dressed in traditional Indian costumes, were present at the Indian Embassy reception.

The Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 4 hosted the annual reception for interns of the Indian American Center for Political Awareness’ (IACPA) Washington Leadership Program (WLP). WLP interns Sumon Dantiki, left, and Jimmy Soni discuss U.S.-India relations with Mishri.

Six of the interns, three men and three women –– Chirag Shah, Jimmy Soni, Sumon Dantiki, Anindita Pal, Ketaki Gokhale and Krystle Kaul –– were scheduled to leave for New Delhi on Aug. to get a first hand knowledge of how the political system works in India and meet with ministers, parliamentarians, policy makers, think tanks and business leaders.

During a lively question-and-answer session that preceded the reception, the interns had a free exchange of views with Sood, who responded to their questions in a forthright manner.

The Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 4 hosted the annual reception for interns of the Indian American Center for Political Awareness’ (IACPA) Washington Leadership Program (WLP). Raju with Charge’d Affaires Rakesh Sood. (Photos: Christopher Dumm)

The interns’ questions pertained to issues concerning to the Indian-American community –– particularly India-U.S. bilateral relations, the Indian and the American economy, immigration, outsourcing, legislative measures, hate crimes, and the India Caucus.

Earlier Sood gave a overview of the growing India-U.S. relations, India’s economic reforms and the role played by Indian-American community in fostering relations. He paid a special tribute to Gopal Raju, publisher and founder of IACPA, for his achievements.

The reception was attended by several Indian Embassy officials, including Minister for Political Affairs Ashok Sajjanhar, Consul for Political Affairs, Vikram Mishri, Minister for Community Affairs, Anil Gupta, Consul for Press and Information Gautam Bambawale, Consul for Commerce Venkat Rao and Consul and Principal Secretary to the Indian Ambassador T.S. Tirumurthi. The evening ended with a grand Indian buffet.

The IACPA is a national, professionally staffed organization dedicated to serving the Indian American community in the United States. Its mission is to increase political awareness in the Indian American community and encourage participation by the Indian American community in the American democracy.