NEW  YORK: IndianDiaspora’s contributions are vital to improve the bilateral ties between Indiaand the U.S and to take it to greater heights, said Oscar Fernandes, MP andGeneral Secretary of All India Congress Committee.

 The senior Congress Party leader and the former UnionMinister was addressing the Indian-American community after inaugurating thereorganized executive committee of the Indian National Overseas Congress (I)headed by George Abraham at Hotel World Fair Marina in Queens July 25.

 Fernandes said the UPA-II Government headed by Dr. ManmohanSingh has brought in revolutionary measures to ensure Indiamarched forward. The enactment of right to education as a law that makes schooleducation compulsory for every kid born in Indiais sure to remove illiteracy and poverty from the face of the nation besidesabolishing child labor totally.

 Also, the new legislation to provide 100 days of assured jobto economically weaker sections of the society has been hailed a veryprogressive policy that is bound to bring in prosperity and peace in thefamily. Over 50 million people have so far registered and are benefiting fromthe program, he said.

 The Right to Information Act (RTA) boldly introduced by theCongress-led federal government has helped expose corruption and the wrongdoerswere punished, however high and might they may have been. Under the foodsecurity program, the poor could buy the same quality rice sold in the marketfor Rs 30 a kilogram at a very nominal price of Rs 3 a kilogram.

 The young and dynamic leader Rahul Gandhi who is ready totake over more responsibilities has several progressive schemes up his sleevesto take the nation to the next century like his father late Rajiv Gandhi whopaved way for globalization and modernization.

  Praising the new team under the leadership of GeorgeAbraham, the senior Congress leader said he was happy that the team is movingin the right direction by preparing the draft Constitution of the organization,financial plans and transparency statements and aggressive membership drive.

 George Abraham, President of INOC(I) in his address reiterated his commitment to make the organization dynamic,more transparent, people friendly with a solid constitution as a framework. Hesaid INOC (I) as a public organization willbe professionally managed and run.

 He presented the draft constitution to the chief guest ofthe evening. Fernandes is also Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committeeon HRD and President of Forum of Parliamentarians on HIV-AIDS and was presentwith his wife Ms. Blossom after visiting the AIDS global meet in Washington.

 Shudh Parkash Singh, Senior Vice President welcomed thegathering. Rajesh Lilothia, MLA of Government of Delhi and president of RajivGandhi Sports Foundation; Dr. Sudhir Parikh, chairman of Parikh WorldwideMedia; INOC (I) Executive Committee Members MohinderSingh Gilzian and Phuman Singh, National Treasurer Kanwal S. Sra, President ofHaryana Chapter Swaran Singh; President of Tamil Nadu chapter John Joseph,President of Kerala Chapter Kalathil Varughese and Harbachan Singh, Chair ofConstitution Sub Committee and Budh Singh, Chair of Foreign Affairs andInvestments/ NRI Cell of Haryana PradeshCongress Committee spoke.

 Chair of Public Relations Committee Prasad Kambhampatyproposed a vote of thanks. Malini Shah, chairperson of INOC(I) Diamond Council was the emcee of the evening.The Indian American Community was represented in largenumbers and was drawn from every walk of life from academics to business,medical to law.

 Mohinder S. Taneja, community leader from the Town ofHempstead;  President of NationalFederation of Indian Association Lal Motwani; Global Organization of People of Indian Origin’s Long Island PresidentDarshan Bagga; Federation of Indian Association’s Vice Chairman Yash Pal Soi;former FIA President Sudhir Vaishnav; IndiaAssociation of Long Island (IALI) President Dr. Sukhvinder Ranu, Secretary ofIALI Rekha Valliappan, Indian American Forum’s Co-Chair Gobind Munjal and AmericanAssociation of Physicians of Indian Origin of Queens and Long Island’sPresident Dr. Sunil Mehra,  Co-foundersof INOC Zach Thomas. R Jayachandran andStanley Kalathara, Former AAPI President Dr. Dayan Nayak, were among attendedthe gala reception and dinner.