Showering praises on Indian-American physicians amid the Covid-19 pandemic, India’s envoy to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu said that the community are the real heroes as they are currently playing a leading role in the country’s fight against the deadly virus.
In his 39th annual convention by the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) in Atlanta, Ambassador Sandhu said that “we are proud of the achievements of the 4-million Indians in the United States”.
Taranjit Singh Sandhu, an Indian diplomat and the current ambassador to the United States, previously served as High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka. He joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1988.
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Sandhu opened the Indian embassy in Ukraine. He also worked there as head of the political and administration wings. He was the first secretary in Washington.
Sandhu worked as consul general in Frankfurt and Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of India in Washington D.C. and Consul General of India in Frankfurt, other than serving in different capacities at the Ministry of External Affairs, India.
“You (Indian-American physicians) are the real heroes who have risked your lives and have been out to assist others,” he was quoted as saying.
Sandhu claimed that AAPI is interesting as it brings a global perspective to defeat the virus and serve the people.
Dr Swati Vijay Kulkarni, Consul General of India in Atlanta, described the Indian-American physician community in her inaugural address as a “testament to Indian-Americans’ greatest growth story”. Kulkarni spoke about the many plans and programmes that the Government of India has come up with in order to alleviate the sufferings of people in India amid the Coronavirus pandemic.
Stressing the importance of the Indo-US Strategic Alliance in the health sector, Kulkarni talked about how India contributed quality drugs for lower prices to the world.
Thousands of healthcare workers and AAPI warriors, who risked and laid down their lives to save others amid the pandemic, were honoured by the convention.
“This convention is a tribute to those who have lost their lives and to the frontline medical professionals who are at the forefront, combating the pandemic around the globe,” said Dr Sudhakar Jonnalagadda, AAPI president.
Indian-American physicians from around the country were present at the convention, which was also addressed by several lawmakers, including congressman Buddy Carter and congresswoman Carolyn Bourdeaux.
