December 5, 2011, Washington DC: The inauguration ceremony of the three-day Indo-US Education Conclave 2011 got off to a breezy, well-managed start at the Westin Hotel, Pune, India today. The traditional lamp lighting ceremony was done by the able hands of Mr. K. Sankaranarayanan, Governor of Maharashtra, with Dr. D.Y. Patil, Mr. Vilasrao Deshmukh, Mr. F.H.Faleomavaega, Mr. Michael Pelletier, Mr.Sanjay Puri, Mr. Stephen Lakis and Dr. P. D. Patil present on the dais. Alliance for US India Business (AUSIB), Dr. D.Y.Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune and State Legislative Leaders Foundation (SLLF) are the event organizers. 

Mr. Vilasrao Deshmukh, Minister of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Government of India, said that he expected the delegates to deliberate on education policies and reforms and build strong relations between universities. He was hopeful that the meetings to be held subsequently would lead to solutions.

Mr. Stephen Lakis, President and CEO of State Legislative Leaders Foundation (SLLF), spoke about India and the influence of Mahatma Gandhi. He concluded his address by saying, “This will the beginning of a long and fruitful dialogue between our organizations.” Michael Pelletier, Minister-Counselor for Public Affairs & Public Diplomacy, also expressed the hope that many partnerships will be forged in the coming days.

Sanjay Puri, Founder, Alliance for US India Business (AUSIB), providing an overview of the event,  pointed out the uniqueness of the conclave, that policy makers, educational representatives, leaders and university officials were part of it. “We are excited to be part of the new wave of education in Pune.” He stressed on the need for flow of students from the US to India, apart from Indian students going to the US. He was positive about the important part that the conclave would play in strengthing Indo-US ties.

Dr. D.Y. Patil, Governor of Tripura focused on why we need to take concentrated efforts to take education to the remotest corners of India. He also spoke about equal opportunities to be provided to all sections of the society.

K. Sankaranarayanan expected the Indo-US education collaboration to grow and hoped the partnership in education is a logical step forward, and he welcomed it wholeheartedly. He then declared the event open.  Dr.. P.D.Patil, Chancellor, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune provided an introduction to the speakers and the event. This was followed by a ceremonial dinner. F.H. Faleomavaega, Member of Congress, U.S. House of Representative, was also present at the function.

The conference inauguration and the awards function shall be held tommorow, the second day of the conclave. Sharad Pawar, Union Minister for Agriculture & Food Processing Industries, Government of India will felicitate the awardees and kickstart the seminars and round-table sessions.