The Indian American community of the tri-state area gathered on the evening of March 20 to bid farewell to Dr. Varun Jeph, Deputy Consul General of India in New York, as he concluded his diplomatic tenure. The farewell reception, held at the Moghul Ballroom in Edison, New Jersey, saw the participation of over 200 members of the Indian American community.
Honoring Dr. Jeph’s Contributions
The evening’s program began with a viewing of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s podcast interview with Lex Fridman, which continued even after Dr. Jeph’s arrival.
During the formal farewell ceremony, speakers highlighted Dr. Jeph’s achievements and milestones, particularly his adept handling of complex diplomatic situations and his deep engagement with the Indian diaspora.
Ankur Vaidya, Chairman of the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA), praised Dr. Jeph’s deep understanding of the community.
“He is our man who knows the community like the back of his hand. His experience in navigating complex situations has been invaluable,” Vaidya remarked, emphasizing his role in strengthening the India-diaspora relationship.
FIA President Saurin Parikh commended Dr. Jeph’s management skills, attention to detail, and ability to unify Indian American organizations. He noted that Dr. Jeph had played a significant role in fostering cohesion among various community groups.
Several prominent community leaders, including Anil Dosa, Kenny Desai, Sreekanth Akkapalli, Dr. Sudhir Parikh, and Mohammad Farooqi, also extended their best wishes.
Dr. Parikh described Dr. Jeph as approachable, trustworthy, and deeply knowledgeable about Indian culture and tradition.
A Night of Memories and Reflections
A special tribute video honoring Dr. Jeph’s service was played during the event.
In his farewell speech, Dr. Jeph reminisced about his arrival in New York during Cyclone Ida, which had left the city flooded. He described his tenure as “remarkable”, expressing the privilege of serving the largest Indian American diaspora community.
He recalled memorable moments, including how community members gathered at 2-3 AM to listen to PM Modi’s “Mann Ki Baat” addresses and cultural celebrations like “Dance Pe Chance.”
Dr. Jeph thanked FIA and other organizations for showcasingunity away from home, which, he said, made his diplomatic work more effective. He also shared fond memories of events like the India Day Parade and the Unity March organized by Kenny Desai.
Before concluding, Dr. Jeph made a heartfelt appeal to support the approximately 300,000 Indian students in the U.S., underscoring the consulate’s commitment to assisting every Indian. He assured the community of his continued availability for anyone visiting Delhi and expressed gratitude to his wife and various organizations for their support throughout his tenure.
Community Organizations in Attendance
The farewell was attended by representatives from numerousIndian American organizations, including:
- TAK Group
- Bansal Foundation
- TV9
- Parikh Worldwide Media
- TV Asia
- Print Early
- BJANA
- Siddhivinayak Temple
- MOCCAPI
- Brahman Samaj of USA
- Namaste Global
- Maheshwari Mahasabha of North America
- SKN Foundation
- Rajasthani Organisation of American Residents (ROAR)
Also in attendance were Pallavi Jeph, Vishal J. Harsh, and Priti Ray-Patel, who delivered the vote of thanks, bringing the memorable evening to a close.