The Indian Diaspora Council (IDC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Mridul Pathak as Indian Diaspora Council’s Ambassador, West Bengal.

This appointment takes effect immediately. The term of this appointment is for a period of three (3) years and can be renewed upon request and approval of the Board of Directors of the Indian Diaspora Council. The Indian Diaspora Council’s Ambassador, West Bengal reports directly to the president of Indian Diaspora Council.

The portfolio of IDC’s Ambassador, West Bengal shall include: Engagement on behalf of Indian Diaspora Council of non-resident Indians (NRIs) and persons of Indian origin (PIOs) who are originally from West Bengal or having ancestral roots in West Bengal; liaison with State Government of West Bengal on behalf of Indian Diaspora Council for on-going and planned projects, events and programs in globally and in West Bengal; promote and advance the interest of Indian Diaspora Council in the State of West Bengal, other states in India, the Central Government of India and in other countries where IDC has presence: Mauritius, Fiji, South Africa, Reunion Island, Francophone countries, Malaysia, Trinidad, Suriname, Guyana, Jamaica, Guadeloupe, Martinique, St. Lucia, and other countries of the Caribbean; as well as second migration of descendants to such places as USA, Canada, UK, Netherlands, France, among other countries. We expect that this portfolio of responsibilities to be enlarged to include other areas in the latter half of 2017 as Indian Diaspora Council enhances its outreach, programs and projects.

Indian Diaspora Council recognizes that, while migration from West Bengal continues at an increasing rate, a significant number of Indian indentured laborers came from West Bengal and their descendants have traced their roots to West Bengal. IDC also recognizes that over 90% of all Indian indenture labourers were processed and housed in Kolkata before embarking to the former British colonies. The Kolkata Memorial was inaugurated January 11, 2011 in recognition of those who left India as indenture labourers during the period 1834 – 1920. March 20, 2017 marks the 100th anniversary of the official abolition of Indian Indentureship, an era spanning 1834-1917. The Indian Diaspora Council (IDC), in collaboration with several organizations and institutions in various countries, is coordinating a series of high profile global events to mark the centennial of abolition of Indian.

Mr. Pathak’s career began with Government of India civil service (‘66); posted Nigeria (‘73-‘93), promoted to top civil post; Co-Chairman of Indo-American Global Chamber of Commerce (IAGCC) and Conservator of Forests W.P.O. Bhopal M.P. Crisis Management in Critical Tiger Habitat Bandhavgarh; Founded International Foundation for Sustainable Development (IFSD) in 1997 Kolkata and remains a trustee of IFSD; President of Indian Cultural Assoc. Nigeria 83-93; Founder Trustee Indian School and International School ,Port Harcourt, Nigeria 1986; Chairman, Cricket Association, Rivers State, Nigeria; Member Royal Commonwealth Society, London since 1990; Life member, Cultural Association of Bengal, New York and KALLOL, New Jersey; Vice Chairman, North American Bengali Conference (NABC), New York 2005 and Advisor,NABCsince2000 ;Life Member of Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) since2001; formerly GOPIO director of diaspora development; other primarily consultancy or philanthropy to practice sustainable development; semi-retired “philanthro-preneur”.

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