Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi joined scholars, business leaders and members of the Indian-American community at the Art Institute of Chicago on September 13 for the US–India Legacy 250 Symposium, a gathering examining more than 250 years of connections between India and the United States.

Krishnamoorthi, who represents Illinois’s 8th Congressional District, focused his remarks on the long history of Indian influence in America and the role of Indian Americans in shaping the country’s future.

“We have to remember how India and Indians influenced the development of America,” Krishnamoorthi said. “Over six million of us of Indian origin live and work in America and call it home. And you have powerfully shaped, influenced and continue to write the next chapter for America.”

He also urged Indian Americans to become more engaged in the civic life of the country and reflected on what the next chapter could bring as the United States marks its 250th anniversary.

The symposium was part of Legacy 250, a yearlong national initiative marking 250 years of American independence while bringing greater attention to the intellectual, cultural, scientific, economic and people-to-people exchanges that have connected India and America.

India’s Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Kwatra, sent a special message to the symposium. Describing Legacy 250 as “an inspiring platform,” Ambassador Kwatra said the initiative “documents, honors, and disseminates the shared intellectual, cultural, and democratic heritage of our two nations.”

He described the symposium as a “thoughtful and impactful effort” to strengthen India–U.S. friendship, educate younger generations and highlight the contributions of Indian Americans to the United States.

From History to America’s Next Chapter

The program brought together speakers from academia, business, diplomacy and the Indian-American community to examine the India–America relationship through history, education, entrepreneurship, technology and culture.

Featured speakers included Professor Madhav Rajan, Dean of the University of Chicago Booth School of Business; Professor James Vaughn, historian at the University of Chicago; author and business thinker Rishad Tobaccowala; oncologist and community leader Dr. Bharat Barai; Niranjana Rajagopal of Indiaspora; and neurologist Dr. Bhagwan Shahani.

Dean Rajan emphasized the responsibility of Indian Americans not only to benefit from American institutions but also to strengthen them:

“It is our obligation to support the institutions we have inherited and also build new ones as our contribution to this nation.”

A panel on “US–India Legacy 250: Past, Present & Future,” moderated by Sanjeev Yadav, Co-Convenor of Legacy 250, brought together Professor James Vaughn; Professor Dilip Gaonkar of Northwestern University; Smita Shah, President and CEO of SPAAN Tech; Arnav Dalmia, Founder and CEO of Tovie; and Neil Khot, President and CEO of Rely Services.

The discussion examined the evolution of India–U.S. relations, future areas of cooperation, and the expanding presence of Indian Americans in business, technology, education, culture and public life.

Dr. M. Anand Prakash, Consul General of India in Chicago, also addressed the gathering. Sara Koerber, Assistant Director of Institutional Philanthropy at the Art Institute of Chicago, welcomed participants.

133 Years After Vivekananda’s Chicago Address

The setting carried particular historical significance.

The symposium took place 133 years after Swami Vivekananda’s appearance at the World’s Parliament of Religions in Chicago in September 1893, an event that became a landmark in India’s cultural engagement with the United States.

Swami Ishatmananda of the Vivekananda Vedanta Society of Chicago reflected on Vivekananda’s journey to America and the continuing relevance of his message.

Following the symposium, Sara Koerber led guests to the Art Institute staircase display commemorating Vivekananda’s historic Chicago appearance, bringing the program back to the greeting that became associated with his American debut:

“Sisters and Brothers of America…”

Rediscovering 250 Years of Connections

Kanchan and Haimanti Banerjee, authors and convenors of Legacy 250, described how the initiative grew from research into overlooked and sometimes surprising connections between India and America.

The stories span more than two centuries—from trade during the era of the American Revolution and Emerson and Thoreau’s encounters with Indian thought to Vivekananda and yoga in America, Gandhi’s influence on the American Civil Rights Movement, scientific and intellectual exchanges, immigration, entrepreneurship and the growth of today’s Indian-American community.

“The story of India and America is much older, deeper and more human than most of us realize,” said Kanchan Banerjee, author and Founding Convenor of Legacy 250. “Legacy 250 is about rediscovering those stories and bringing them to the next generation.”

Haimanti Banerjee, co-author and Co-Convenor, added: “Then we must ask an even bigger question: What can these two nations and their people build together over the next 250 years?”

Their book, Threads of Freedom: India and America, 250 Years of Shared Destiny, was formally released at the symposium. www.ThreadsOfFreedom.Pub

Exhibition and Documentary Bring the History to Life

A special Legacy 250 exhibition presented people, events and ideas from the long history of India–U.S. connections, with artwork created by artists associated with Kala Bhavana, Visva-Bharati University.

The symposium also premiered a short documentary, “250 Years in 15 Minutes,” tracing how commerce, ideas, spirituality, science, education, migration and innovation have repeatedly connected the two societies.

In his closing remarks, Avanish Raj, Co-Convenor of Legacy 250, invited individuals, universities, museums and community organizations to participate in the initiative. The program was emceed by Sindhu Banerjee, a recent graduate of the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Legacy 250 will continue with exhibitions, lectures, conferences, multimedia presentations and educational and community programs during America’s 250th anniversary year.

As Ambassador Kwatra wrote in his message, he looked forward to Legacy 250’s “continued contributions to the India–US partnership.”

US–India Legacy 250 is an initiative of Mass India Partnership.