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1.What is the Indian American Council?

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the premier industry body of India, has set up the Indian American Council (IAC) to connect Indian Americans to opportunities in India and enhance their engagement with India. The Council provides a formal mechanism through which Indian Americans can identify avenues for participation in India's developmental process.

The Council is a unique network of accomplished Indian Americans connecting with India. It will help them exchange ideas, share learning, and formulate strategies to contribute to India's growth and success.

2.What is the need to start this council?

The inspiration for the Indian American Council comes from the feedback of numerous Indian Americans who are passionate about getting connected with India and wanting to give back something to their country of origin.

From people wanting to set up professional networks to fostering entrepreneurship development, to running medical camps in remote villages of India, to setting up world-class education networks or state-of-the-art health care facilities, examples of involved Indian Americans expressing a strong desire to connect with India are increasing steadily.

The Council is a clearinghouse of opportunities related to India's overall development.

3.Who is behind the Indian American Council?

The Indian American Council is chaired by Mr. Sam Pitroda, Chairman, C-Sam Inc. USA. The Governing Council comprises highly motivated and accomplished Indian Americans who have made a mark in their respective fields of expertise and gained global recognition. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) acts as the secretariat for this council.

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is India's premier business association, with more than 5,700 direct members and more than 80,000 affiliate companies. A team of managers based in the CII offices in India identify various projects, measure and track the progress of the various initiatives, and communicate with the council members. The council is aimed to become the single point of contact for the members.

The Governing Council provides direction and offers guidance to the IAC in its efforts to achieve its mission and objectives.

4.Who chairs this council?

The Council is chaired by Mr. Sam Pitroda, Chairman, C-Sam Inc., USA and co-chaired by Mr. Anil Kumar, Director, McKinsey & Company, USA.

5.Who is on the board of the Indian American Council?

The Governing Council comprises highly motivated and accomplished Indian Americans who have made a mark in their respective fields of expertise and gained global recognition.

6.What is the difference between the Indian American Council and other similar Council?

The Council is a unique network of accomplished Indian Americans connecting with India. It will help them exchange ideas, share learning, and formulate strategies to contribute to India's growth and success. The Council is a clearinghouse of opportunities related to India's overall development. The idea is to connect like-minded people to specific opportunities which offers scope for knowledge transfer and fulfill a desire to contribute to India.

The main difference between the IAC and other council is that IAC acts as a bridge that allows Indian Americans to connect with India across business and social sectors. While it does encourage participation of Indian Americans in the Indian corporate and social sector through various forms of engagements, it is not focused on raising funds alone.

7.What is Confederation of Indian Industry or CII?

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) works to create and sustain an environment conducive to the growth of industry in India, partnering industry and government alike through advisory and consultative processes.

CII is a non-government, not-for-profit, industry led and industry managed organisation, playing a proactive role in India's development process. Founded over 113 years ago, it is India's premier business association, with a direct membership of over 7500 organisations from the private as well as public sectors, including SMEs and MNCs, and an indirect membership of over 83,000 companies from around 380 national and regional sectoral associations.

CII catalyses change by working closely with government on policy issues, enhancing efficiency, competitiveness and expanding business opportunities for industry through a range of specialised services and global linkages. It also provides a platform for sectoral consensus building and networking. Major emphasis is laid on projecting a positive image of business, assisting industry to identify and execute corporate citizenship programmes. Partnerships with over 120 NGOs across the country carry forward our initiatives in integrated and inclusive development, which include health, education, livelihood, diversity management, skill development and water, to name a few.

Complementing this vision, CII's theme "India@75: The Emerging Agenda", reflects its aspirational role to facilitate the acceleration in India's transformation into an economically vital, technologically innovative, socially and ethically vibrant global leader by year 2022.

With 64 offices in India, 8 overseas in Australia, Austria, China, France, Japan, Singapore, UK, USA and institutional partnerships with 271 counterpart organisations in 100 countries, CII serves as a reference point for Indian industry and the international business community.

8.Who is behind Confederation of Indian Industry?

CII is a non-government, not-for-profit, industry led and industry managed Organisation, playing a proactive role in India’s development process.

Founded over 110 years ago, it is India’s premier business association, with a direct membership of over 5800 companies from the private as well as public sectors, including SMEs and MNCs and indirect membership of over 95,000 organisations from around 325 national and regional sectoral associations..

9.What is the role of CII in India?

The primary goal of CII is to develop Indian industry and to ensure that government and society as a whole, understand both the needs of industry and its contribution to the nation's well-being

For this, we work:

• To identify and strengthen industry's role in the economic development of the country
• To act as a catalyst in bringing about the growth and development of Indian Industry
• To reinforce industry's commitment to society To provide up-to-date information and data to industry and govt.
• To create awareness and support industry's efforts on quality, environment and consumer protection
• To identify and address the special needs of the small sector
• To promote cooperation with counterpart organisations
• To work towards the globalization of Indian industry and integration into the world economy

This is done by adopting a proactive and partnership approach with the government on various national and international issues concerning the Indian economy CII closely interacts on policy issues at both the central and state levels. Extensive dialogue and interaction with members and all sections of the community, and build consensus.

10.What is the role of CII in the US?

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is a partner and a catalyst in the process of forging stronger partnership between India and the United States, two nations sharing values and traditions, acting in concert in international institutions, working to enhance global security and prosperity.

In the United States, CII set up its office in Washington DC in June 1995 with the objective of enhancing Indo-US trade and economic relations. The office serves as a key contact point for US businesses, US congress and US administration and has close working relations with organizations such as the US Chamber of Commerce, The US-India Business Council, The Aspen Institute, The Asia Society, Brookings Institution, think tanks and policy makers among others.

Through its constant efforts, CII has been strengthening economic and business links between the two countries. It has brought together business leaders, policy makers, legislators, academicians and Indian Americans from both countries to strengthen the economic dimension of the bilateral relationship.

In addition to this, CII has been fostering dialogues with thought leaders on both sides to help shape geopolitical strategy in the two countries.

11.What is the role / objective of the Indian American Council?

The Council's main objective is to put Indian Americans in contact with various opportunities in India and to channel their efforts to build a better India. The council aims to seek out prominent Indian Americans keen to offer:

• Technical and management expertise
• "Out of the box” thinking
• Strategic input and innovative ideas
• Joint programs with counterparts in India
• Knowledge and expertise to Indian educational institutions and business communities
• Access for Indians to talent pools and resources in the U.S. through networks built over decades in the U.S.
• The aim is to institutionalize Indian Americans' wide-ranging efforts to further India's growth.

There are many potential connection points between India and Indian Americans that have not yet been connected. The council aims to bring such connection points together

12.What is the mission and vision of this council?

Mission Statement - The Council's goal is to create an exclusive network of accomplished Indian Americans willing to share their expertise and knowledge across all spheres to build a better India.

Vision Statement - To establish a platform to connect Indian Americans with India through focused economic and social initiatives and emerge as a clearinghouse of opportunities related to India's developmental goals, the Council seeks to enable and empower Indian Americans to fulfill their desire to create ties back to India in a meaningful way.

13.How does an Indian American benefit from this Council?

Joining the Indian American Council is, in a sense, the first step to finding a formal platform for participating in India's growth.

The Council, which is the first initiative of its kind, endeavors to bring together Indians and Indian Americans willing to contribute to building a better India. It is a formal mechanism that brings to the surface a substantial and meaningful list of projects/areas in India that may benefit from Indian Americans' participation.

The Council brings to the fore projects in various areas to enable Indian Americans with diverse interests to connect with India. Members of this Council will get access to specific opportunities in India, from networking with corporate leaders of Indian industry to working on projects of importance to India's economic and social development.

Networking: The Council will provide members a platform for interacting with member companies of CII in India and governments at the Federal & State level.

Special Projects: Members will be able to participate in groundbreaking projects identified by the Council. Focused projects in corporate, education, health care, economic development, science-and-technology and the cultural sectors will also provide avenues for participation.

Social sector activities: Projects in the social sector will be identified and undertaken by the Council. Community development, population, health, literacy, consumer affairs, and rural development are some areas in which member involvement will make a crucial difference.

Information dissemination: Because the Council's main objective is to provide access to information on numerous projects with a potential for collaboration, such information will be made available to members. CII network support for these projects will also be available to the Council members.

14.What are the prerequisites / qualifications to become a member of the Indian American Council?

Eligibility Criteria: Indian Americans who want to participate in India's growth through social and economic projects are welcome to become members.

15.Is there any fee payable?

An annual contribution of USD 200 or more can be made through cheques /bank drafts favoring Confederation of Indian Industry. The forms can be sent to:

Pavni Aeshini Guharoy
Indian American Council - Confederation of Indian Industry
1700 North Moore Street, Suite 1928
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Tel: (703) 807-0310
Fax: (703) 807-0315
email: iac@cii-usa.org

16.How do I become a member of this Council?

Membership forms are available on our website www.indianamerican council.org or through a link in the main CII website: www.ciionline.org as well as from our offices in New Delhi and the U.S.

An annual contribution of USD 200 or more can be made through cheques / bank drafts favoring ‘Confederation of Indian Industry’. The form can be sent to the following address:

Pavni Aeshini Guharoy
Indian American Council - Confederation of Indian Industry
1700 North Moore Street, Suite 1928
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Tel: (703) 807-0310
Fax: (703) 807-0315
Email: iac@cii-usa.org
Click here for Online Membership Form

17.What is the role of the Indian American Council in India?

The Council through the involvement of the Indian Americans will offer access to knowledge, expertise, innovative ideas, global perspectives to both the Indian industry and the Indian society.

18.How does an Indian benefit from this Council?

Indians will get the opportunity to work in co-ordination with accomplished Indian Americans and get exposure to various methods of work as well as get to know the changing trends in the global perspective.

19.How can I get involved?

The Indian American Council's aim is to constantly identify micro and macro opportunities. The organization has initially identified areas for collaboration in six sectors and seeking Indian Americans willing to contribute in these areas:

Corporate sector
Training and education
Health care
Economic development
Science & technology
Social sector and Culture

Members are welcome to identify other areas of interest, and the Council will support the implementation of these programs. Information on other sectors is available in the Resources section.

The Council has also launched a special project for collaboration with universities. For more information on the University Networking Program, click here.

20.How can I get involved in the Indian corporate sector?

The Indian corporate sector offers vast opportunities for Indian Americans. Apart from investments, there are ways to contribute by serving on boards of large and small companies, providing technical expertise and expert advice, consulting on how to penetrate the U.S. market with products and services, and helping Indian entrepreneurs secure venture capital funding.

Avenues to get involved with the Indian Corporate sector programs include:

• Membership of corporate boards in Indian companies.
• Membership of advisory board in Indian companies.
• Advising / consulting opportunities with corporates in India
• Knowledge sharing sessions with corporates in India
• Research / case study work with corporates
• Visits to Indian industry

21.How can I get involved in social projects in India?

The council has identified various projects and activities in the social sector where Indian Americans can get involved. It ranges for organizing a medical camp for the poor and needy, to adopting a school, to helping a city recover from a natural disaster, to teach slum children, to create awareness on HIV AIDS and much more. For details click here..

22.How can I get to contribute to Indian Universities?

For a culture that traditionally values education, it is only natural that India should become an education hub. An average middle-class household in India spends 15 to 20 per cent of its income on education/careers of children.

Training and education are by far the biggest area for collaboration with Indian Americans. The success saga of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the brilliant students they produce is well known.

The IITs are, as Bill Gates famously said, “a treasure-house of human capital.” After conquering the world, IITians are now in payback mode — particularly the IIT Kharagpur alumni, who have a long tradition of giving back to their alma mater.

Indian Americans can opt for giving lectures, setting up training institutes, contributing to their alma mater, or training an identified group of people. The Council has recently launched a University Networking Program to enable Indian Americans to provide their expertise to students and universities in various parts of India.

Some specific areas of education where foreign collaboration will help include:

• Sharing best practices in school / university level education
• Sharing innovative methods of teaching / lecturing
• Sharing expertise on preparation of low-cost teaching/learning material
• Sharing technical know-how and access to world class software for improving education at the management and administration level
• Designing orientation sessions and motivational workshops for management and faculty
• Sharing tools for monitoring and evaluating faculty
• Facilitating cultural exchange programs between government schools in India and America
• Sharing success stories on the vocational skills education and training programs among others

23.Who does the Indian American Council partner with in India?

The Indian American Council through its parent body, CII works in close partnership with the Government, both at State and Federal level. It also works closely with the government nodal agencies, educations institutions, Non Governmental Organisations, International organizations like the World Bank, UNDP, WEF and other local and regional organizations.

24.Can I recommend my fellow Indian Americans to be part of the Council?

Yes. Many Indian Americans from all walks of life have achieved great success and global recognition. They may want to contribute to their country's growth by leveraging their technical and management expertise, learning, and experiences. The Council's aim is to connect such Indian Americans back to India. The council's membership comprises businesses and professionals across a broad spectrum of industries and services, such as accounting, agriculture, architecture, banking, biotechnology, construction, creative and communications, exports/imports, financial services, investments, IT and e-business, law, management, manufacturing, retail, shipping, travel and tourism, telecommunications, and utilities. The network also includes Indian American professors, scientists, and consultants.

Eligibility Criteria: Indian Americans who want to participate in India's growth through social and economic projects are welcome to become members.

25.What is the reach of the Indian American Council in India?

The council maintains a close liaison with Indian industry, Indian government, policy makers, individuals, NGOs, professors, and universities to enable Indian Americans to meet their objectives. The Council also provides its members trade information and inquiries received from India.

Apart from this, the council continues to identify opportunities for Indian Americans to contribute in areas beyond these focused activities.

Council members make connections at three levels:

• Individual-to-individual: For example, leading academics in Indian universities collaborating with leading Indian American academics on research projects
• Individual-to-institution: For example, Indian Americans being invited to join boards of Indian companies, NGOs, or universities
• Individual-to-program: For example, Indian Americans being invited to join government or other task forces and initiatives such as infrastructure development, rural development, or education.
  

26.Can a non Indian American play a role in the activities of the Indian American Council?

Yes. You can be involved indirectly by virtue of being an American corporation or private entity looking to connect with India by working in co-ordination with members of the council.

Many American corporations now look at getting Indian business leaders on their board to bring the vast experience from an India and Asian context.

27.By becoming a member of the Indian American Council, does one automatically become member of the CII?

No. The Council is an initiative of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), India's premier industry body, which is more than a century old. It brings to the table skill sets of its parent body, which has worked the length and breadth of India with industry.

To become a member of CII and to view membership guidelines visit the CII website www.ciionline.org

28.Who heads the CII office in Washington?

Ms. Kiran Pasricha
Deputy Director General
Confederation of Indian Industry
1700 North Moore Street
Suite 1928
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Tel: (703) 807-0310
Fax: (703) 807-0315
Email: kiran.pasricha@cii-usa.org

29.Who can I contact in the USA for more information?

Pavni Aeshini Guharoy
Indian American Council - Confederation of Indian Industry
1700 North Moore Street, Suite 1928
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Tel: (703) 807-0310
Fax: (703) 807-0315
email: iac@cii-usa.org

30.Who can I contact in India for more information?

Mr R Sathish
Indian American Council
C/o Confederation of Indian Industry
The Mantosh Sondhi Centre,
No. 23, Institutional Area, Lodi Road,
New Delhi 110 003, India
Tel: +91- 11- 24629994-7 / Dir: +91- 11 –24617251
Fax: +91-11- 24626149 Mobile: +91- 98 184 44377
Email: r.sathish@ciionline.org