Indians are ‘humble with a purpose’, feels Paterson city mayor

Jeffrey Jones, Mayor of Paterson city in New Jersey who was on a two-day visit in the diamond city of Surat during the last week of June, is highly impressed by Indians and their culture as he feels that People of India are ‘Humble with a purpose.’

 

Joneswants to make the diamond city of Surat Paterson’s sister city for the development of bilateral trade in the field of textiles, diamonds and other sectors.

 

He met the industrialists and entrepreneurs from the city’s textile, diamond and other sectors at the meeting organized by the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI).Jones and his delegation members also visited the diamond hub of Varachha to witness the state-of-the-art diamond manufacturing units.

 

In a candid conversation, Mayor Jones shared his ‘India’ experience with hi INDiA.

 

What was the purpose of your India visit?

 

The purpose of the trip to India was to establish dialog, relationships, partnerships which may lead economic development and growth, tourism, and any and all allowable and desirableopportunities.

 

Was it your first visit to India?

 

This was my first trip to India.

 

Did you go to Gujarat only or any other state as well?

 

Unfortunately, the itinerary and times constraints only afforded Mumbai and Surat, however should another opportunity resulting from the June trip present itself would be honored to further my knowledgeof this wonderful experience.

 

What is your impression about Gujarat as it is often described as most industrially developed state in India?

 

My impressionwas mystical, in that i witnessed a completely new and different cultural, people, and landscape. I witnessed tremendous growth and planning, as well as the typical and traditional challenges ofany large metropolitan city.

 

Why do you want to make Surat a sister city of Paterson?

 

Our histories of silk, and textiles mirror amazingly.

 

Are you already working on it?

 

We are already engaged in discussion and planning, and met with and anticipate several delegations to arrive in Paterson to further discuss ideas and concepts explored during our visit.

 

What’s your overall opinion about India and its people?

 

Overall, I would highly recommend India as a place to explore. Humble with purpose would be my clearest reflection about the peopleof India.

 

Many dignitaries including President Obama have said, ‘You cannot visit India, you have to experience it.’ Did you feel the same?

 

Although our timewas fluid and filled with meeting upon meeting and business after business, I would concur with President Obama, “you cannot visit India, you have to experience it”.

 

Any future project with India?

 

Several concepts and ideas have been discussed, one inparticular is a hotel and convention center, aptly titled” cocoon @ the falls, Paterson’s great falls national historic park features the second highest falls next to Niagara. (Conceptual rendering can be viewed at the PatersonNJ website, patersonnj.gov

 

Say something that you would love to share with our readers

 

Feel free to open the dialog and let begin the journey started in India.