In 2001, Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee asked Bhishma Agnihotri to serve as the nation’s first Ambassador-at-Large for the Indian diaspora. Agnihotri, a non-resident Indian (NRI), had been serving as the chancellor of Southern University’s Law Center, but he readily agreed to accept the position. Although he faced opposition in India to his appointment as ambassador, he was officially appointed in 2001 and moved from Baton Rouge, Louisiana to New York just days after the September 11th terrorist attacks. His mandate from Prime Minister Vajpayee was simple. He was charged with strengthening the relationship between the nation of India and the Indian diaspora and, at the same time, with helping to elevate India’s position in the world. Agnihotri travelled the world and met with NRIs and people of Indian origin (PIO). He worked with NRIs and PIOs from all backgrounds, genders, and religions in an attempt to strengthen their ties to their mother country. This book highlights 
Dr. Agnihotri’s accomplishments as Ambassador-at-Large. It also touches on his journey from India to America to pursue higher education, becoming a chancellor of a law center, volunteering his time to many organisations, and moving on to the worthy task of Bridging Global Indian Diaspora.

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Contents

Preface—Pgs.9

1. Harnessing Soft Power—Pgs.15

2. MEA ‘Well-Wishers’ Unhappy—Pgs.19

3. Negative Role of Indian Media and  Others on My Appointment—Pgs.21

4. An RSS-Connected Ambassador—Pgs.25

5. Educational and Professional Background—Pgs.34

6. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.—Southern University Law Center— Israel Peace Medal—Pgs.53

7. Serving Diaspora Organisations—H.S.S. – AAPI – VEDIC Cultural Society—World Fellowship of Religions—ISKCON—Pgs.59

8. Moving to New York as Ambassador-at-Large After 9/11—Pgs.65

9. Goals and Activities as NRI Ambassador—Pgs.68

10. Volunteer Groups, Workshops and Group Meetings in Different Cities—Pgs.90

11. Visit to the other Countries and Interactions with the Diaspora and the Concerned Officials —Pgs.106

12. PM’s Programme in New York Presenting United Diaspora—Pgs.120

13. Memorable Events Having Historical Impact—Pgs.129

14. BJP Lost the Election—Pgs.142

15. Some Interesting Personal Memories of Atal Ji—Pgs.144

Endnotes—Pgs.146

Appendix-I—Workshops, etc. —Pgs.161

Appendix-II—AAPI, etc. —Pgs.331

Appendix-III—ISKCON, etc. —Pgs. 337

Appendix-IV—Vancouver Sikh Community, etc. —Pgs.343

Bhishma K. Agnihotri has enjoyed a long and distinguished career in law and in community service. When he was only twenty-four years old, he became a trial judge in India and later received an appointment to the appellate court. In the late 60s, he moved to the United States to pursue higher education and earned advanced degrees from both the University of California at Berkeley and New York University. He then moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and took a position at the Southern University Law Center (SULC). He served as SULC's chancellor and Dean and was the longest-serving head of an American law school. Under his guidance, SULC became a nationally recognised institution. He was involved in establishing, serving 
or  heading  various  Indo-American organizations. His greatest contribution is helping AAPI for 16 years. As  Ambassador-at-Large he travelled the world and helped to build ties between India and the Diaspora and unity amongst them. Following his term, he returned to Baton Rouge and began practicing law. He is teaching a seminar in global law at SULC.