Obama state dinner

(c/o NYTimes.com)

Of course we wouldn’t be a good South Asian blog if we didn’t at least mention the Obamas’ first state dinner in honor of India last night.  Here was a nice quote from the President’s toast:

Mr. Prime Minister, today we worked to fulfill our duty –bring our countries closer together than ever before. Tonight, under the stars, we celebrate the spirit that will sustain our partnership — the bonds of friendship between our people.

It’s a bond that includes more than two million Indian Americans who enrich every corner of our great nation — leaders in government, science, industry and the arts — some of whom join us tonight.

A nice reminder about the philanthropic power of our 2 million+ South Asians in the U.S.  At the dinner, there were many celebrities, Indian-American leaders, and political players among the guests – surely some philanthropists among them as well!