Pool Reports by Lalit K Jha, Press Trust of India
| Sent: | Reports: |
| June 21, 2023 16:24 |
FLOTUS POOL # 1 Hi, your pooler is loaded into the van. now headed to the National Science Foundation headquarters. Please find below the background information: REPORTABLE BACKGROUND FROM THE OFFICE OF THE FIRST LADY: On Wednesday, June 21st, as part of the Official State Visit to the United States, the First Lady and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the Republic of India will visit the National Science Foundation in Alexandria, Virginia to highlight the U.S. and India's shared priorities around education and workforce. The First Lady will highlight career-connected learning and workforce training programs and partnerships between high schools, community colleges, and universities with employers. During the visit, the First Lady and the Prime Minister will meet students from the U.S. and India who are learning skills to succeed in industries vital to our economies.
The First Lady and the Prime Minister will be joined on the tour stops by:
Following the tour, the First Lady and the Prime Minister will participate in a moderated conversation about the U.S. and India's shared priorities in education and promoting a skilled workforce. The First Lady and Prime Minister will be joined by:
Education and Technology in the U.S. and India: A Shared Priority The United States and India share a bond forged in education. As of last year, there were over 200,000 Indian students studying in the United States, contributing to American innovation. Promoting the development of education and workforce training programs are essential to the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET), which President Biden and Prime Minister Modi announced last year. Biden-Harris Administration Recently Announced Strategies to Train and Connect American Workers to Jobs Created by the President's Investing in America Agenda In May 2023, the Biden-Harris Administration announced new efforts to ensure all Americans can access the good jobs created by the President's Investing in America agenda, including the American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act, by expanding access to job training opportunities. Today's event will highlight pathways to jobs in two critical Investing in America sectors: Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing As part of the President's Investing in America agenda, President Biden signed an Executive Order to ensure the United States is harnessing the full potential of biotechnology and biomanufacturing sectors to create good-paying jobs at home, build stronger supply chains, and deliver results for the American people. Many of the skills and occupations across biomanufacturing do not require a bachelor's degree – including biomedical technicians and operations technicians. The Administration is working with employers and unions to expand pre-apprenticeships, Registered Apprenticeships, and career and technical education (CTE) programs at the secondary and postsecondary level for biomanufacturing occupations. Semiconductors The CHIPS and Science Act will boost American semiconductor research, development, and production, ensuring U.S. leadership in the technology that forms the foundation of everything from automobiles to household appliances to defense systems. America invented the semiconductor, but today produces about 10 percent of the world's supply—and none of the most advanced chips. The CHIPS and Science Act will unlock hundreds of billions more in private sector semiconductor investment across the country, including production essential to national defense and critical sectors. As First Lady, Dr. Biden has traveled to over 40 states and more than 100 cities serving as a leading messenger for the Biden-Harris Administration's most urgent priorities, including the President's Investing in America Agenda. The First Lady has been an advocate for community colleges, career-connected learning programs, and pathways to good-paying jobs across the country. Most recently:
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| June 21, 2023 16:27 |
FLOTUS POOL # 2 At 2: 23 pm , the pool is rolling out now for NFS, Alexandria, Virginia. |
| June 21, 2023 16:32 |
FLOTUS POOL # 3 The event at NSF concluded at 3:46 pm. Now headed back to WH for the FLOTUS dinner preview. Th NSF was a bit delayed as PM Modi arrived a bit late. While waiting for the PM, FLOTUS, US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti and NSF Director Dr S Panchanathan interacted with the two students (as mentioned in the backgrounder sent earlier: Noah Isirimah, an American high school student, who demonstrate how he uses a wiggle bot a robot that creates abstract art on paper) to learn about semiconductor manufacturing. FLOTUS and Amb asked questions about AI. The second tour stop was Kaustubh Joshi, an Indian PhD student currently studying in the United States. He demonstrate how an underwater robot can be used to aid fishing and how this technology could be utilized in the workforce. FLOTUS asked where he was in India from.Kaustabh said Mumbai. FLOTUS said she has been there. Thereafter FLOTUS, Amb Garcetti were seen chatting while waiting for PM Modi. India's Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu was the first to arrive. HE apologized for the delay. FLOTUS said its ok. Soon PM Modi arrived. They posed for a group picture along with the students. And they headed to the conference room for moderated conversation, More to come. Pooler has now reached the WH for the second event. Dinner preview. |
| June 21, 2023 16:52 |
FLOTUS POOL #4: Dinner Preview Hi, Please see the details below REPORTABLE BACKGROUND?FROM THE OFFICE OF THE FIRST LADY: On Wednesday, June 21st, First Lady Jill Biden will host a media preview in advance of Thursday's State Dinner as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the Republic of India's Official Visit to the United States. The media preview will include brief remarks from the First Lady, White House Social Secretary Carlos Elizondo, and guest Chef Nina Curtis. Following remarks, Chef Curtis, White House Executive Chef Cris Comerford, and White House Executive Pastry Chef Susie Morrison will present dishes from the menu. The First Lady will be joined by Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council John Kirby. State?Dinner?Menu Chef Nina Curtis First Course Main Course Upon request Dessert?? Wines American and Indian Décor Elements
Entertainment? Joshua Bell Joshua Bell is a GRAMMY Award-winning violinist, soloist, recitalist, chamber musician and conductor, and currently the Music Director of the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields. Bell's highlights in the 2023-24 season include an international tour of his newly-commissioned project, The Elements, featuring works by renowned living composers. Additionally, he will appear as an artist-in-residence this season with the NDR Elbphilharmonie, and as guest artist with the New Jersey Symphony, National Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony, Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Philadelphia Orchestra, and more. Bell has been nominated for six GRAMMY® awards, was named "Instrumentalist of the Year" by Musical America, deemed a "Young Global Leader" by the World Economic Forum, and received the Avery Fisher Prize for outstanding achievement in classical music. Penn Masala Penn Masala is a South Asian A Cappella Group founded by students at the University of Pennsylvania. They are known for original compositions and harmonies that traverse traditions and capture the experience of growing up with both Eastern and Western cultures. Penn Masala has performed around the world, including at the Indian International Film Academy (IIFA) Awards, and in the Hollywood feature film and soundtrack for Pitch Perfect 2, which received an American Music Award for Best Soundtrack in 2015. "The President's Own" United States Marine Band Chamber Orchestra |
| June 21, 2023 18:27 |
FLOTUS POOL #5 From the NSF event Welcoming PM Modi to the US, FLOTUS said: "With this official visit, we are bringing together the world's oldest and world's largest democracies. But our relationship isn't just about governments. We're celebrating the families and friendships that span the globe, those who feel the bonds of both of our countries. After years of strengthening ties, the US India partnership is deep and expansive as we jointly tackle global challenges. Mr. Prime Minister, I know that education is an issue close to your heart as it is to mine. You work to ensure that all Indians, especially girls, which I love, have the opportunity to pursue an education and gain the skills they need for our modern workforce. It's so important, it's exciting to be able to show you some of the innovative programs our schools and businesses are creating for students here. FLOTUS thanked the National Science Foundation for hosting them. "There are students in this room who are discovering the inner workings of semiconductors starting in middle and high school or training for other cutting edge jobs. And as established businesses are transformed by new technology as industries that didn't exist a decade ago are created this kind of training is more important to our future than ever. "If we want our economies to be strong, we need to invest in young people who are our future. We need to ensure that they have the opportunities that they deserve," FLOTUS said. NSF Director PM Modi in his remarks described him as leader of the world's largest democracy. "As of this year, the world's most populous country. Promoting education opportunities and expanding India's technology sector have been key pillars of Prime Minister Modi's vision for the country. PM Modi in his remarks said that he is very happy that he has been able to interact with the young creative minds on his arrival in Washington DC. India is working on several projects working with National Science Foundation. PM Modi explained in details the skilling mission of the Government of India and said that for the bright future of Youngs it is important to have education, skill, and innovation. And India has worked in this direction. National Education Policy, education and skilling has been integrated. Under Skilling Mission, more than 50 million people have been trained. And another 15 million are being given training on latest and emerging technologies like for AI and blockchains. PM Modi said his goal is to have this decade as tech decade. To continue with this momentum of growth, India and the US it is important to ensure pipeline of talent. US has world's top educational institutions, advance technology, while India has the world's biggest youth factory. As such, I am confident that the partnership of India and the US would help towards sustainable and inclusive global growth. The PM also praised the role of community college in the US. Also spoke on the occasion: |
| June 21, 2023 18:42 |
FLOTUS POOL #6: Dinner Preview State Dinner Preview: FLOTUS in her remarks said: "With this official state visit, we are bringing together the world's oldest and the world's largest democracies. After years of strengthening ties, the US India partnership is deep and expansive as we jointly tackle global challenges. "But our relationship isn't only about the government. We're celebrating the families and friendships that span the globe, those who feel the bonds of home, both in both of our countries." "As some of you may know, Prime Minister Modi is a vegetarian. So we asked Chef Nina Curtis, a plant-based pioneer to work with our White House chefs and create a stunning vegetarian menu." FLOTUS said guests will have the option to add fish to the main course as well, if they choose. "Tomorrow night, guests will walk across the south lawn into a pavilion draped in rich greens with saffron colored flowers at every table, the colors of the Indian flag. And on the transparent sides, those colors and the strength of the heritage they represent- frame the iconic scenery and symbols of our nation, our democracy and our history: the White House and the Washington Monument inside each table arrangement is warm and unique. POTUS hoped guests feel as if someone has set that table just for them because we have. "After dinner, we'll have the opportunity to hear one of our nation's incredible sound's. Grammy Award winner Joshua Bell. His performance will be followed by Penn Masala, a South Asian acapella group from the University of Pennsylvania, who are bringing a little piece of my hometown to the White House, along with songs inspired by the sounds of India. After the last place are cleared with new connections poached and old ones strengthened, guests will end their evening walking across a moonlit lodge. There they will be greeted by hundreds of glowing lanterns, guiding them home, illuminating their pathway with all the warmth and love and laughter that we hope they take away from our time together. Then there was a surprise from FLOTUS: "Normally the press comes and you look at the beautiful plates of food that the chefs have prepared and get almost close enough to taste it, but you don't get to try it. So today I've asked our chefs to prepare a few small bites of tomorrow's menu." Full remarks of FLOTUS Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by Social Secretary Carlos Elizondo Previewing the India State Dinner State Dining Room, the White House *** It's hard to make an event of this scale feel intimate. But that's what Dr. Biden has endeavored to do for this State Dinner. She has been involved in this event at every step of the way. And every element of the dinner and décor has been chosen to make each guest's experience personal and warm. The inspiration for our design really began with the peacock, India's national bird. From the invitations to the programs to the pavilion, we wanted to evoke that breathtaking feeling when it extends its tail, unveiling its colorful beauty, majesty, and strength. Green draping will flow from the ceiling, giving way to tables cloaked in the saturated blues and greens of Indian silks, falling onto a carpet of navy blue. The hues, not only a nod to our guests, but also to our host, as blue and green are also two of Dr. Biden's favorite colors. Each table will feature an arrangement of blooms in vases large and small. It will feel as if someone has gone to their garden and cut flowers just for this event, filling each unique table scape with special love and care. And, the color of the flowers mirrors the saffron of India's flag, and the heritage it represents. As leaders have done at State Dinners for decades, the President and the Prime Minister will give their toasts from an eagle lectern. For this dinner, embossed on the rich forest green backdrop behind them, we've replicated that iconic eagle and a peacock in the same style, framing the leaders with their national birds. And in the peacock's talons, stalks of millets, a nod to India's successful campaign to declare 2023 the International Year of Millets. And around them, lotus flowers—important symbols in India. Their gleaming petals reminding us, that each day, our nations bloom stronger and more radiant, together. And throughout the space, you will see more images of lotuses, their design inspired by the mandala illustrations found in traditional Indian art. The design also reflects Dr. Biden's love of candles—their timeless elegance and their approachable warmth. Guests will be guided to the pavilion by their flickering light, just visible in the fading sunlight. And the dinner itself will be lit with sparkling candlelight. I would like to thank David Stark, and his entire team at David Stark Design and Production, who have just been amazing to work with. Thank you for bringing your talent, thoughtfulness, and innovation to this project. Finally, I also want to thank the many teams—especially my team, Team Social, and the Office of the Chief of Protocol—who have worked tirelessly to make this Official State Visit memorable. As Dr. Biden mentioned, she chose her menu as a nod to the Prime Minister. The dishes will mirror the décor, infusing the cuisine with Indian flavors and culture, like millets and saffron. Chef Curtis then worked with Dr. Biden and White House chefs to create the delicious cuisine for the evening. So now, it's my pleasure to introduce Chef Nina Curtis. *** CHEF NINA CURTIS:: "This is definitely a pinnacle moment in my career. It is truly a pleasure to be able to work with the First Lady and help her to bring her culinary vision to life ……we have curated a menu that really showcases the best in American cuisine and also then seasoned with Indian elements and flavors. |
Jill Biden, First Lady Pool Reports of June 21, 2023 Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/363956