Reflections on a Recent Journey to India

GKII Executive Director Melody McCoy

As the Executive Director of the Gupta-Klinsky India Institute, I recently embarked on my second GKII trip to India. Here’s a brief rundown of the engagements and discoveries made during this visit.

G20 Forums ++

Left to right: Dr. Sudhir Jain, Vice Chancellor, Banaras Hindu University, Dr. Manjari Singh Assistant Professor, Amity University, Prof. Sunder Ramaswamy, Middlebury College, Ms. Sarita Mohapatra, Partner, PwC, Dr. Krishan Mehta, Toronto Metropolitan University, Melody McCoy, Executive Director, Gupta-Klinsky India Institute

The trip began with the Indiaspora G20 Forum, hosted by Founder MR Rangaswami, along with Executive Director Sanjeev Joshipura and Sreekumar Nair, CEO India. This gathering was much more than meetings – It was a robust platform for global discourse, where pressing concerns ranging from climate change, economic disparities, and educational reforms were discussed, and a celebration of the accomplishments of the Indian diaspora.

I was privileged to be part of the panel, “Driving Knowledge Sharing for India’s Growth.” Our deliberations circled around synergizing the academic prowess of the US and India, and how this partnership can lead India toward an incredible knowledge economy.

The event was a “who’s who” of key individuals, including US Ambassador Eric Garcetti, Chief Coordinator of the G20 Secretariat – Harsh Shringla, and the award-winning musician AR Rahman. The event highlighted the incredible talent of India and its importance on the world stage.

I had the pleasure of watching India’s Chandrayaan-3 successfully land on the Moon’s South Pole, in real-time while in attendance. This was an unforgettable moment that defines the spirit of this nation. India’s triumph in space exploration is not just a testament to its scientific advancements, but also to its tenacity and aspirations.

Before diving into business deliberations, I had the honor of being part of the United States India Strategic Partnership Foundation (USISPF). Core discussions centered around the US-India partnership and the pivotal role it plays in bridging skill gaps.

The B20 Summit shed light on RAISE – the essence of the future business landscape, emphasizing an approach that is Responsible, Accelerated, Innovative, Sustainable, and Equitable. A key takeaway was the unanimous recognition of the need to nurture a workforce that is not only equipped with the skills of the future but is also research-driven and technologically adept.

And Beyond

A significant part of my trip involved engaging with USAID, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and GKII donors and partners, among others. Joined by colleagues Vidya Mave, Co-Director of the Center for Infectious Disease India, and Nishi Suryavanshi, Deputy Director for the BJGMC CRS in Pune, we visited Dr. Dheeraj Tumu, Dr. Rajendra Joshi, and Dr. Hardik Solanki at the offices of the Indian government on TB. Our discussions focused on the pressing issue of tuberculosis, as a major focus for GKII is how to partner with India as it works to eliminate TB by 2025.

It was also a great pleasure connecting with my previous colleagues and JHU affiliates, Dr. Somesh Kumar, Country Director for Jhpiego, and Indrani Kashyap, Regional Communications Director with Jhpiego. Jhpiego continues to grow and have impact at scale in maternal health, primary health care, and other important health issues.

To wrap up, this trip wasn’t just about official meetings and dialogues- It was an immersive experience into the dynamism, vitality, and the relentless spirit of progress that India embodies. This journey has only deepened my admiration for this incredible country and our collective aspirations for the future.