SM Krishna raises the Trivalley issue with Hillary Clinton: NATA

Princeton, NJ: 'External affairs minister SM Krishna sought the intervention of the secretary of state Hillary Clinton regarding the TriValley University issue', North American Telugu Association (NATA) informed in a press release on Monday. NATA leadership team that met the minister and the secretary Nirupama Rao, repeatedly pressed the minister to take up this issue at the highest level of the office and it paid off.

External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna, in his conversation with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on February 13, 2011, inter alia raised the plight of the Indian students who were registered with the dubious Tri Valley University and sought Secretary Clinton's personal intervention in the matter.

NATA leadership team led by Mahender Musuku in an emergency meeting over the weekend with Indian External Affairs Minister SM Krishna and Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and Indian Consulate General Prabhu Dayal, had discussed the problems faced by the Tri-Valley students and the solution to the problem.

The team comprising Board of Directors Mahender Musuku, Mohan Patlolla, PR committee chair Mahesh Bigala and advisor Sridhar Chillara met the Minister SM Krishna and appealed to tackle the problem faced by Indian students affected by the Tri-Valley University, which has been closed due to immigration irregularities. The problem has to be addressed through diplomatic channels and at the highest level of the office the NATA team insisted, as there is so much confusion going on in the student and Indian community.

The NATA team held extensive discussions for two hours with the Hon.Minister SM Krishna, Secretary Nirupama Rao and Indian Consulate General Prabhu Dayal at the meeting attended by Tri-valley students who have explained the uncertainty regarding their status and academic future.

NATA Board of Director Mahender Musuku explained to the Minister about recent developments and NATA's assistance to students and 'Tri-Valley student fund' that has been created by the NATA board led by President AVN Reddy. He stated NATA has been at the forefront in helping Tri-Valley students. Minister has responded to several questions from the NATA team and appreciated the continued help and efforts of community organizations such NATA. NATA requested the minister to put together a legal assistance team for these students. A document high lighting the problems and possible remedies prepared by the well known immigration Attorney Rajiv S Khanna was handed over to all the three dignitaries.

NATA Public Relations Committee Chairman, Mahesh Bigala reminded the Minister on Government of India's intervention on similar incidents in Australia. He emphasized that students cases were dealt on Humanitarian ground by Australian Authorities and students were given opportunity to go to different colleges and Universities.

NATA Board of Director Mohan Patalolla repeatedly requested the Minister to take up the issue with Hillary Clinton and pointed out the general negativity being shown by the US agencies towards Indian community.

Minister has assured that Indian Embassy will continue to pursue the matter with US authorities. In response to NATA team request to appoint a liaison officer to expeditiously addressing the issue, he responded favorably but insisted that Consulate General will provide necessary help to dispel the confusion among the students regarding their legal status.

While it is a great positive step to seek the intervention of Ms. Clinton, NATA continues to work on the issue to help the community.

For further information, visit NATA website http://www.nataus.org