On November 27, Indian Ambassador to Ankara Sanjay Bhattacharyya visited Bilkent to give a lecture titled “India in a Globalized World: An Economic Perspective.” The Faculty of Economics, Administrative and Social Sciences and the Department of Tourism and Hotel Management cohosted the event.
The lecture attracted a large audience of faculty members and students. In his presentation, Mr. Bhattacharyya, whose academic background is in economics, discussed India’s defining features and the country’s role in the world economy. He listed democracy, productivity and the reform taking place in internal systems as among the important factors shaping economic development in India. He also noted the escalating enthusiasm among young people for innovation. Stressing the importance of globalization in economic development, Mr. Bhattacharyya concluded his remarks by stating, “India needs the world, and the world needs India.”
The ambassador’s visit also included a luncheon at the Department of Tourism and Hotel Management’s practice restaurant, Le Piment Rouge, where students of the department prepared and served examples from Indian cuisine under the supervision of chef Elif Denizci and service instructor Ali Ünal. Among the guests at the luncheon were Prof. Abdullah Atalar, university rector; Prof. Erinç Yeldan, dean of the Faculty of Economics, Administrative and Social Sciences; Kamer Rodoplu, dean of students and director of the School of Applied Technology and Management; and Asst. Prof. Eda Gürel, acting chair of the Department of Tourism and Hotel Management.