Ambassador Dnyaneshwar M. Mulay, consul general of India in New York, presented valuable insight into the country’s impressive emergence as an independent nation and underscored the importance of strong U.S.-India relations in the Daemen College Distinguished Leaders Lecture Series event held on July 25.

As the first international speaker in the lecture series, Mulay discussed India’s rich ancient history to offer an intriguing perspective on its evolution to the country that exists today. India’s success, he explained, comes from a blend of history, cultural values and commitment to economic growth.

“India is a land of great aspirations and prosperity and is a country that strives to serve as an example of peace,” said Mulay. “Since its independence (from Great Britain) in 1947, India has embraced working as a unified nation and is focused on living by its affirmations as a democratic society.”

U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida shed light on the national political scene and her personal path to public service at the Daemen College Distinguished Leaders Lecture Series event held May 13.

In an engaging and conversational style, Wasserman Schultz, chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, started off speaking before the overflow crowd about her introduction to politics in 1992 when she ran for the Florida State Legislature.

“The opportunity to work in public service was inspiring and presented an opportunity for me to help people, particularly young families, improve education and work on making quality, affordable health care available to everyone,” she said. “However, most of all, I knew my voice could speak for other women like me who are not represented in a political capacity.”

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, a leading proponent of school choice, addressed education, health care and other pressing national issues in the House Republican Party’s four-point policy agenda as featured speaker at the Daemen College Distinguished Leaders Lecture Series held March 10.

Introduced by Congressman Chris Collins, Cantor emphasized an “American That Works” plan in response to major challenges being faced today largely by the middle class.

“Many have lost faith in our nation and in the American dream. The American people deserve better and that’s why the House Republican leadership’s number one issue is to restore an America that works,” said Cantor, a six-term Virginia congressman.

Cantor pointed to the “middle-class squeeze” brought on by minimal wage growth and rising costs in making it harder for middle-class families to make ends meet. “Three out of four Americans are living paycheck to paycheck,” he said.