A growing Indian community in Paris
The seeds of IPA’s origin go back to early nineties. The presence of Indian community in Paris had been growing over the years but this growth consisted of disparate sections involved in various trades. This period also coincided with the opening up of the Indian economy and the Government of India started looking at the NRI community as a potential powerful group that needed to be utilized for the benefit of the motherland.
It is in this background that some professionals and the then Indian Embassy’s Consular section came up with the idea to form a platform for Indian origin professionals. Thus the Indian Professionnal Association France was formed.
IPA: networking and more…
The goals of IPA are to bring together professionals of Indian origin in France to promote professional and social interaction, to share individual experiences for mutual benefit and to provide a forum for exchange of interdisciplinary knowledge by organizing meetings, seminars and conferences with Indian and French experts.
The ultimate aim is to increase the profile of Indian professionals in France, to enhance the awareness of achievements of Indians and India in France and to strengthen Indo-French ties in the fields of science, technology, arts, education, culture and communication as much as possible.
Monthly meetings are an opportunity to meet Indian and French professionals, to exchange ideas, to do some networking, and to interact with other professionals coming from different countries.
Today, the association gathers 52 members mainly based out of Paris. The meetings are held once a month, with a guest speaker (covering a large spectrum of topics) over dinner. There are flagship events like the yearly IPA Day. Certain Indian festivals are also celebrated.
More information : www.ipafrance.com
