If you’ve walked through Westlake Park recently, perhaps you’ve noticed the new statue of Swami Vivekananda, a philosopher and Hindu monk.

Vivekananda is credited with introducing yoga and the Vedanta philosophy to a global audience.

That statue is a gift to the city from the government of India.

People from India represent more than 10 percent of Washington’s foreign-born residents. As of 2024, nearly 95,000 King County residents were born there.

The statue is part of a broader cultural diplomacy initiative, according to the consulate general in Seattle.

The diplomatic outpost opened two years ago, and India's consul general in Seattle joined Soundside to talk about the relationship between the Pacific Northwest and India.

Guest

Consul General Prakash Gupta

Related Links

America's First Guru - PBS

Trump’s Changes Lock Some Employers Out of H-1B Visa Program & As H-1B Visa Program Changes, Skilled Foreign Workers Consider Leaving U.S. - The New York Times

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The PNW-India relationship, from Cosmic Crisp apples to tech