Ambassador of India visits LDS leaders
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Abid Hussain, the Ambassador of India to the United States, got a close-up look at the Church and many of its programs and activities, especially those pertaining to welfare principles, during a visit to Salt Lake City May 11-13.
The ambassador was accompanied by his wife, Madame Karki Hussain, and Raghbir S. Bahal, the second secretary to the Embassy of India.Ambassador Hussain, who is assigned to the Embassy of India in Washington, D.C., visited Utah after receiving an invitation to do so by Church leaders. President Gordon B. Hinckley and President Thomas S. Monson, counselors to President Ezra Taft Benson, met with the ambassador on May 12.
The ambassador and his party then were hosted at a luncheon in the Church Office Building with the First Presidency, Council of the Twelve and general presidents of the Relief Society, Young Women and Primary.
During the luncheon, the ambassador and President Hinckley exchanged gifts. Mr. Hussain presented President Hinckley a book about Indian paintings, while the ambassador was presented a small statue, "Family Circle."
Before the luncheon, the ambassador's party visited Temple Square and Welfare Square. That afternoon, the visitors were escorted on a driving tour of Salt Lake City.
A reception was held in the evening at a local hotel, during which about 100 Church, community, state and local government officials and others greeted the ambassador and his wife.
On May 13, Mr. and Mrs. Hussain attended a reception on the BYU campus in Provo, Utah, where they were hosted at lunch by BYU Provost Bruce C. Hafen and other university officials. The ambassador then presented a lecture to faculty, students, visiting professors and others at BYU's David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies.
W. Boyd Christensen, director of Church Hosting, said Mr. Hussain seemed to enjoy his visit. "He was very appreciative of the reception and the acceptance that the LDS Church offered to him and his wife," Brother Christensen said. "He's very gracious, humble and considerate."
The ambassador "was very impressed with the basic principles of our welfare program, including self-reliance, care for the needy and spiritual growth," Brother Christensen related.
