Almost 100 attendees stuffed Baker Corridor within the Zoellner Arts Heart on Tuesday to listen to Richard Verma, ‘90, talk about his previous experiences in authorities and viewpoints on the present state of politics in a lecture titled “From South Mountain to the State Division: A Diplomat’s View of World Challenges and Alternatives.”
Verma is the previous United States Ambassador to India and former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State of Administration and Assets. In January, he was named Lehigh’s Inaugural President’s Distinguished Fellow, returning to his alma mater 35 years after his commencement.
After being launched by President Joseph Helble, who facilitated the lecture, Verma mirrored on his time on Lehigh’s campus, together with the speech he gave as class president at his graduation ceremony.
He stated his undergraduate years unfolded throughout a transformative interval globally, which included the autumn of the Berlin Wall, the tip of the Chilly Warfare and what many referred to as “the tip of historical past” in 1989.
Verma stated it was on South Mountain that he first started to assume significantly about management, service and the function of the U.S. in a altering world.
Whereas the lecture title insinuates Verma’s journey to the State Division started at Lehigh, he stated his path to the division started a lot earlier in his life.
“The 12 months 1947, my mom was 13 years outdated, residing along with her mom in a village in what’s at present Pakistan,” Verma stated. “Troopers got here into her dwelling one evening and advised her and her mom that they needed to be out of their houses by the morning, taking with them no matter they may carry. They might turn out to be refugees, touring lots of of miles by rail and by foot. A harmful journey.”
Verma stated his father, the eldest of 10 youngsters, traveled to America from India in 1963 with simply $14 and a bus ticket.
He stated his private success was greater than an extended shot — it was the quintessential American dream that’s nonetheless exhibited by many at present.
“Little question, there’s somebody arriving at Newark or JFK Airport at present with just a few {dollars} and a bus ticket like my father, with the dream of a greater life for his or her household and with the aim of contributing to the material of American society,” he stated.
Verma emphasised the significance of getting concerned in a single’s area people and touring as a lot as potential.
He stated after receiving a telephone name from the White Home with a suggestion to be an envoy, he the entire sudden needed to contemplate transferring his household of 5 throughout the globe to stay in India.
Verma stated he had 4 days to make this life-changing resolution, so he referred to as his dad, and he knew he needed to decide to it the second he heard his father’s constructive response.
He additionally stated serving because the U.S. ambassador to India and committing to the function was the distinction of a lifetime.
Verma stated previous to his transfer to India, he had the chance to satisfy former President Barack Obama, who reminded him that all through all the course of human historical past, serving in essential roles like this passes within the blink of an eye fixed.
Verma stated Obama additionally advised him it’s vital for one to remain true to their values, and the final word aim is to make the world a bit of higher for future generations.
He then mentioned present political and social points, together with immigration, poverty, commerce tariffs and illnesses.
When it comes to America’s involvement with China and up to date insurance policies surrounding worldwide commerce and reciprocal tariff, he stated China has had many technological advances in simply the previous three years. This consists of the elevated use of renewable energy sources and electric vehicles, in addition to the development of 400 fighter jets.
He stated expertise is a profitable device for development if used correctly by authorities officers, however its energy to intentionally misinform the general public ought to be thought of.
Concerning the continuing local weather disaster, Verma stated the quantity of greenhouse gases within the ambiance has been rising at unprecedented charges, and the degrees of carbon within the ambiance are increased than they’ve been within the final 800,000 years.
Verma additionally addressed some constructive developments. Specifically, he stated the typical life expectancy has practically doubled since 1900, and journey has soared, as more than half of Americans carry a sound passport — a rise from solely 5% proudly owning one in 1990, in keeping with the U.S. Department of State.
He stated the expansion in journey has translated to elevated quantities of worldwide research, with Pennsylvania rating sixth within the nation for highest charges of worldwide research.
All through his lecture, Verma stated there’s significance in constructing connections with one’s surrounding group, and that is significantly vital in face of the world’s uncertainty.
“The people-to-people contacts that you simply make, the friendships and relationships you construct, the values you share, this would be the glue that holds us collectively,” he stated. “That is the connective tissue that withstands political disruption and the noise of social media. You really are practising overseas coverage, whether or not you notice it or not.”
Referencing a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt, Verma stated small areas near dwelling are the place the actual battles for social justice happen.
Following his lecture, the occasion opened as much as questions from attendees, when a number of requested concerning the present political local weather and what could possibly be accomplished to take motion.
Kyle Nisbet, ‘25, requested Verma concerning the affect of present political actions taken by President Donald Trump’s administration and if insurance policies had been reversible.
“Given what the White Home has accomplished during the last couple months, particularly with antagonizing our closest allies and NATO, how a lot of that actually may be reversed?” Nisbet stated.
Verma stated world order and partnerships shouldn’t be reliant on a single nation, however relatively a collective world vote. He stated there must be a mechanism for peace and safety, as these are critical points at hand.
Demi Moore, ‘27, stated she is one in every of a number of college students at the moment working to ascertain a civic engagement heart on campus and requested Verma for his insights.
“What recommendation would you provide to college students who wish to enact change throughout their time at Lehigh?” Moore stated.
In response, Verma stated civic engagement means extra than simply being lively in politics; he stated it means additionally being lively in any group group that may trigger change.
“What our democracy is actually based mostly on is community-based engagement,” Verma stated. “That’s what makes our nation so distinctive, so robust.”
