JALANDAR: U.S. Ambassador Richard R. Verma exhorted students to listen to their parents, "no matter what your position in life", and not to forget their roots.

"No matter where or when you are, no matter your position in life, always listen to your parents!" Verma said while addressing students and the faculty at the DAV College Commencement Ceremony, his father's alma mater, here.

Recalling the visit of the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to the US in 2009, Verma said: "In the fall of 2009, I was an assistant secretary at the State Department -- this is the equivalent of a joint secretary under your system."

"It was President (Barack) Obama's first term and I was invited to the arrival ceremony at the White House for Prime Minister Singh. As you can imagine, this was pretty exciting, so I told my dad about it."

"And he says, 'You know, son, we and the prime minister, we are from the same place.' And my dad says, 'You should be sure to tell him that'."

"I said, 'Dad, there are 1 billion Indian people, it is mathematically impossible that all of you can be from the same place'. He says, 'Well, I'm telling you, you should tell the PM we are from the same place'. Thanks, dad, but I'm not doing that."

Narrating his experiences of meeting then Prime Minister Singh, Verma said: "So, the day of the event comes and I am standing in the receiving line. When my turn comes, President Obama says to the prime minister, 'This is Rich. He works at the State Department'."
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