Previous Consulate Programs - November 2007

Panelists Dr. Shamita Dasgupta, CAO Ragini Gupta, Justice Chandru and Geetha Ramaseshan listening to R. Geetha’s remarks. Photo courtesy: THE HINDU

Commemorating “International Day For The Elimination Of Violence Against Women”

On November 29, 2007, The U.S. Consulate invited judges, lawyers, police officers and activists to a lecture/discussion on the “Elimination of Violence against Women: Legal Options in India and the United States” to commemorate the International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women.  Dr. Shamita Das Dasgupta, co-founder of a domestic violence advocacy organization in New Jersey and Adjunct Professor at the New York University Law School, was joined by Ms. Geetha Ramaseshan, Advocate and Special Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras and Mr. R. Geetha, Advisor, Women’s Struggle Movement, for the panel discussion, which drew over 120 participants.  The program was co-sponsored by the Tamil Nadu Judicial Academy and presided over by Justice K. Chandru, Judge of the High Court of Madras and well-known human rights and women’s rights attorney.  The discussion focused on the legal options available to women subjected to domestic violence both in India and the U.S.

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Dr. Poongothai, Minister for Social Welfare, Tamil Nadu (right), and Consul General David T. Hopper (left) show the first copy of the domestic violence pamphlet to a visa applicant, November 26, 2007.

U.S. Consulate Recognizes International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

On November 26, 2007, the U.S. Consulate – Chennai recognized “International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women” by introducing a new pamphlet to help combat abuse.  This pamphlet provides detailed information on resources and support for victims of abuse or violence in the United State.  This pamphlet will be distributed to immigrant and work visa applicants preparing to travel to the U.S.  The first pamphlet was presented to Tamil Nadu Minister of Social Welfare Dr. Poongothai by Consul General David T. Hopper in a special ceremony at the consulate.

Consul General Hopper remarked, “Here in Chennai, the U.S. Consulate General is determined to do whatever we can to eliminate violence against women.  We have identified the visa application process as one opportunity.  Our consular officers issue more visas to dependents of foreign students and temporary workers in the U.S. than any other post in the world…  Occasionally, some of these dependents, almost always women, later become victims of domestic violence or even violence committed by strangers.  Because of language and other barriers, some of these women victims are isolated and don’t know where to turn for help.  In fact, help is available in every part of the U.S. for victims of domestic abuse and violence.”

Dr. Poongothai, Tamil Nadu Minister of Social Welfare stated, “I encourage and urge every women going to the U.S. to keep hold of this pamphlet along with their passport just in case they may need it in their life time.” [Domestic Violence Pamphlet (Tamil) (Telugu)]

 

“Going Global – More Indians are Studying in the U.S. and more Americans are Studying in India”

More than 80,000 Indian students studied in the U.S. last year and Americans studying in India rose by 20% -- highlighting that people to people ties lead the way in the growing Indo-U.S. relationship.  These statistics were announced during the U.S. Consulate’s celebration of International Education Week from November 13-16.  On November 13, the Consulate inaugurated International Education Week before an audience of more than 130 heads of academic institutions, senior faculty of leading colleges and universities, students and media. Public Affairs Officer Fred Kaplan provided an overview of higher education opportunities in the United States and then invited Prof. D. Viswanathan, Vice Chancellor of Anna University to speak about Anna University’s expanding U.S. collaborations, including over 50 MOUs with American universities. The Vice-Chancellor expressed his admiration for the U.S. educational system and shared his experience of how he has brought a global education to Anna University students.  Mr. Devendra Kumar Saharia, President, Ajuba Solutions India (ranked among the top twenty employers in India by the Economic Times) spoke about benefits of international education and how his U.S. education helped him both professionally and personally.

The following websites provide information about studying in the U.S:

USEFI-Chennai

International Education Week
http://iew.state.gov/
http://usinfo.state.gov/scv/life_and_culture/education/study_in_the_us/iew.html

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Breast Cancer Awareness Programs Launched in Chennai and Hyderabad

Having amassed over 1 billion USD (Rs. 39.35 crores) to support breast cancer awareness and research programs, the Susan G. Komen foundation based in Dallas, TX came to India looking for Indian partners to raise awareness and reduce the stigma associated with the disease here in India. Breast cancer is the number one cancer afflicting Indian women today. To launch its India programs, about 150 volunteers, social workers, doctors and breast cancer survivors from Hyderabad and Chennai met with Ms. Cindy Schneible, Vice-President of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation during her visit to South India. Describing the successes of the Komen Foundation's fundraising and awareness events, including their signature event The Race for the Cure, Cindy Schneible illustrated innovative ways to market breast cancer awareness and bring corporate sponsors on board. From tips on how to approach corporate sponsors to specific examples of innovative marketing methods such as messaging on the back on cereal boxes or at high profile sporting events, Cindy Schneible offered those assembled a chance to understand the many ways in which the U.S. has succeeded in bringing the issue of breast cancer to the forefront of the public's consciousness. Ramon Magsaysay award winner Dr. V. Shantha, pioneer in the field of cancer care and awareness in India, gave a keynote address on the disease in India. Two breast cancer survivors also shared their experiences in fighting the disease and their own efforts at raising awareness in India. For more information about breast cancer awareness programs and to sign up to work with the Susan G. Komen foundation, please click here.

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Secretary Rice Remarks On International Education Week, 2007

Statement on International Education Week 2007

This year marks the eighth annual International Education Week (IEW). In this celebration of international education and exchange, the U.S. Department of State joins with the U.S. Department of Education to highlight the critical role of education in our efforts to secure a bright future based on international partnership and understanding.

In a world where challenges transcend borders, education is essential for making the world more peaceful and more prosperous. American students can better understand global issues by learning other languages and experiencing other cultures first-hand. Moreover, our country has no more valuable asset internationally than the friendship of the millions of young people, citizens, and leaders around the world who understand the United States because they have studied here.(more)

U.S. Ambassador to India David C. Mulford Receives State Department Award for Exemplary Diplomatic Service

Washington D.C. – U.S. Ambassador to India David C. Mulford was presented with the State Department’s Sue M. Cobb Award for Exemplary Diplomatic Service in a ceremony attended by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and other senior diplomatic officials.  In presenting the award, Ambassador Mulford was cited for his tireless and successful work in fostering the United States’ growing bilateral partnership with India.

President Bush wrote a special letter of thanks to the Ambassador, congratulating him on the award and noting that "Under your leadership, we have seen the partnership between the United States and India strengthen and expand on a range of global issues.”(more)Ambassador David C. Mulford’s remarks...

U.S. Scientist On Climate Change Interacts With Local Experts In Chennai

On November 16, 2007, the Chennai American Library hosted a roundtable on Climate Change: Trends, Impacts and Possible Actions, at the U.S. Consulate General.  Dr. V. Ramaswamy, Professor, NOAA/Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, Princeton University, moderated the discussion.  More than 40 academics, senior government officials, NGO representatives, journalists and students participated in the discussion. During his initial presentation Dr. Ramaswamy detailed the major factors and issues concerning climate change.  This was followed by a vibrant discussion on the increase in global mean temperature, emission scenarios, policy issues, awareness creation among general public, networking and sharing of data and U.S. efforts towards addressing climate change.  The group unanimously called for greater interaction between the scientific community and policy makers to address climate change.  According to Dr. Ramaswamy “The only way to get at good policy is to provide good science.”

Department of State Issues Record Number of Visas to Students to Study in the United States

We are pleased to mark the end of International Education Week, November 12 – 16, by announcing that the Department has issued a record number of visas to students to study in the United States, exceeding pre-9/11 levels.  During Fiscal Year 2007, the Department issued more than 651,000 student and exchange visitor visas – 10 percent more than last year and 90,000 more than were issued in Fiscal Year 2001.(more) 

Street Children Celebrate Diwali

Hundreds of children from the Dalit community, some living on the streets, were brought together on November 3 in Chennai by the non-governmental organization Anbhagam (Love Home) to get an early start on Diwali, to dance and sing, and to receive prizes.  Anbhagam has been working with the children for over two years, providing them with food and shelter, non-formal education and a school enrollment program.  The enthusiastic children received prizes for scholastic achievement and good attendance from Mr. Chidambaram of Indian Oil Corporation Ltd., Mr. Satish Tarnas of Dalit Foundation, Ms. T. Rajeswari of Quality Inn Sabari, and Fred Kaplan of the U.S. Consulate General-Chennai. 

U. S. Consulate General partners with Chennai NGO to spread awareness on breast cancer

The U. S. Consulate General - Chennai and CAN-STOP, a leading NGO working in the field of cancer care and awareness in Chennai, together marked October 30 as Breast Cancer Awareness or Pink Ribbon Day.  Speaking at a program organized by CAN-STOP, Information Officer in the U. S. Consulate General Mr. Wesley Robertson stressed the importance of awareness and early detection in order to combat breast cancer effectively.  He noted that his staff had distributed to major south Indian TV channels Pink Ribbons, which were then worn by anchors during their prime-time broadcasts.  The idea is to get the word out and to show support for those affected by the disease.(Click here for more information...)