Previous Consulate Programs - December 2007

(from right to left) U.S. Basketball Coach J.D. Walsh, Consul General David T. Hopper, Mr. S. Baldwin Raju, Correspondent and Secretary, and Dr. P. Esther Ranjini, Principal, YMCA College of Physical Education, at the garlanding event of Mr. Harry Crowe Buck’s statue.

American Basketball Coach Pays Homage to Harry Buck

J.D. Walsh, American basketball coach and former professional player, in cooperation with the Tamil Nadu Basketball Association, came to Chennai December 12-14 to conduct a series of basketball workshops with school, college and state teams.  As part of his visit, he placed a garland over the bust of the American Harry Crowe Buck, who is widely credited with introducing basketball to Tamil Nadu after founding the YMCA Training School of Physical Education in Madras in 1920.  Mr. Buck also played a crucial role in starting the Indian Olympic Association and was responsible for selecting team members to represent India in the 1924 and subsequent Olympic Games.  Mr. Buck died of leukemia in 1943, and his bust was presented by YMCA alumni and unveiled at the YMCA in 1955.  Mr. Walsh today is carrying on the nearly century-old tradition of Indo-U.S. cooperation in the area of sports. 

Presidential Message On Eid Al-Adha

"America is a land of many beliefs, and our society is enriched by our Muslim citizens. The kindness, generosity, and goodwill displayed by American Muslims during this special occasion and throughout the year have contributed to the strength and vitality of our Nation. May all those observing Eid al-Adha find love and warmth during this joyous holiday." - President George W. Bush (more)

 

Chennai American Library Organizes An Open House At Loyola College To Begin Celebrations Of Its 60 Years Of Service In South India

From December 10-11, the Chennai American Library organized an Open House Exhibit at Loyola College, Chennai one of the leading institutions in Chennai -- to begin celebrations of its 60 years of service in south India.  The Library set up a book display, PowerPoint demonstrations on the resources and services of the Library and video showings with a back drop poster exhibit on Human Rights. The event included a discussion and quiz program on the upcoming 2008 U.S. Elections.  During the inauguration, the Principal of the College Fr. Albert Muthumalai, and Mr. Wesley Robertson, Information Officer, urged students and faculty to make use of the wide ranging resources of the American Library.

United States Government Announces Worldwide Revision of Machine Readable Visa Application Fee

The U.S. Department of State is revising the worldwide nonimmigrant Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee from $100 to $131 effective January 1, 2008.  The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi encourages all applicants currently holding an MRV visa application fee receipt, but who have not yet scheduled their visa appointment to do so immediately, as the $100 receipts will expire on January 31, 2008.  (more)

Consul General David Hopper Opens Student AIDS March Entitled “Take The Lead” On World AIDS Day

On December 1, 2007, Consul General David Hopper flagged off a student AIDS rally and walk organized by the Madras Christian Council of Social Studies, a faith based organization addressing HIV issues.  Over 1,000 high school students from 10 schools wearing T-shirts with the slogan “Take the Lead” walked over 2 miles through the city of Chennai to create awareness about HIV/AIDS.  In his address, the Consul General congratulated the Government of Tamil Nadu in taking the lead to reduce the prevalence of HIV/AIDS and reiterated the need to continue the fight to combat the disease. The walk ended with students performing skits and the Consulate showing the documentary film “A Closer Walk.”

Chennai U.S. Consulate Joins With Shakti Foundation To Commemmorate “World Disability Day”

Nearly 500 disabled children from all parts of Chennai attended a fun fair at Rajaratnam Stadium organized by the Shakti Foundation to commemorate “World Disability Day on December 3.”  40 leading corporate houses sponsored games, activities and food for the children.  Speaking at the program, Consul for Cultural Affairs Ragini Gupta shared President Bush’s message from ‘National Disability Employment Awareness Month 2007’ and highlighted the revolutionary changes in the lives of people with disabilities brought about in the U.S. after the passage of the “Americans with Disabilities Act.”   Encouraging disability rights activist in India, she noted that these changes did not occur overnight and were initially met with much resistance from the public and private sector in the U.S. but that long-term lobbying and awareness campaigns made the difference.  Mrs. Vasanth Raghuvir, Chairperson, Shakti Foundation, Mr. G. Nanchil Kumaran, Commissioner of Police, Mr. Atulya Misra, Member Secretary, Sports Authority of Tamil Nadu, Mr. M. Balasubramanian, Director of Mangal Thirth, Mr. Rajiv Rajgopal, CEO of AirTel, and Ms. Sonika Jain, Head, Southern Region, Taj Group of Hotels also spoke at the event. 

Consul General David Hopper Highlights USG’s Commitment To Combat HIV/AIDS On World AIDS Day

On November 30, Consul General David Hopper was the chief guest at the “World AIDS Day 2008: 20/20 Cricket Match” organized by the Indian Community Welfare Organization.  The ICWO is an NGO which has worked for the past ten years to prevent STDs/HIV/AIDS in Chennai. CG Hopper released ICWO’s annual AIDS awareness poster and then, along with other prominent local figures and politicians, played a friendly cricket match with HIV positive persons.  In his remarks, CG Hopper highlighted the point that treatment of those infected with HIV enables them to lead normal lives (including playing cricket!).  He also outlined U.S. government efforts to combat the disease worldwide.