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Previous Consulate Programs

August 2009

Left to Right: Mr. Gitesh Joshi (does not appear in the picture), Mr. Bijoy Thangaraj, Mr. Ramesh, CAO Ragini Gupta and and Mr. Aurovind after receiving their prizes.

‘Evaa’ Elects a New President and Welcomes Award Winning New Member
 Over 60 alumni of U.S. government sponsored exchange programs elected Mr. Somashekar of the National Law School of India University to lead their alumni association -- the Exchange Visitor Alumni Association or “EVAA” – in Bangalore on August 28. Each year, EVAA holds a reception, annual meeting and election in a different South Indian city ...

Left to Right: Mr. T.V. Mohandas Pai, Mr. Mustafa Moochhala, Ms. Sylvia Subbaiah and Mr. Vasant Kini

Sustaining Corporate Social Responsibility during an Economic Recession
 Representatives of more than 40 corporations and 33 NGOs working on a wide range of issues including environment, health, heritage preservation, disability rights, education and literacy came together in Bangalore on August 28 to discuss how to build and sustain corporate social responsibility (CSR) even during difficult economic times...

Anju Bhargava and Cultural Affairs Officer Ragini Gupta with students in a group discussion at Stella Maris College.

Faith-Based groups’ Role in Community Development
 Inter-religious partnerships and faith-based groups contribute greatly to community development and civic society in the United States. Ms. Anju Bhargava, President Barack Obama’s most recent appointment to the White House Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnership Advisory Council, underscored the long history of inter-faith dialogue and ...

PAO Michael Pelletier and Dr. Deborah Thiagarajan, Founder and President, Madras Craft Foundation holding a copy Yankee India by Susan Bean.

American Consulate Joins Madras Week Celebrations
 Ties between Chennai and the United States go back centuries and cover a vast range of fields. Dr. Susan Bean, curator of South Asian and Korean Art at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts, shared stories of the trade between Chennai and the US, including textiles, ice, and cargo, and of the many historic figures who were part of ...

Pradeep Rajdas and Jude Sannith from Loyola College who won the 1st and 2nd prizes.

Loyola College Wins Top Prizes in Democracy Speech Contest
 Pride in Indian democracy and the hope that the country will play a proactive role in promoting democracy in South Asia resounded in an intercollegiate speech contest on “Worldwide Movement for Democracy: India’s Role” organized by the U.S. Consulate in association with Madras Christian College on Wednesday, August 12.

Sakeena answers questions posted by a Muslim student about studying in the United States. Other panelists from left to right included Acting Public Affairs Officer Ragini Gupta, Mr. Asif Sultan, Vice Consul Salman Kalil, and Mr. Darshit Sagar.

Muslim Youth Speak About Overcoming Barriers
 About 120 influential Muslim leaders, heads of Islamic organizations and educational institutions, and students had an interactive dialogue with Yasmin and Imran about their daily life as Muslim Americans and their initiatives to clarify misconceptions about Islam

Ms. Sandra Ruch interacts with students from Chennai.

U.S. Films Specialist’s Talk Inspires Young Indian Filmmakers
 Sandra Ruch, of the American Documentary Showcase inspired young film makers in Chennai and Madurai to find stories they want to tell and make an impact. Ms. Ruch led discussions on the nuances of making a quality documentary film with students at the MGR film institute and delivered the keynote address at the national seminar on ...