Experience America' to strengthen Indo-US ties'

[email protected] (CD Network, Photos by Ahmed Anwar)

March 1, 2013

Mangalore, Mar 1: The Indian diaspora in the US is one of the most influential and vibrant communities, which has played a valuable role as a bridge between our cultures and has helped accelerate the transformation of US – India relations, said US Commercial Service Minister Counsellor for Commercial Affairs Judy Reinke.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of 'Experience America', an outreach programme by the US Consulate General in Chennai, at St Aloysius College here on Friday, she said that the best way to build strategic relationships between the two countries was a commitment towards building people-to-people relationships.

“The partnerships between our people and businesses stretch back for generations. Early linkages have blossomed into a robust two-way exchange of entrepreneurs, executives, professors, scientists and students that has benefitted both countries and come to serve as a model for others around the world. The US Consulate decided to organise Experience America 2013 in Mangalore as we believe making connections with Indian educational institutions, entrepreneurs, businesses and people is the right way to further connect our country. The EA programs will focus on higher education and partnerships with US universities for students and teachers through fellowships and grants, and the US Commercial Service tries to bring US universities closer to the country and the people through student and individual tours," she said.

Terming the three-day outreach programme as a celebration of India-US ties, she said that it was important to promote deeper and wider relationships and mutual understanding between the people of the two countries outside of capital cities, in places such as Mangalore and Manipal which have emerged as higher education and business hubs of South India.

Speaking on the occasion, Pro-Chancellor of Manipal University Dr H S Ballal said that education had no physical barriers and students in India should be exposed to international education especially in developed countries in the Western world, which would help them gain better insight and broad-mindedness. “It is important that educational institutions in India have relationships with counterparts in foreign countries as it is our responsibility to groom students well so that they become better citizens of India tomorrow,” he said, adding that Manipal University had tie-ups with ten US universities.

Public Affairs Officer of the Chennai Consulate David J Gainer briefed the students on the programmes of the United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF), the US Commercial Service and the activities of 'Experience America'. Cultural Affairs Officer Shanna Surendra was present.

Vice principal of the college Fr Francis Almeida also spoke on the occasion.

The inauguration was followed by an inter-collegiate speech competition for college students on the topic 'India's emerging regional role in South and Central Asia'. Around 14 students from seven colleges took part in the competition, which was followed by a seminar on 'Higher Education in the US and student visas' in the auditorium.

The campus had catalogue display counters of nine US universities such as Hawaii Pacific University, West Virginia University, Central Michigan University and others, to entice students wishing to study abroad.

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‘Have letter, next step is...’: MUDA on Siddaramaiah’s wife’s offer to return plots

News Network

October 1,2024

Mysuru: The Mysuru land authority at the centre of a financial and political storm - involving Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and alleged losses of ₹ 45 crore to the state - has received an offer of restitution from his wife, the urban development body's Commissioner, AN Raghunandan said.

"I am in possession of a letter written by Siddaramaiah's wife regarding her intention to return 14 plots (of land). The Chief Minister's son, Yatindra Siddaramaiah, came to our office and delivered the letter. We will take legal advice for the next step..." he told reporters in Mysuru.

Mr Raghunandan also confirmed anti-corruption officials from the city's Lokayukta branch had written seeking cooperation in its inquiry into the charges against the Chief Minister.

He said the Mysuru Urban Development Authority, or MUDA, "will cooperate with the investigation".

The Enforcement Directorate, however, have not reached out as yet, Mr Raghunandan said. The ED, a federal agency, has filed a money laundering case against Siddaramaiah.

There have also been calls for the CBI, another federal agency, to investigate charges against the Chief Minister, but that appears unlikely now given the Karnataka government has withdrawn general consent for its operations in the state. Law Minister HK Patil made the announcement last week.

He ruled out any link with demands for the Chief Minister to be investigated by the CBI, which reports to the BJP-led central government and the ruling Congress and other opposition parties have claimed is being used by that party to target rival leaders, particularly before elections.

On Monday - three days after the Lokayukta filed a case against the Chief Minister, and hours after the ED launched its probe- Siddaramaiah's wife said she had planned to give up the land earlier but was advised against it the allegations against her husband are "politically motivated".

But now, she said, she had made up her mind as "no house, plot, or wealth is more important than my husband's honor, dignity, and peace of mind". She also said the decision was hers alone; "... I am not aware of my husband's opinion on this matter, nor do I concern myself with what my son thinks".

And, in a comment seen as a calculated swipe at the opposition BJP, which is leading calls for the Chief Minister's resignation, his wife also made an emotional appeal to "all political parties and the media" to "please not drag women of political families into the controversy to settle political scores".

Investigative action against the Chief Minister follows the Karnataka High Court quashing a challenge to Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot's order sanctioning Siddaramaiah's prosecution.

Subsequently a trial court ordered framing of charges and directed the Lokayukta to complete the investigation within three months. The ED case was filed based on the Lokayukta FIR.

Siddaramaiah faces an inquiry into claims Parvathi was allotted 14 plots of land in an upmarket Mysuru area as compensation for land elsewhere - holding a far lower value - taken for infrastructure projects.

The Chief Minister has denied all charges and refused calls to resign.

He has been backed by the Congress and his deputy, DK Shivakumar, who is also the state unit boss, and also by members of his cabinet, including IT Minister Priyank Kharge. However, some within the Congress also want him to quit, such as former Assembly Speaker KB Koliwad.

"I will fight. I am not afraid of anything. We are ready to face the investigation. I will fight this legally," he said last week after the High Court had quashed his challenge to the Governor's sanction.

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