The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : “India, U.S. share values of freedom, democracy”

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Sunday, Jan 27, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

“India, U.S. share values of freedom, democracy”

Staff Reporter

U.S. Consul-General throws party for Corporation school students

— Photo: R. Ragu

THE HOSTS AND GUESTS: David T. Hopper, U.S. Consul General, and his wife with students of the Corporation School on Model School Road, Thousand Lights, at their home by the Adyar river to celebrate India’s Republic Day on Saturday.

CHENNAI: The world’s oldest democracy, United States of America, greets the world’s largest democracy, India, on Republic Day, US Consul-General David T. Hopper told guests at his home by the Adyar river on Saturday.

The guests were some 100 Corporation School children, who gladly returned the greeting with a lively street theatre performance recalling key moments in the struggle for Independence in India and America.

The Boston Tea Party, where American colonists destroyed crates of tea in December, 1773, to protest taxes being levied by Great Britain, was re-enacted as a crucial moment in the struggle for American independence.

The same moment was recalled by Mahatma Gandhi after the Salt March to Dandi, the children reminded the audience. Humour and scintillating performances were the highlights of the skit that was entirely narrated in earthy Tamil.

Mr. Hopper recalled that the skit had been scheduled for July 4 to mark the American Day of Independence. The U.S.A. and India shared the values of individual freedom and respect for education and democracy, he said.

Kakarla Usha, Additional Commissioner (Education), Corporation of Chennai, felicitated Mr. Hopper for throwing open his home to children.

Students of Corporation Middle School at 1A, Model School Road, later were divided into groups for games, face painting and other activities.

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