The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Durban keen to have ‘sister city' partnership with Chennai

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Wednesday, Nov 17, 2010
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Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Durban keen to have ‘sister city' partnership with Chennai

Staff Reporter

— Photo: S.Thanthoni

Mayor M.Subramanian interacts with the visiting delegation from South Africa at the Corporation Council hall in Ripon Building on Tuesday.

CHENNAI: The Durban Metropolitan Municipality in South Africa has expressed interest in a ‘sister city' partnership with Chennai to promote cultural ties and friendship. A six-member team headed by Durban city's deputy mayor Loganathan Naidoo held discussion in this regard with Chennai Mayor M. Subramanian here on Tuesday.

Mr. Naidoo said the delegation's visit was to mark the 150 {+t} {+h} anniversary of the arrival of Indian labourers from Chennai to South Africa. This year is being commemorated to recognise the contribution of Indian descendants to South Africa.

The delegation from Durban discussed the culture of the two cities and the development works being carried out by the Chennai Corporation. Mr.Naidoo recalled that he belonged to the erstwhile Arcot district. He also presented a plaque to Mr.Subramanian expressing interest for cooperative agreement and social cohesion.

Chennai Corporation Commissioner D.Karthikeyan briefed the visiting delegation about the city and took them around the council hall.

Later speaking to presspersons, Mr.Subramanian said that the Corporation had a sister city agreement with San Antonio in the U.S. “We will soon have a sister city partnership with Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to share expertise about the various development works.” Chennai's Deputy Mayor R.Sathyabama, ruling party leader in the council N.Ramalingam and leader of the opposition Saidai P.Ravi were also present during the meeting.

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