Mangalore, Mar 2: On Day 3, the 'Experience America' programme in Mangalore organised by the US Consulate General, Chennai, was inaugurated by US Commercial Service Minister Counsellor for Commercial Affairs Judy Reinke at the City Centre mall here on Saturday.
As part of the programme, there was an open InfoUSA Trivia contest where mall-goers were quizzed on Hollywood, American history, geography, food, cartoon characters and music rock bands. The contest was followed by an ice-cream eating competition for ten selected individuals, and poetry reading. This was followed by another trivia contest and a second round of ice-cream eating and tasting competition organised by Baskin Robbins. All the events were coordinated and hosted by Public Affairs Officer of the Chennai Consulate David J Gainer and Cultural Affairs Officer Dr Shanna Surendra.
In the central atrium of the mall, there were catalogue displays of various US educational universities, American Library services and US tourist destinations, along with an educational advising presentation by US-India Educational Foundation (USIEF) enticing students to study in USA.
In addition, there was a life-size cut-out picture of US President Barack Obama, which people were encouraged to click photos with.
Speaking to Coastaldigest.com, Mr Gainer said that the response to the events such as the speech competition and seminars held at St Aloysius College on Friday was tremendous. “The mall is also a great space to reach out and meet Mangaloreans, and it is very interesting to interact with people. It is a good opportunity to meet and build relationships with a large number of people and we might not get an opportunity otherwise,” he said.
Speaking on the safety of women in public places, he said that gender violence, discrimination and disparity occurred in all countries, not one in particular and that we needed to take it seriously.
On the safety of Indian students living in the USA, he said the law enforcement in the US would protect non-resident Indians if they lived according to the laws. “The USA is a diverse country, which values its people. If any person is wronged or victimised, they can approach the local authorities who will protect them and make them feel comfortable,” he said.
Asked about the possibility of an establishment of a US Consulate in the state of Karnataka, he said that it was a complicated and diplomatic process. He said that it was a government-to-government process and would be possible only if the government of each country agreed to it, he said.
Vice Consul of the Chennai Consulate Thomas Montgomery was present.
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