Strengthening ties, US Consul General in Chennai virtually visits Thiruvananthapuram

CHENNAI: US Consul General in Chennai, Judith Ravin, paid a virtual visit to the Kerala's capital Thiruvananthapuram on July 13, reaffirming the strong ties that the United States has with the state of Kerala. During the day-long virtual visit, she discussed with leading figures and local organizations in the capital and explored the possibility of cooperation between the United States and Kerala on issues ranging from climate change mitigation to the fight against the Covid pandemic. In the online meeting held by Consul General Judith Ravin with the prominent persons, the contribution of women and youth in the growth and development of Kerala was discussed. The virtual visit of US Consulate General in Chennai to Thiruvananthapuram was based on US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's similar trips to Canada, Mexico and Kenya this year.

“While Covid-19 pose a challenge for travelling, it is essential to engage with our friends and partners in Kerala. My virtual visit to Thiruvananthapuram promoted US relations with this important state and provided an opportunity for both sides to discuss important issues of common interest. The day-long virtual visit gave me a lot of insight into Kerala's cultural heritage, socio - economic development, pluralistic thinking and a strong tradition of tolerance. I am now rich in ideas to further develop the relationship between the people and the institutions in Kerala and the United States, ”said Consul General Judith Ravin.

CV Raveendran, the director of International Airport, welcomed the Consul General Ravin to Thiruvananthapuram and started her virtual visit. The Consul General was then briefed by a senior economist and a renowned former technical administrator on Kerala's model development and Kerala's activities in traditional and innovative areas such as tourism, information technology, space technology, coastal infrastructure development, service sectors and innovations.

Afterwards, John M Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of Kerala IT Parks, briefed the Consul General on the virtual tour of Thiruvananthapuram's Technopark, the largest IT Park in India, under the Government of Kerala. Consul General Raveen met with representatives of seven leading US and Indian IT companies to learn about the current business climate in Kerala.

The Consul General then made a virtual visit to the alumni and trainers of the English Access Micro Scholarship Program (Access) conducted by the US Consulate General in Chennai in collaboration with the Women's Muslim Association and Loyola College Society in Thiruvananthapuram. Access is a program that provides basic language proficiency lessons to students ages 13 to 20. Dr. CA Lal, Associate Professor at University of Kerala, who is an Access trainer and has participated in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) conducted by the US State Department, moderated the discussion.

During the meeting with prominent women leaders working in the fields of research, entertainment, entrepreneurship and NGOs, Consul General Ravin discussed issues faced by women, government initiatives to promote the values ​​of women empowerment, gender equality and equality in Kerala.

Dr. Gopakumaran Nair, Head of Department of History at Government Arts College, presented to the Consul General in detail the important landmarks of Thiruvananthapuram, their connection with city's heritage and the features of modern Thiruvananthapuram and Kerala.

The Consul General's virtual visit to Thiruvananthapuram concluded with a cultural evening featuring the great art forms of Kerala. Koodiyattam, Kathakali and Mohiniyattam presented by Margi Centre for Kathakali and Koodiyattam and Dasyam Dance Institute, a combination of modernity and tradition, marked the end of Consul General Ravin's "America with Kerala" journey.