The U.S. Consulate General in Chennai celebrated the 246th anniversary of U.S. independence as well as 75 years of U.S.-India partnership in Chennai.

FREMONT, CA: The U.S. Consulate General in Chennai commemorated both the 75th anniversary of US-India cooperation and the 246th anniversary of American independence. The adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, is remembered on Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July in the United States. Consul General Judith Ravin presided over the ceremony. Thangam Thennarasu, the Minister for the Department of Industries, the Minister for the Tamil Official Language, the Minister for Tamil Culture, and the Minister for Finance and Human Resources Management, Dr Palanivel Thiaga Rajan attended as Chief Guests on behalf of the government of Tamil Nadu. Acting Deputy Chief of Mission (A/DCM) for the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi Brian Heath presided over the celebration this year from the Consul General's residence in Chennai. A slideshow outlining significant events from the last 75 years of U.S.-India diplomatic relations was shown at the event. The national anthems of India and the United States were performed by Chennai-based neo-jazz vocalist Susha Raja.        

A/DCM Heath addressed the audience and discussed the close relationship between the US and India. How both the nations are addressing some of the most urgent problems facing the world, he continued, united in this shared purpose. The United States and India are working together in almost every sphere of endeavor to better the lives of people and advance the common good of humanity, from combating the climate crisis to leading the global pandemic response and promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific. The fact that this collaboration is 75 years old shows how important U.S.-India cooperation has been in achieving a more wealthy, free, connected, and secure world as well as how much room there remains for the partnership to expand. He also expressed gratitude to the visitors for their contribution to the close ties between the two nations. You are boosting our bilateral commerce and investment, working to battle new health risks and address climate change, encouraging innovation across a variety of industries, and exchanging best practices through academic and professional exchanges. 

Thangam Thennarasu, the minister of industries, and Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, the minister of finance, were present to speak on behalf of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. To celebrate both the 75th anniversary of the U.S.-India collaboration and Independence Day in the United States, Industries Minister Thennarasu sent greetings. Observing that Tamil Nadu has some inherent advantages in seaports and airports and is strategically located for industrial expansion, he welcomed American corporations to invest in the state. Because of the state's progressive and proactive leadership, it is currently a popular location for investment. For the occasion, Chennai-based Bespoke designer and quilt maker Cognac by Manjeri developed a signature work that blends American quilt designs that were used to help enslaved people travel the underground railroad to freedom in the late eighteenth century. Early American folk art that is still in demand today is quilting. The artwork combines the meaning of Juneteenth and Flag Day, the two bookends for U.S. national festivals in June.