NE NEWS SERVICE
CHENNAI, JUNE 1
In a show of solidarity with its sister city Chennai, the city of San Antonio, Texas, has donated $10,000 for COVID-19 relief. Members of the Rotary Club of San Antonio donated $5,000 to the Rotary Club of Madras East as a token of the sister city’s support during this unprecedented time.
Anuja SA, a non-profit organization created to promote the Sister City alliance between San Antonio and Chennai, donated $5,000 to double the total donation to $10,000, says a release.
Chennai's Sister City @COSAGOV generously donated $10,000 to combat COVID-19 in Chennai. Thanks to the partnership b/w @Rotary Club of San Antonio, Rotary Club of Madras East & Anuja San Antonio. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/5Huiyk8eqy
— U.S. Consulate General Chennai (@USAndChennai) June 1, 2021
Commenting on this gesture, Chennai US Consul General Judith Ravin, said, “It is wonderful to witness two global communities come together through the Sister Cities program in times of need. While the global pandemic continues to cause uncertainty, it is precisely in these times that we are reminded we are all in this together.”
San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg in a message of support to Chennai said: “The past year has united us in a shared fight against a pandemic that has brought devastating loss to both of our communities.”
Watch Mayor @Ron_Nirenberg express support on behalf of fellow San Antonians #StrongerTogether🇺🇸🇮🇳 @Cosairo (2/2) pic.twitter.com/26eBHmFGTX
— U.S. Consulate General Chennai (@USAndChennai) June 1, 2021
He added: “San Antonio stands in support of those who are affected by the ongoing crisis in India. We have heard stories of the truly heroic actions of your healthcare workers, volunteers, friends, and family members who are working tirelessly to care for their neighbors and communities. We understand the toll that this virus has taken first hand, and we admire and respect such devotion and care. It is through this commitment that the crisis will be overcome. The relationship between Chennai and San Antonio is an important one and we are confident that we will continue to work together to fight COVID-19.”
The cities of Chennai and San Antonio signed a Sister City International agreement in 2008 to deepen cooperation between the two cities in trade, investment, and culture. For more than a dozen years, San Antonio has celebrated the Indian festival of Deepavali.
