The US Consulate in Calcutta celebrated the 242nd American Independence Day. Only t2 was there
TT Bureau
Published 09.07.18, 12:00 AM
(L-R) US consul-general Craig L. Hall with wife Meeryung; Marykay L. Carlson, deputy chief of mission, embassy of USA, New Delhi; and Jeffrey Sexton, minister-counsellor for public affairs, embassy of USA, New Delhi, with wife Olga at the 4th of July celebrations at JW Marriott on Wednesday. “During this time in America, the weather is usually lovely, so barbecue is a must. It is a day we feel connected to the whole world and we really love the warm welcome we are receiving here,” said Sexton.
(L-R) Carlson raises a toast with Atri Bhattacharya, home secretary, government of Bengal; Sexton and Hall
British deputy high commissioner Bruce Bucknell with wife Henrietta Dorrington-Ward
Italian consul-general Damiano Francovigh with wife Barbara
Craig L. Hall with wife Meeryung and son Tyler. “I spend 4th of July with friends and family and a lot of good food is cooked at home,” said Tyler.
Japanese consul-general Masayuki Taga
German consul-general Michael Feiner
German deputy consul-general Jurgen Thomas Schrod
From raising a toast to greeting guests from various walks of life, the US Consulate in Calcutta celebrated the 242nd American Independence Day on July 4 at JW Marriott. The banquet was decked out in blue and red to mark the special occasion.
“The American revolutionary war had already begun and the Declaration meant that there was no turning back. It would be another six years until the war was over and 11 years until the ideals of the Declaration were inculcated in the US constitution, so we don’t mark tonight the beginning of America’s revolutionary war, we don’t recognise America’s founding and it’s not the adoption of US constitution that we commemorate. Rather, we honour the landmark Declaration that all people everywhere, no matter their place, are endowed with sovereignty,” said Craig L. Hall, the US consul-general in Calcutta.
“We are celebrating liberty. Americans invite all people to celebrate with us, people who already enjoy the fruits of liberty. I am happy to be marking this year’s celebration of the Declaration in India, because Indians, like Americans, can attest that freedom is a powerful force and indeed something worth celebrating,” he added.
Guests also took the opportunity to say goodbye to Craig Hall, whose term in Calcutta ends this month. “We are leaving Calcutta with a full heart. We’ve had a very meaningful experience here and we have made many friends and met many of them tonight, so it’s not an easy departure for us. It was nice that this event was right before our departure,” said Hall.
SONG & DANCE
“This is one day when no one goes to work. We go for picnics and play volleyball and badminton. It is a community celebration,” said Jamie Dragon, the director of American Center in Calcutta, before getting on the dance floor with wife Chini, who dressed up in red and blue to match the spirit of the night.
“In America we spend a lot of time outdoors. We go to the lake and the swimming pool, eat fried chicken and watermelon and in the evening there is fireworks. I love how everyone has come together to celebrate this day in Calcutta,” said Carlson.
Jay Treloar, the deputy director of American Center, strikes a pose with wife Diana
Fabrice Plançon, director of Alliance Francaise du Bengale, pulled off a Michael Jackson pose
Pianist Sourendro Mullick
Vocalist Soumyojit Das performed the Indian national anthem.
Rodney Cunningham, management officer, US Consulate General
Lee Calkins, consular chief, US Consulate General
Madelyn Mahon, vice consul, US Consulate General
Kantha revivalist Shamlu Dudeja
Sanjukta Bose, director of IIHM
PR veteran Rita Bhimani
Sunita Kumar
Jawhar Sircar, former Prasar Bharati CEO
Folk arts curator Nandita Palchoudhuri
“Back at home, we cook and listen to music in our backyard. I am happy that I am getting to celebrate this day with everyone here. Craig and Meeryung will be missed not just by us but the whole of Calcutta,” said Sheena Hall, general service officer, US Consulate General.
“In America, this day is all about parades, barbecue and fireworks. From food to cocktails, everything we have here today was made keeping this day in mind,” said vice consul Julie Espinosa, who turned up in a salwar kurta because of her love for Indian textiles.
Educationist Bharati Roy
Sanjay Budhia of Patton with Minu
Chef Shaun Kenworthy with wife Pinky
Father Felix Raj, vice-chancellor of St. Xavier’s University
Jungle Crows founder Paul Walsh
Percussionist Tanmoy Bose
Tennis pro Enrico Piperno with wife Samira
Nayantara Palchoudhuri, honorary consul of Norway
(R-L) Farah Zaki, St. James’ School principal Terence Ireland with wife Gouri, JW Marriott Calcutta general manager Gaurav Singh and Imran Zaki of FACES
The JW Marriott kitchen baked a special cake with the US stars and stripes
Text: Malancha Dasgupta
Pictures: B. Halder
A correction. July 9, 2018.
An earlier version of this report had referred to Jawhar Sircar as Prasar Bharati CEO. He is a former CEO of Prasar Bharati. The error is regretted.
