Date:25/08/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/08/25/stories/2006082519440400.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

`Educational Perspectives' opened

Staff Reporter

Aimed at creating health awareness and teaching English

CHENNAI: The Chennai Chapter of Educational Perspectives, an international student group, was inaugurated by David T. Hopper, United States Consul-General of South India, at M.G.R. Janaki College for Women.

The chapter, founded at the Centre for Social Concern, Johns Hopkins University, is the first in India. The Indian chapter is represented by 20 students of the Youth Red Cross and the Red Ribbon Club of the college.

Principal Usha Krishnan said Educational Perspectives was aimed at creating awareness in public health and life-skills, besides upgrading the English language skills among the under-privileged students.

Fifteen students from Educational Perspectives, U.S., have come to serve in Sevalaya as part of their overseas summer camp. The students will teach English and create health and AIDS awareness. Six students of the college will take part in the summer camp, which will benefit 700 students in the age group of three-17. Mr. Hopper said HIV/AIDS was a big issue all over the world, especially in India. It was good that Educational Perspectives was addressing the issue. Anisha Narayan, president, Educational Perspectives, Chennai Chapter, made a presentation on the role of the chapter members.

Carmen Kut, founder and president, Educational Perspectives, said the focus was on HIV/AIDS awareness and teaching English.

"It is meant to be an international movement, and we are committed to doubling our number of chapters this year."

Anita Sivaraman, founder of the Chennai chapter, Rajashree Vasudevan, cultural-co-ordinator and V.C. Santhi Lakshmi, vice-principal of the college, participated.