VCU news

By Mike Porter

Editor’s note: reporters are invited to cover the speakers at the kickoff event tonight, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Richmond Hilton Hotel and Spa/Short Pump, 12042 W. Broad St. 

Virginia Commonwealth University is launching a $1 million multi-year campaign to support a new India Chair in Democracy and Civil Society, the first of its kind in the United States, to be housed in the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs.

Indian Ambassador Nirupama Rao and Gov. Bob McDonnell will serve as keynote speakers tonight at the India Chair in Democracy and Civil Society Inaugural Dinner, with about 200 donors, elected officials and other leaders gathered together to launch the fundraising campaign.

“I applaud the initiative taken by VCU to establish the India Chair in Democracy and Civil Society to foster greater understanding about Indian democratic framework and in promoting inter-disciplinary studies across a wide array of subjects relating to India’s democracy, civil society, history and rich cultural diversities,” said Ambassador Rao. 

The governor noted that partnerships such as the India Chair are important for promoting economic growth and strengthening international relationships.

“As one of the largest universities in the Commonwealth of Virginia and located in our capital city, VCU is an ideal location to further the kind of cross-cutting interdisciplinary championing of ideas that is required of the India Chair in Democracy and Civil Society,” said McDonnell. “The India Chair has tremendous potential to become an important resource for the study of Indian democracy, history, culture and civil society for government and community leaders, academics, and the corporate sector throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia, the United States and beyond.”

VCU President Michael Rao said the India Chair provides an exciting opportunity for VCU, Richmond and Virginia.

“The chair will position us as leading partners with one of the world’s fastest-growing economies and offer opportunities for economic and cultural development,” said President Rao. “In addition, the chair will provide our students – the next generation of leaders- with a broader picture of India.”

The India Chair will lead the discussion about democracy by bringing experts on Indian art, culture, history, politics, economics, business relations and related areas to campus and the surrounding community.

“The India Chair in Democracy and Civil Society will bring scholars and thought leaders to Virginia Commonwealth University,” said Niraj Verma, director of the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, which is part of VCU’s College of Humanities and Sciences. “It will support activities among our students that further the aims of the chair and above all it will be a vehicle for the Greater Richmond community to participate in India in a way that engages the deepest meaning of values and friendship.”

Holders of the chair will visit VCU for short-term visits or longer stays of up to a year. The chair will host an array of speakers and events.

Visit http://www.wilder.vcu.edu/pdf/final_india_chair_one_pager.pdf to find out more about the campaign or contact Jen Thompson at jlthompson2@vcu.edu or at 804-828-2339.