Many 'vote' for Barrack Obama, Romney in Manipal

 The US Consulate General (Chennai) organised an unique ‘Election Watch’ event in the background of ongoing presidential elections, at Hotel Fortune Inn Valley View in Manipal on Wednesday.

The programme was an attempt to create the atmosphere of virtual reality that brought live the activities and actions in the process of the US Presidential elections.

There was an opportunity to cast the vote for the people gathered and express their support to President Barrack Obama and his opponent Republican candidate Mitt Romney.

The event unfolded with an informal inauguration by the Manipal University Pro Chancellor Dr H S Ballal.

Speaking on the occasion, US Consulate (Chennai) Cultural Affairs Officer Shanna Surendra said US Consulate Chennai decided to reach out to more places this time and the result was the event 'Election Watch' that was held in Manipal and Thiruvananthapuram besides Chennai in South India.

US Consulate Chennai itself would always celebrate democratic process through polling by organising such events, she added.

Briefing over the preference given to Manipal, Shanna said that Manipal University is a prestigious and specific University around the globe and there are innumerable wonderful people including students’ from many countries.

“Usually we hold programmes in Chennai only. American public continue to exercise their right every passing event and reaffirm the values of democracy that says by the people and of the people,” she said.

The event was exceptional with a panel discussion that was live telecasted over the big screen. Besides, there was also quiz contest over various histories concerning US presidents and the White House.

The big screen also brought the election analysis by CNN and IBN and other media outlets live to the spectators.  US Ambassador to India Nancy Jo Powell who addressed the gathering through teleconference said the elections went on lively where both sides have put their cases forward with energy and enthusiasm.

Countless Americans walked into polling stations to cast their right, regardless of the outcome. I do know that you can look forward to a close relationship that our two countries share. The relationship with India will continue to flourish. The big story is that who will win the White House, she added.

Speaking on the occasion through Google chat, Social media expert and also Journalism Professor in Columbia University Professor Srinivasan briefed over the role of social media network in playing deciding factor. He said the social media network is getting much more into the mainstream and it was obvious with social media network result that Obama could win, he added.

The event had dignitaries like US Consulate General Consulator Service Chief Nicholas Manring, Manipal University Chancellor Dr Ramdas Pai and IGP Western Range Prathap Reddy.

Finally, the event gave a pinch of know-how to the people who assembled here at Fortune Inn Valley View in India over the presidential elections in US through virtual reality.