Mike Cookson,Lord Mayor of New Castle,is on a special visit to the city The city has often attracted special visitors who have left smitten! Amongst the latest to arrive is Mike Cookson,Lord Mayor of New Castle,UK,who too is all in praise for the city. Cookson is here to hold talks regarding a cultural exchange programme between New Castle and Chandigarh. For the uninitiated,New Castle has two universities and a highly developed medical centre where large number of Indians particularly Punjabis are studying and working. We want the Asian community in New Castle to grow and flourish, says the Lord Mayor who feels very strongly against the racial discrimination taking place in some parts of the world against Indians. Culture is integral to every human being and should not be neglected, believes Cookson. Though he has been to India many times before,this is the first time that he is in Chandigarh. After a whirlwind tour covering Amritsar,Delhi and Shimla,Chandigarh,admits the Lord Mayor,has left him surprised. I am much impressed with the greenery in and around the city and the peaceful atmosphere. I am equally surprised to see the lush green gardens in the city. They remind me of New Castle that has similar gardens, he smiles to say. Accompanying him is his better half,Dorrie Cookson. So far the two have packed in a lunch at the Golf Club,a short walk at Sukhna lake and a visit to theRock Garden. Rock garden was the place that I liked the most. The idea of recycling is very innovative and it is a motivation for many others, admits the Lord Mayor who would be meeting the Mayor of Chandigarh soon.
