| The visit of Princess Benedikte of Denmark to Chennai was an occasion for the Sanmar Group to renew the strong ties between the group and Denmark. Sanmar’s Danish connection dates back to 1947 when Chairman Emeritus K S Narayanan first visited the country on a training programme. In 1975, K S Narayanan became the first Indian to assume office as Consul for Denmark. He held this honorary post till 1989, handing over charge to the present Consul, N Sankar. |
| On a recent visit to India, Princess Benedikte spent much of her time on her pioneering work in diabetes research and control, particularly in a meeting of Chennai’s Diabetes Research Foundation and visiting the Arvind Eye Hospital in Madurai. |
On March 12, 2004, N Sankar and Chandra Sankar hosted a dinner for the royal entourage, which was attended by a select list of invitees. One of the highlights of the evening was a brief ceremony to honour S B Prabhakar Rao, President-Corporate Affairs, Chemplast Sanmar, who is the Vice Consul for Denmark in South India. Princess Benedikte presented Prabhakar Rao with the Belonningsmedalje Med Krone in recognition of his outstanding services to the Danish cause in India for over 25 years. The first Indian to be so honoured, Prabhakar Rao received a silver medallion with a picture of Margrette-II, Queen of Denmark and the royal crown
on top. The Ambassador for Denmark, Michael Sternberg, applauded Prabhakar Rao’s contribution in furthering Indo-Danish relations. |
| The Princess also visited the 17th Century Danish settlement of Tranquebar (Tarangambadi) or the Fort of Dansborg as the Danes originally called it. The neglected settlement is now being developed as a tourist site, with funding from the Danish monarchy and a voluntary agency. |
| Chandra Sankar looks on as N Sankar greets the Princess. Also in the picture is Ambassador Michael Sternberg. |
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| The Princess is seen here with K S Narayanan. |
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| S B Prabhakar Rao being decorated with the Belonningsmedalje Med Krone by Princess Benedikte |
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