he U.S. Consulate General Mumbai honored the winners of the photography contest, titled “Women Make It Happen,” at the inauguration of an exhibit of the photographs at NCPA Piramal Art Gallery on March 31. The contest, organized from February 17 to March 15, commemorated International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month. The contest theme underscored the shared commitment of the United States and India to the empowerment of women and girls. Thirteen winners in different categories were selected from over 400 entries from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. U.S. Consulate General Public Affairs Officer Philip Roskamp presented the awards to the winners. “We are extremely pleased that so many people are using their voices—and their cameras—to highlight the role of inspirational women,” he said at the inauguration ceremony. http://mumbai.usconsulate.gov/pr040115.html
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T.G. VENKATESH
NARAYAN PATEL, winner of the “Best Overall” category
he U.S. Consulate General Chennai opened its renovated American Library on April 8, with a new event space, video viewing pods, online kiosks, kids’ zone and much more. In addition to its collections on the social sciences, business, management and American literature, the library provides information on the United States, its democratic institutions, history and politics. A day before the reopening, U.S. Consul General Phillip A. Min (below right) met with 35 journalists and answered questions about the library. http://chennai.usconsulate.gov/resources.html
conference on “Building Pan Asian Connectivity” was held in Kolkata on March 10 and 11. It was hosted by the U.S. Consulate General Kolkata, the Center on American and Global Security at Indiana University and the Observer Research Foundation. The conference brought together business, academic, government and civilian experts from the United States, India and other Southeast Asian countries to examine the opportunities and obstacles as India and its neighbors take on greater roles in the region. It consisted of three sessions on issues related to security, environment and trade. Speaking on the role of the United States in the years ahead, Ambassador Richard R. Verma said in his keynote address, “We see our role as a convener, partner and supplier. We are committed to bringing together the countries of the region, the private sector firms, and prominent international financial institutions to identify where U.S. engagement could make the most difference.” http://cags.indiana.edu/bpac NASIM MUKHTAR
BHARATH KUMAR H.
mbassador Richard R. Verma visited Mysore in late March where he inaugurated the renovated building of the Oriental Research Institute, University of Mysore. Ambassador Verma also visited the Mysore Palace, JSS Polytechnic and a community of migrant workers (below). SELCO India and USAID India have partnered to provide this community, and others like it, with solar panels to improve their livelihood. http://goo.gl/4m0YkZ
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