Ambassador Roemer reaches out to Bihar

Ambassador Roemer visited Bihar Feb 4-5, 2010, for the first time. Ambassador Roemer met state CM Mr. Nitish Kumar. He also launched an online Album of Scientific Instruments at the Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library Patna. The Ambassador and his wife visited SammaaN Foundation and Harijan Durja Public School.

Hyderabad ‘Rocked’ by Hurricane Bells

The American rock band Hurricane Bells, known for its hit song “Monsters” (featured in “The Twilight Saga: New Moon”) enthralled rock music buffs in Hyderabad at Hard Rock Café and Prasads Imax. “Both evenings were truly special,” said Steve Schiltz, founder and frontman of the four-member rock band. “And when we learnt that we were the first foreign band to play at Hard Rock Café in Hyderabad it was even more thrilling and exciting.  It was a great experience.”     

Ambassador greets winners of NASA-Boeing contest

United States Ambassador Timothy J. Roemer met Indian and Pakistani student winners of the Sixteenth Annual International Space Settlement Design Competition at the U.S. Embassy, February 2, 2010. “This group of Indian and Pakistani students are together designing the future of our civilization – one with few limitations of geographical boundaries. I congratulate them on their joint achievement, wish them well in their travels to NASA, and look forward to hearing about their experiences in the United States,” said Ambassador Roemer. (more)

U.S. Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Judith McHale, U.S. Ambassador Timothy J. Roemer and Minister of External Affairs and Fulbright alumnus S.M. Krishna lit the ceremonial lamp, February 2, 2010 to kick off the celebration of 60 years of Fulbright scholarships and exchanges between the U.S. and India.

• Ambassador Roemer Remarks at the USIEF 60th Foundation Day, February 2, 2010

Roemers join hands for saving lives, donate at blood bank

Ambassador Timothy J. Roemer and his wife, Sally Roemer, donate blood at the Rotary Blood Bank, Tughlakabad in New Delhi on January 29, 2010. Ambassador Roemer visited the facility and congratulated the Rotarians for their exemplary efforts in saving human lives. (more)

America Committed to Global Engagement, President Obama

In his first State of the Union address to Congress, President Barack Obama re-affirmed U.S. leadership to halt the threat of nuclear weapons, to fight climate change and to stand on the side of freedom and human dignity. The speech —directed to the American people—focused on domestic issues such as the economy, jobs, health care and education. But President Obama also highlighted America’s commitment to global engagement, saying, “As we have for over sixty years, America takes these actions because our destiny is connected to those beyond our shores.”  Click here to read full text

Consul General Visits Flood Hit Kurnool

U.S. Consul General Cornelis M. Keur and his wife Sommay visited Kurnool to help members of the non-governmental organization Help Hyderabad to distribute sewing machines, push carts and other assistance to victims of the flood, January 29,2010. The assistance was to help local people regain their economic livelihood.  The Consul General and members of Help Hyderabad also recognized "the heroes and heroines" of the October 2009 floods. Help Hyderabad has been working to help the people of Kurnool since the devastating floods.

Top U.S. official in India for education dialogue

Giving fresh impetus to the already strong U.S.-India ties in the field of education and academic exchange, the U.S. Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, Judith McHale, will visit India on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF). (more)
 

Peter Sokolowski:  America’s Dictionaries Reflect Changing Language

Merriam-Webster Editor at Large Peter Sokolowski delivered three well-received talks about the history of America’s first dictionary, the role of Noah Webster and how dictionary compilers document word usage.  Sokolowski spoke to students and professors at the English and Foreign Language University and at University of Hyderabad, January 23, 2010. (more) 

Consul General Shares Smiles with Children

Consul General and Mrs. Keur participated in Marg Foundation’s “Spreading Smiles” event for approximately 1000 children without families, Sunday, January 23, 2010.  For four hours volunteers, such as the Consul General and Mrs. Keur, helped the children enjoy a huge roomful of games and toys:  A Bouncy Castle, relays, games and competitions, all aimed to provoke laughter and fun. (more) 
  

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Secretary Clinton defines U.S. policy on upholding Internet freedom

Internet freedom is essential to upholding human rights and encouraging economic prosperity, and the United States plans to aggressively promote Internet access for all peoples, said Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. “We stand for a single Internet where all of humanity has equal access to knowledge and ideas,” Clinton said in a groundbreaking foreign policy speech delivered January 21, 2010 at Washington’s Newseum. (اردو) 

• Transcript with questions & comments

Queries on new visa application answered

Change doesn’t have to be stressful or difficult. We think the new on-line non-immigrant visa form we are introducing in India from Jan 19, 2010 will make the visa process more efficient. Do you want to learn more? Non-Immigrant Visa Chief Fredric Stern, answered questions about the new form from listeners on the popular radio station, BIG 92.7 FM.   Click here to listen the show.

Deputy Chief of Mission Steven White lauds Students of English in Hyderabad

U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Steven White spent two days in Hyderabad, January 19 and 20, 2010 meeting with prominent business and political leaders and U.S.-funded English language students.  Mr. White distributed certificates of participation to students in the Access Microscholarship Program. The program, managed by the CAP Foundation in Hyderabad, provides training in English language skills to bright, disadvantaged students, aged 14 to 18. The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs funds the program in India and elsewhere in the world.

Sec. of Defense Gates meets Prime Minister Singh

U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates met Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on January 19, 2010 during a two-day visit to India. The Secretary also met External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna and Defense Minister A. K. Antony to discuss issues ranging from enhanced defense cooperation to cyber security.

Transcript of Sec. of Defense Robert M. Gates Press Conference
 

U.S. Government Rolls Out New Application Form

Consular posts in India will soon require the use of the newly-developed DS-160 web-based Non-Immigrant Visa (NIV) application for all visitors to the United States. This new form will incorporate all existing NIV applications into one interactive, online form. For all NIV visa appointments beginning February 1, 2010, applicants will be required to fill out the DS-160 form, which will be available online January 19, 2010. Press release (اردو)  (हिंदी) 

SPAN turns 50

SPAN magazine will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2010 and Consulate General Hyderabad is looking forward to a special celebration with readers of the iconic magazine.  Meanwhile, Span's writers are preparing some very special anniversary issues.  They'd like to hear from families who have been reading the magazine for three generations or more. If you and your family members are old readers of SPAN, share your experiences ! E-mail SPAN on editorspan@state.gov.