Program Archives

President Bush Visits Hyderabad – New Consulate to Open in 2008

In March of 2006 President George W. Bush made a historic visit to India.  During his visit President Bush visited Hyderabad and announced that the U.S. intended to open a new consulate there.

President Bush: “India in the 21st century is a natural partner of the United States because we are brothers in the cause of human liberty.”  "India in the 21st century is a natural partner of the United States because we are brothers in the cause of human liberty. Yesterday, I visited a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, and read the peaceful words of a fearless man. His words are familiar in my country because they helped move a generation of Americans to overcome the injustice of racial segregation. When Martin Luther King arrived in Delhi in 1959, he said to other countries, "I may go as a tourist, but to India, I come as a pilgrim." I come to India as a friend.

For many years, the United States and India were kept apart by the rivalries that divided the world. That's changed. Our two great democracies are now united by opportunities that can lift our people, and by threats that can bring down all our progress. The United States and India, separated by half the globe, are closer than ever before, and the partnership between our free nations has the power to transform the world."

“To encourage more travel and more contact between our people, the United States intends to open a new consulate in Hyderabad.”

Location: Paigah Palace - Chiran Fort Lane - Begumpet, Secunderabad.

U.S. Consulate in Hyderabad Open by the End of 2008

The beautiful and historic Paigah Palace, built in the 1880’s will be the temporary home of the new U.S. Consulate in Hyderabad.  Fulfilling a promise made by President Bush when he visited Andhra Pradesh in March 2006, Ambassador David C. Mulford signed a lease on July 3 with the intention of starting operations by the end of 2008.

The new Consulate will be our fourth in India after ones in Chennai, Kolkata and Mumbai.  It will make it far easier for the people of Andhra Pradesh to apply for visas and obtain other services from the U.S. government.  According to Ambassador Mulford, the new consulate will give the United States a window on “a well-managed city, a city that works and a city that has a broad and diverse economic base.” The new Consulate will be our fourth in India after ones in Chennai, Kolkata and Mumbai.  It will make it far easier for the people of Andhra Pradesh to apply for visas and obtain other services from the U.S. government.  According to Ambassador Mulford, the new consulate will give the United States a window on “a well-managed city, a city that works and a city that has a broad and diverse economic base.”

The current project to prepare the historic Paigah Palace to house the U.S. Consulate is on schedule and we expect to begin visa operations by the end of the year.

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Mike Leavitt Visits South India

From January 6 to 9, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Mike Leavitt traveled to Chennai, Hyderabad and Kochi, after which he went to New Delhi for the last leg of his India tour.  Among his many stops and meetings in South India, sometimes accompanied by Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss, were an HIV/AIDS clinic at the Government Hospital of Thoracic Medicine in Tambaram, Loyola College in Chennai, pharmaceutical manufacturers in Hyderabad, and food and spice producers in Kochi.  The Secretary sought ways to increase Indo-U.S. collaboration to combat disease, and he noted the interest on the part of both countries to ensure the safety and quality of food and drug imports.

Announcing the 2009 International Fulbright Science And Technology Award For Outstanding Foreign Students

Application Deadline: May 1, 2008

Chennai, February 21, 2008: The United States Educational Foundation in India (USEFI) is pleased to announce the 2009 International Fulbright Science and Technology Award for Outstanding Foreign Students for Ph.D. study at top U.S. institutions in science, technology, or engineering. This award is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and is designed to be the most prestigious international scholarship in science and technology. (more)

State of the Union Address by the President

Chamber of the United States House of Representatives
United States Capitol

9:09 P.M. EST- THE PRESIDENT:  Madam Speaker, Vice President Cheney, members of Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow citizens:

Seven years have passed since I first stood before you at this rostrum.  In that time, our country has been tested in ways none of us could have imagined.  We faced hard decisions about peace and war, rising competition in the world economy, and the health and welfare of our citizens.  These issues call for vigorous debate, and I think it's fair to say we've answered the call.  Yet history will record that amid our differences, we acted with purpose.  And together, we showed the world the power and resilience of American self-government. (more)

Breast Cancer Awareness Programs Launched in Chennai and Hyderabad

Having amassed over 1 billion USD (Rs. 39.35 crores) to support breast cancer awareness and research programs, the Susan G. Komen foundation based in Dallas, TX came to India looking for Indian partners to raise awareness and reduce the stigma associated with the disease here in India. Breast cancer is the number one cancer afflicting Indian women today. To launch its India programs, about 150 volunteers, social workers, doctors and breast cancer survivors from Hyderabad and Chennai met with Ms. Cindy Schneible, Vice-President of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation during her visit to South India. Describing the successes of the Komen Foundation's fundraising and awareness events, including their signature event The Race for the Cure, Cindy Schneible illustrated innovative ways to market breast cancer awareness and bring corporate sponsors on board. From tips on how to approach corporate sponsors to specific examples of innovative marketing methods such as messaging on the back on cereal boxes or at high profile sporting events, Cindy Schneible offered those assembled a chance to understand the many ways in which the U.S. has succeeded in bringing the issue of breast cancer to the forefront of the public's consciousness. Ramon Magsaysay award winner Dr. V. Shantha, pioneer in the field of cancer care and awareness in India, gave a keynote address on the disease in India. Two breast cancer survivors also shared their experiences in fighting the disease and their own efforts at raising awareness in India. For more information about breast cancer awareness programs and to sign up to work with the Susan G. Komen foundation, please click here.