American Center Hosts Night of American Music

American musicians Michael Braudy (violin), Ehren Hanson (tabla) and Camila Celin (guitar) performed at the American Center on February 3. The program included contemporary and traditional American music compositions.

U.S.A. will be the Theme Country for  the 35th International Kolkata Book Fair

Consul General Beth Payne participated in the prize distribution ceremony organized by the Publishers and Book Sellers Guild at the UBI Auditorium of the International Kolkata Book Fair on February 5. The CG declared that the U.S.A. will be the focal theme country for the 35th International Kolkata Book Fair in 2011.

USIEF Celebrates 60 Years

Consul General Beth Payne visited the Kolkata office of the United States – India Educational Foundation (USIEF) to congratulate the staff on the 60 year anniversary of the Foundation. The CG also had a meeting with USIEF Executive Director Adam Grotsky, visiting from the New Delhi office.

U.S. Consulate Organizes Debate at Kolkata Book Fair  

On February 3, the Kolkata American Library sponsored a debate on “The Internet and Cell Phone Will Not Make Me A Better Writer” for selected college students. The American Library participates each year in the Fair with a variety of activities.

Consul General (CG) Inaugurates Diamond Jubilee Celebrations

In Kolkata, CG Beth A. Payne inaugurated the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of the All Bengal Women’s Union Primary School.  In her remarks, Ms. Payne stressed on the need to educate the young women, and shared some perspectives about the important role that education plays in society.

Consulate Official Highlights Clean Energy Initiatives

On February 2, the American Center’s Deputy Director spoke on “Clean Energy” to more than 70 members of the Rotary Club in Kolkata.   A film on “Environmental Issues & Human Impact” was screened afterwards.

Kolkata PAO Distributes Certificates to Madrassa Teachers at Book Fair

On January 27, Kolkata’s Public Affairs Officer presented certificates to 35 teachers of English from local Madrassas.  The educators completed a ten-day English Language Skill Course conducted by Kolkata based English Language Fellow Daniel Stead.

American Center Connects Microscholarship Teachers with Dictionary Editor 

On January 28 the Kolkata American Center arranged for English Access Microscholarship teachers from Kolkata and Murshidabad to participate into an interactive session with Peter Sokolowski, the editor of the Merriam-Webster Dictionary.  They met via Digital Video Conference and discussed developments in the English language. 

Consul General Beth Payne inaugurates the American Center pavilion at the 2010 Kolkata Book Fair

On January 25th  Consul General Beth Payne inaugurated the American Center pavilion during the launch of Kolkata’s 34th International Kolkata Book Fair.  Ms. Payne welcomed enthusiastic book readers to the pavilion and encouraged  visitors to take full advantage of the available resources to learn more about American literature.  The book fair will last from January 27 to February 7.

Peter Sokolowski, Editor of Merrium Webster Collegiate Dictionary interacts with English Language teachers

On January 22, 2010 Peter Sokolowski, a Merrium Webster editor,  addressed  approximately 60  English Language teachers  from  local schools and colleges. The topic of discussion, “American Dictionaries Past, Present and Future,” was well received and participants asked many pertinent questions.

Kolkata’s CG Beth Payne with the 2010 Kolkata and Eastern India Spelling Bee winners

About one hundred students from the best schools in Kolkata, plus finalists from the Siliguri and Patna spelling bees, enthusiastically participated in the 2010 Eastern Region Spelling Bee final contest at the American Center on January 19 and January 21, 2010.  Consul General Beth A. Payne gave away prizes and certificates to the winners. 

Jazz Duo, Guitarist Freddie Bryant and Percussionist Gilad Dobrecky in performance at the Calcutta School of Music on January 20, 2010.

Goodwill ambassadors , the jazz duo, Bryant and Dobrecky performed at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur (IIT), annual youth festival, “Springfest” for over 1000 students on January 21 and for jazz aficionados of Congo Square, Kolkata  at the Dalhousie Institute, Kolkata on January 22, 2010.