Speeches & Articles

Welcome Remarks
CONSUL GENERAL BETH A. PAYNE
At
“Election Watch”
The Galaxy, Park Hotel, Kolkata, November 5, 2008

November 5, 2008

Ladies and Gentlemen

“Nomoshkar”

I am very pleased to welcome you all to the 2008 U.S. Presidential “Election Watch” in Kolkata.  It is an honor to be in the world’s largest democracy watching the world’s oldest democracy vote for the new President of the United States. A record number of Americans are voting today not only for the President and Vice President, but also for Congressional representatives and state and local officials.

In addition to drawing record numbers of voters, this is a historic election for several reasons. First, this Presidential Election is the first in 80 years in which neither the incumbent president nor his vice president is running for the office of President.  Second, if John McCain wins, he will be the oldest person elected President of the United States at 72 years old.

Third, if McCain is elected president, Governor Sarah Palin will be America’s first female Vice President.  Finally, if Barack Obama is elected, he will be the first African-American President of the United States of America.
 
While I cannot predict the outcome of today’s election, I can predict that Indo-U.S. relations will continue to flourish in the coming years under either Presidential candidate.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the following American companies for their very generous contributions that helped make this historic celebration here in Kolkata a great success:

Cognizant Technology Solutions
Kuljian Corporation (India) Private Limited
Databazaar India
TCG Life Sciences Limited
Fi-Tek India
Labvantage Solutions
IXIA Technologies Private Limited
AES (India) Private Limited, Bhubaneswar

I would also like to thank the management of The Park Hotel for helping the U.S. Consulate host this event.

Please enjoy the morning and stay as long as you’d like.  We’ll have tea, coffee and refreshments throughout the day. Please help yourself to a souvenir and cast your vote!