Remarks by U.S. Consul General in Calcutta Henry V. Jardine at the U.S. Ambassador's Cultural Fund Award Ceremony

Hotel Maurya, Patna
September 22, 2005

I am very excited to be here today and to represent Ambassador Mulford in announcing the grant of US $22,500 (approximately Rs. 968,000) from the Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation to the East and West Educational Society in Patna.

At every meeting since my arrival in Calcutta this August, I have reiterated how fortunate I am to have been posted in India at this time.  This, indeed, is a very special time in the history of Indo-U.S. relations.  The ties between the two countries have never been better, and a close partnership has developed between Prime Minister Singh and President Bush.  I am certain that this bond is going to be even broader and deeper in the coming months and years. 

In addition, the U.S.-India relation today is no longer limited to the "rarified" world of diplomatic parleys, and dialogues between the political leadership of the two countries.  Today, the points of contact have expanded to every possible area - diplomats, industrialists and businessmen, the scientific community, educators, law enforcers, environmentalists, NGO workers, and students.  Critical to the success of our expanded dialogue is the recognition of the great contributions each nation brings to our partnership.  The United States recognizes the importance of India's great history and cultural heritage and wishes to assist in its preservation.

I am glad to say that this belief has been translated into action in the form of the Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation.  This year the Fund has decided to award a total of $37,500.00 to two projects in India.  The larger share of that money -- $22,500.00, that is roughly Rs. 968,000 - goes to the East and West Educational Society, Patna.  This award is to fund a project for surveying of 25 districts in the state of Bihar to document Islamic and Hindu 15th and 16th century architecture, and identify buildings for future preservation.  The project also intends to showcase the co-existent Hindu and Islamic heritage during the medieval period.  The Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library will assist the East and West Education Society in an advisory and consultative role, and will organize lectures for the general public, and workshops for NGOs, archaeologists, and urban planners.
     
The East and West Education Society and the Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Library have made great strides in preserving Bihar's cultural heritage.  It is my pleasure, therefore, to announce the United States Government's support of their work to hand over to the Society a check for $22,500, and a congratulatory letter from our Ambassador to India, Mr. David C. Mulford.

Thank you.