January 29, 2009

 

AMERICAN CENTER RELEASES FOUR BENGALI BOOKS
IN KOLKATA BOOK FAIR

KOLKATA -- In its effort to cater to the growing need of Bengali book lovers, the U.S. Consulate General Public Affairs Office formally released a set of four Bengali books in the American Center Pavilion at the Kolkata Book Fair on January 29. This is the first time that four titles in the popular "Outline Series," published by the United States Department of State's Bureau of International Information Programs (IIP) have been translated into Bengali. The titles include "Outline of U.S. History," "Outline of U.S. Government," "Outline of American Literature," and "Outline of the U.S. Economy." American Center Director Douglas G. Kelly said, "This is one of the major initiatives of the Public Affairs Section in promoting the awareness and study of U.S. foreign policy, society, and values among the Bengalis everywhere."

In addition to the above four titles, copies of the Bengali translation of a booklet on the Ambassadors' Fund for Cultural Preservation have also been kept in the American pavilion for display. The Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) administers the U.S. Ambassadors' Fund for Cultural Preservation, established by Congress to assist less-developed countries in preserving their cultural heritage. The U.S. Ambassadors' Fund for Cultural Preservation enables the U.S. to demonstrate its respect for other cultures.

Copies of these books are meant for distribution among the Bengali audience.

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