Remarks of Consul General Beth A. Payne at Book Donation Program at Presidency College

August 2, 2010

Principal, Professor Chatterjee
Head of the English Department, Professor Debaleena Banerjee
Faculty members and Students

Nomoshkar

I am glad to visit one of the oldest premier institutions in Kolkata, Presidency College, once again. I am sure you are all proud and happy that your illustrious institution has recently been upgraded to the status of a full unitary university. Thank you for welcoming me to present 200 titles for the “American Corner”--an initiative of the Department of English, that started in 2008 when the Regional English Language Office(RELO) in Delhi coordinated the visit of the American expert, John Silver, to conduct a workshop on language teaching skills at Presidency College.

Later, former Assistant Public Affairs Officer, Mr. Moulik Berkana’s address on American Civilization and Culture to the students of the English department generated a great deal of interest in learning more about American literature, society and culture. Although the “American Corner” will be housed in the English Department, students and faculty members of the other social science departments, I am sure, will also gain access to books on American literature, history and politics.

I consider myself very fortunate to be here, at a time when relations between the United States and India are moving towards a stronger global partnership. Education is an area where the United States and India have forged deep and strong ties. The United States offers high-quality university education and currently Indian students are the largest group of international students in the United States.  Given that your institution has recently been granted university status, the establishment of an “American Corner” is timely. As the institution expands, it could re-frame the existing curriculum--initiate new area studies by moving out of the South Asian/Indian paradigms and taking a more global approach while formulating a curriculum that would also include American Studies.

During my tenure in Kolkata, I have noted a growing interest in promoting American Studies as a discipline in eastern Indian universities. I know that American Studies is currently in a nascent stage, but we expect this trend to continue to grow.  The American Center very often holds programs on American literature, history and politics, discussing possibilities of taking American Studies programs forward in eastern India universities. American Studies is an interdisciplinary field that examines culture--the shared system of beliefs, behavior, symbols and material objects through which we have given meaning to our lives.

I encourage you to continue pursuing the effort to promote new area studies in your institution.  The creation of the American Literature Study Circle, our renowned American Library, the Orissa Association of American Studies, the American Studies Program at St. Stephen’s College, Delhi, and even the return of American Studies Research Center, Hyderabad, in its new avatar--Osmania University Center for International Programs (OUCIP) are some good examples of individual and collective initiatives to promote American Studies in India.

The United States-India strategic partnership in the field of education is work in progress. The momentum and quality of this bilateral relationship needs constant nurturing for a happily-ever-after result for both democracies and the world community.

I firmly believe that the opening of the American Corner in Presidency College will be a major step forward in generating the growth of American Studies in the coming years!   
     
Thank you!