Speeches and Remarks

Remarks by U.S. Consul General
Michael S. Owen
Visit to Jamia Ayesha Carewell Girls Model Madrassa, Indore

February 5, 2008

Assalaamu-Alaikum and Good Morning. 

President Abdul Haleem Khan, distinguished guests, teachers and students,

It is a privilege to visit the Jamia Ayesha Madrassa and to learn something about your madrassa’s achievements and aspirations.  Thank you very much for having us with you today. 

When I am among students, I feel a great sense of optimism for the future.

To President Khan and the entire team of dedicated teachers and patrons of Jamia Ayesha, congratulations on your successes in contributing to the education and future prospects of hundreds of young girls. 

To the students gathered here, congratulations for your hard work on your studies. 

Education is a wonderful gift.  It helps us to understand our environment, to value our relationships with those  around us, and to put our lives in the context of history and civilization. 

Education can make us leaders in our communities, whether in science, medicine, business, or raising healthy, caring families.  Education helps us to serve humanity. 

This week, the United States Consulate General and the American Center of Mumbai have brought “America Days” programs to Indore. 

America Days has educational exchange as its main purpose.   Americans believe that when people understand each other, they succeed in working together to solve problems. 

That is why I have come to Jamia Ayesha today, so that you can help me learn about your lives, your concerns, and your hopes for the future. 

My colleagues and I are also here to share with you some thoughts about American people, culture and values. 

During our America Days event, today and tomorrow, we will be talking with the people of Indore about our country, and about our hopes to continue the friendly relations we enjoy with India, for the benefit of both Indian and American citizens.  Experts on English language teaching, negotiation, environmental protection, and our Presidential elections will offer lectures and enjoy discussion with the people of Indore. 

Later today, I will be talking about America’s national sport, baseball.  It is something like cricket, but different in ways that speak about our country’s heritage.

The American Library has put on display a wonderful exhibition of books, periodicals, films, documentaries, and a poster show on U.S.-India relations in the sixty years since India’s independence.  I welcome you all to visit the exhibit at Holkar Science College’s Yashwant Hall.      

This year, Americans will elect a new President to govern our country.  It is a time when Americans think hard about what they expect from their leaders.  One thing is certain.  Americans want continued partnership with India. 

We are two stable democracies.  We have both achieved much in our own ways in the fields of science, engineering, literature and the arts.

We both want to play a positive role in shaping a world that will give future generations a safe, clean, and prosperous world to enjoy.

In today’s world, our air, our water, our telecommunications, and our economies are interconnected.  We need each others’ cooperation to survive.

We now have cooperation in many, many fields.  Together, we are discovering cures for diseases, solving water pollution problems, trying to avert violent conflict, and exploring ways to bring infrastructure, capital and economic growth to Americans and Indians who still face difficulty obtaining the education, health care, and jobs they need to prosper. 

Our countries share pride in the diversity of our populations.  They are diverse in their ethnic heritage, in their spiritual heritage, and in their beliefs and customs. 

Like India, Americans value the different perspectives that different communities bring to our nations.  We value the contributions of both men and women to our public dialogue. 

This year, for the first time, we expect to have either a woman, Senator Hillary Clinton, or an African-American, Senator Barack Obama, as our Democratic candidate for President.  We are proud of the progress our country has made since the days when women and African-Americans could not vote or own property.

We understand that we need many perspectives to make good decisions and to help guide our country in this era of globalization.

That is one reason the United States values educational and cultural exchange.  Our universities host nearly 80,000 Indian students and scholars among our 500,000 students from abroad.  They help Americans learn about India, and share their valuable insights with us. 

American students are coming to India in increasing numbers.  Educational exchange helps students prepare for careers.  More important, though, educational exchange helps students to understand the perspectives of others.  

I know many of you already speak two or more languages.  You should be proud of your linguistic skill, because it is one of the keys to understanding those in your community, country and the world. 

I am happy to learn that last year my colleagues in the American Center in Mumbai provided this institution a gift of books on English language learning--books that reflect American culture, people, economy and values.  I hope that those books will open doors for you and that your English language skill will help you make friends throughout the world.  Perhaps you will one day be one of the exchange students traveling to the United States to study, or hosting an American here in Indore.     

Thank you once again for your hospitality today. 

I wish you all great success in your hard work to build a strong future for your community, your generation, and all the future children of our world.