BENGALURU: Good morning and warm greetings to you all. I am delighted to be here this morning for presenting the “Certificate of Achievement” to the students who successfully completed the “English Access Microscholarship Program” at Government High School in Uttarahalli.
I am very impressed with the School and CSA team for their vision and commitment to empower these young students, and I thank them for their support.
English plays a key role in the deep friendship, respect, and understanding that the United States and India have for each other.
Access is a groundbreaking program that opens doors for young people as they learn language and leadership skills that will serve them a lifetime.
Students – young people like you who can communicate effectively in English will have more opportunities available to you, and brighter futures for yourselves and your families / communities.
There are more than a 100,000 Indian students who are studying in the United States, and many thousands more who travel and work there. I have no doubts that many of you in this room today will either study in or travel to the United States sometime in the near future.
So keep constantly using your language skills, so that you will speak fluently and confidently, and can take active roles in your communities as well.
I feel this is a great opportunity for the U.S. and India to collaborate on the education programs that opens doors for young people as they learn the language and leadership skills that will serve them a lifetime.
The program has been a resounding success for the past ten years and has inspired its participants to continue on in pursuit of advanced degrees, tutor their fellow classmates in English, and to take positions in the private sector. Over this time, ten Access students have received year-long scholarships to study in the U.S., and we expect future scholarship winners from this group also.
I would like to thank Trainers Vijaya Subramaniam and Mangalam Neelakantan, and the Access faculty for sparing your valuable time to help these deserving children shine.
This is a great opportunity for the U.S. and India to collaborate on the educational programs that open doors for young people as they learn the language and leadership skills that will serve them a lifetime.
On behalf of the U.S. Consulate General, I sincerely thank the committee members of the school, Ms. Sayeed Yasmin Sultana, Head Mistress, and other team members of the school for giving us (CSA, U.S. Consulate in Chennai and our Regional English Language Office in New Delhi) the opportunity to add to your efforts in educating these young boys and girls.
My special thanks to CSA team for your excellent coordination and successful implementation of the program.
My best wishes to the students for their bright future.
