KIAS (Kolkata Indian American Society)

Any visionary project at the first stage of its development seems to be inapprehensible . But today in the days of closer Indo American relationship , this is not very difficult to understand the need for promoting research on the Indo – American culture in which the South Asian universities can play a very significant role. Kolkata Indo-American Society has been formed with this nobler vision and it strives to provide accurate comprehensive and current information on literature, media and culture studies in India and America. The response from the South Asian and European universities is tremendous. The Indian Universities are coming forward to open regional centers of KIAS in different part of India. Some have already joined and others are joining.

KIAS (www.kias.org.in) is a non-political non-profit and non-sectarian all inclusive forum for intellectual and cultural engagement. It aims at being recognized as a premier organization for activities that will promote Indo- US literature established in 2023 . This newly formed society is aiming to create a benchmark in excellence by synergizing India-US literary communicative and cultural initiatives in the days ahead seeking sincere support and patronization from the academic luminaries of Indian academic institutions. . It began its journey when its founder President Dr. Ratan Bhattacharjee as an Affiliate Faculty in Virginia Commonwealth University worked hard for procuring support from various forums of the VCU most remarkably from its Global Education Services , Robertson School of Media and Culture , and individually from a host of young and verteran faculty members and other top level officials including Dean Humanities and Director Humanties Research Centre even on the personal level. At present it should be made clear that the KIAS is not arranging any MOU signing of Indian Universities with VCU or any other American universities. Secondly, the society has no role to play for sending scholars to American universities But the Society will in future decide if any exchange programs can be arranged for promoting Indo American studies The vision is far greater as it encompasses an all inclusive areas for research and discussion. The Society will organize seminars and conferences and will publish newsletters regularly with the help of the regional centers in India . Annual General meetings will be arranged cyclically in the Regional Centers for deciding policies and principles for promoting in a better way the Indo American research.

The Society is getting connected to the Indian Diaspora in America and the USIS centers all over India for direct assistance and help. Efforts are endless and constant. The Society will include the members nominated/ elected from the regional centers which ae being formed in various Indian Universities which will coordinate the activities in future with its main office in Kolkata. . The Indo-American Society Kolkata will have a board of members representing all the regional centers which send their own representatives for the formation of the General Committee and the Executive Committee. The society will thus provide dedicated service of fostering India – US relationship in the fields of literature , media and culture studies. The regional centers will aim at activities that include lectures talks, symposia, forums discussions, conventions, conferences, seminars, Civilisation Courses , Refresher and Orientation Programs, AI Skill courses , Media and Communication courses. The society will time to time mobilize opinion regarding education plan or pedagogical techniques for India and America. It can organize various types of events, interactive meetings for the students and for IAS Members, inviting top officials from top universities , public and eminent figures of Indian and American societies. Annual General meetings will be held bi annually for electing new members for the Society. Membership drive will be the priority for the regional centers and an amount collected will be in a certain proportion as decided by the General Body in their bi annual meetings / urgently convened meetings and approved of by the Executive Committee will be sent for publishing journals, monographs , newsletters and arranging travel grants for the executive members. The formation of new regional centers all over India and even in a broader perspective in the South Asian countries reaching out to Europe ,Africa and Australia in the near future. Membership drive and Membership fees will be decided in the General Meetings of the Board of Presidents and Directors with the Core Committee of KIAS.

We have begun our journey with good wishes of all and we have miles to go together.