Wednesday, March 08, 2006

Hyderabad to get US Consulate

Finally, Hyderabad got what is has been clamouring for all these years. President George Bush Jr announced the setting up of a US consulate in the twin cities. This is a welcome news for thousands of visa applicants who have to travel to Chennai, stand in the long, serpentine queues for hours on end.

The consulate will start functioning from the Dilkusha Guest House, next to Raj Bhavan. From the security perspective the building is quite safe, as anyone wishing to enter the building will have to drive in at least 500 meters. That will keep out any would be suicide bombers, who always target American government establishments around the globe. By October 2007, a new consulate will come up in the IT city at Madhapur. Surely, US security experts would have worked out the blue prints to ensure that the building and its occupants are safe from any harm which might be planned by lunatics.

The US Consulate is good news for the citizens of the twin cities and the state. It will also a big boon for thousands of Indian born Americans who are from the state. They not only form a big voting block, but also provide substantial funding to both Democrats and the GOP. Soon, the German, French and Canadian governments are expected to follow suit by setting up their consulates in the city.

Now that's what makes Hyderabad a global city. Cheers!

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