Gallantly Streaming Absentee Voting Video Contest

On July 11, 2012, in People, Voting, by Hyderabad ACS

Win $1,000 and have your video seen by thousands at FVAP.gov, while helping service members and American citizens overseas vote absentee.  Many U.S. citizens in the military and away from home may not vote because they think it’s too hard or worry their vote won’t be counted.  That’s why we want you to make a video to promote FVAP’s mission and help them — whether it be about a problem faced by absentee voters, the process itself, or the services provided by FVAP.

Your video should convey that it’s easier to cast a vote than one might think.  For example, if mailed from a U.S. post office, embassy, or consulate, it’s free to send an absentee ballot hard copy — postage paid.  Your video should clearly state FVAP.gov is an educational tool that makes the process easier, helping voters sort through next steps, including early registration and filling out their absentee ballots.

Here are the categories you can enter:

  1. How to use FVAP’s online FPCA and FWAB tools

Dear U.S. Citizen:

Greetings to all Americans in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha! As the Fourth of July draws near, I hope you take a moment to commemorate the ideals of our founding fathers. Even hundreds of years later, their fight for independence remains an inspiration for people across the world. In the days following independence, the founding fathers worked together to lay down the groundwork for a nation that holds freedom dear. One of the best ways to honor their memory is to exercise your right to vote. As you know, this year holds an important election. Whatever your political affiliation, if you are going to be outside of the U.S. in November, I encourage you to visit www.FVAP.gov now to request your absentee ballot. The U.S. Consulate Hyderabad is here for you, and we are happy to provide assistance mailing off your ballots once you have completed them. In addition to voting assistance, the consulate exists to provide many other services for American Citizens abroad.

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Hillary Rodham Clinton

Secretary of State Washington, DC
May 21, 2012

Thank you, Janice. Let me start by saying I’m sorry you’re here. I really truly am. I’m sorry that you’ve had this terrible experience of being separated from your child or your children. One day is too long, years is just unthinkable. There’s really not much that I or any of our officials can say that will fill the anger and frustration, disappointment, the big hole in the center of your hearts, but we wanted you to come today so at least you would know what we are trying to do to help you be reunited.

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Hyderabad police have placed the state of Andhra Pradesh on high alert as a result of the arrest of Congress Party chief Jaganmohan Reddy on Sunday evening.  According to media reports, the police announced a high alert across the state of Andhra Pradesh to guard against possible backlash by agitated supporters of the YSR Congress Party, including tight restrictions of the movement of vehicles and people. U.S. citizens traveling or residing in Andhra Pradesh are strongly encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance, remain aware of their surroundings, avoid crowed places, and monitor local news reports.

U.S. citizens traveling and residing abroad should enroll in the Smart Travelers Enrollment Program (STEP).  U.S. citizens without internet access may enroll directly at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate at their destination.  By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.

Updated information on travel and security may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  For further information, please consult the Worldwide Caution and other consular information, including Country Specific Information, for specific countries.  These products and the latest international travel information for U.S. citizens are available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs website. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well.  You can also download our free Smart Traveler iPhone app to have travel information at your fingertips.

U.S. citizens with questions or concerns may contact the American Citizens Services Unit of the Embassy or the Consulates General for further information:

  • The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi is located at Shanti Path, Chanakya Puri 110021; telephone +91-11-2419-8000; fax +91-11-2419-8587.  For after-hours emergencies, please call the 24-hour operator at (+91-11) 2419-8000 and ask for American Citizen Services.
  • The U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai (Bombay) is located at C-49, G-Block, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East, Mumbai 400051Phone: (22) 2672-4000.  For after-hours emergencies, please call the 24-hour operator at (+91-22) 2672-4000 and ask for American Citizens Services. If you are calling from within India, but outside Mumbai, first dial 022.
  • The U.S. Consulate General in Chennai (Madras) is at 220 Anna Salai, Gemini Circle, 600006, telephone +91-44-2857-4000; fax +91-44-2811-2027.  For after-hours emergencies, please call the 24-hour operator at (+91-44) 2857-4000 and ask for American Citizen Services. If you are calling from within India, but outside Chennai, first dial 044-.
  • The U.S. Consulate General in Kolkata (Calcutta) is at 5/1 Ho Chi Minh Sarani, 700071; telephone +91-33-3984-2400; fax +91-33-2282-2335.  For after-hours emergencies, please call our primary hotline cell phone (91) 99030 42956.  If unable to reach the cell phone, please call (91) (33) 3984-2400 and dial “0″ and ask for the Duty Officer.

A Day in the Office of Children’s Issues

On May 25, 2012, in Kids, by Hyderabad ACS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author: Constantina Patronas serves as an incoming abduction officer in Overseas Citizen Services, Office of Children.s Issues.

My job as an abduction country officer in the Office of Children’s Issues is rewarding and challenging. International Parental Child Abduction (IPCA) cases are usually complicated, often heartbreaking, but also gratifying. Much work is involved in ensuring the return of a child, which may even be through a voluntary resolution between the parents. This is a snapshot of my “average” day.

The mission of the Office of Children’s Issues Abduction Division is to assist in the resolution of international parental child abduction cases. In many countries, the Hague Abduction Convention is the primary vehicle to do so. Our office serves as the United States Central…

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Searching for Your Child

On May 23, 2012, in Did you know?, Kids, by Hyderabad ACS

If you are not sure about where your child was taken, locating your child is the top priority. Frequently, the abducting parent goes to great lengths to keep this location hidden, such as changing the name of the child. You are not alone, however, in this search.  There are resources available to help you find your child.  Some of these resources are listed below. Our office will work with you to access these resources to try to locate your child as quickly as possible

U.S. Embassies

If you know an address where your child might be located, and your child is an American Citizen, our office can request that the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate in that country conduct a welfare and whereabouts visit to the child.

Click here to know about what more you could do.

Section I-202 of the Presidential Proclamation of July 2, 1980, reinstituting registration under the Military Selective Service Act, states:  “Citizens of the United States who are to be registered and who are not in the United States on any of the days set aside for their registration, shall present themselves at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate for registration before a diplomatic or consular officer of the United States or before a registrar duly appointed by a diplomatic or consular officer of the United States.  Check with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate if you need to comply.” 

If you’re a male U.S. citizen, age 18 through 25, and are living OUTSIDE the United States, you can register with Selective Service by clicking here.

 EARLY SUBMISSION OF INFORMATION: Now, if you are a man who is at least 17 years and 3 months old, you may complete this form to submit your registration information. The information will be held on file and processed automatically when you are within 30 days of your 18th birthday, at which time we will mail confirmation to you.

At about 2:30 p.m. an earthquake hit Chennai, Tamil Nadu. According to reports, an 8.7-8.9 magnitude earthquake struck off the cost of Northern Sumatra.

According to the Director of Disaster Management in Port Blair, there is a tsunami alert in affect for coastal India including Chennai  and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

 SEA LEVEL READINGS CONFIRM THAT A TSUNAMI HAS BEEN GENERATED WHICH COULD CAUSE WIDESPREAD DAMAGE. A TSUNAMI IS A SERIES OF WAVES AND THE FIRST WAVE MAY NOT BE THE LARGEST. TSUNAMI WAVE HEIGHTS CANNOT BE PREDICTED AND CAN VARYSIGNIFICANTLY ALONG A COAST DUE TO LOCAL EFFECTS. THE TIME FROM  ONE TSUNAMI WAVE TO THE NEXT CAN BE FIVE MINUTES TO AN HOUR, ANDTHE THREAT CAN CONTINUE FOR MANY HOURS AS MULTIPLE WAVES ARRIVE.   DANGER TO BOATS AND COASTAL STRUCTURES CAN CONTINUE FOR SEVERAL HOURS DUE TO RAPID CURRENTS. AS LOCAL CONDITIONS CAN CAUSE A WIDE VARIATION IN TSUNAMI WAVE ACTION THE  ALL CLEAR DETERMINATION MUST BE MADE BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES. ESTIMATED INITIAL TSUNAMI WAVE ARRIVAL TIMES AT FORECAST POINTS WITHIN THE WARNING AND WATCH AREAS ARE GIVEN BELOW. ACTUAL ARRIVAL TIMES MAY DIFFER AND THE INITIAL WAVE MAY NOT BE THE LARGEST.

Go to the following link for the most up to date information regarding landfall timings.

Pacific Tsunami Warning Center

We remind U.S. citizens to exercise prudence and continue to take active, personal responsibility for their security.  We strongly suggest that monitor news reports, and follow the instructions of Indian authorities.  U.S. citizens living and traveling in India are urged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program and update their contact information with the U.S. Consulate Hyderabad.

Registration facilitates the U.S. Mission’s contact with U.S. citizens in emergencies.  Information on registering can be found at the U.S. Department of State’s Consular Affairs website at http://travelregistration.state.gov and at the Consulate’s website chennai.usconsulate.gov.

For the latest security information, U.S. citizens living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State’s Consular Affairs website at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, Travel Warnings and health-information resources can be found. 

Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada, or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

On April 8, 2012, Hyderabad Police imposed a curfew on selected neighborhoods of the Old City (Saidabad and Maanapet) following communal clashes.  Curfews restrict mobility without authorized consent for all visitors and residents throughout the day and evening hours.  According to police and media reports, police have established a curfew in the two neighborhoods of Saidabad and Madanapet and imposed prohibitory orders in the Old City of Hyderabad under Indian Law, Section 144, which bars assembly of more than four persons at one place. This was done after residents of the Charminar neighborhood reportedly smashed buses on hearing about reports of arson in Madanpet and Saidabad (East of Charminar, South of Musi River).

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Voting Across Borders

On April 4, 2012, in Advice, People, Voting, by Hyderabad ACS

Indian and American citizens share certain democratic rights, and we also share the fundamental democratic responsibility to vote.  With U.S. elections coming up this year, I’ve been giving some thought to voting.  By that, I don’t mean thinking about whether or not I’ll vote (I will), but more general issues like voting participation rates and absentee voting.  

To read more visit A Diplomat in the Deccan, the official blog of the Consul General, U.S.Consulate General Hyderabad.