USIEF has over 4,000 alumni and 18 alumni chapters across India.  Alumni chapters actively organize events for new and returning Fulbrighters and advising sessions for Indian students interested in Fulbright-Nehru fellowships and in US education. They also conduct seminars, workshops, social welfare activities; and reunions of alumni. In partnership with USIEF, alumni organize events and activities to intensify their networking and to strengthen Indo-US ties and engage in public service. USIEF holds cost-shared programs with alumni to generate awareness on pressing social issues on environment, education, health and capacity building. USIEF also maintains an online alumni database and uses e-groups and new social media for alumni coordination. All India alumni chapter leaders’ meetings and regional alumni meetings have played a vital role in engaging alumni to promote visibility of Fulbright-Nehru programs in underserved regions and underrepresented institutions. The State Alumni website http://alumni.state.gov is a fantastic medium for membership and online discussions. USIEF alumni have shown exemplary leadership in all walks of life including politics, education, business, health, education, finance, law and science and technology. The photograph below shows Humphrey alumna Usha Bhasin reaching out to masses through her award winning project Kalyani.

Ms. Usha Bhasin (second from left) releasing the promotional poster for her project Kalyani, a Television serial that is meant to generate awareness about HIV/AIDS to rural masses

Formed in 1993 by former US Fulbright scholars to India, FFI is a non-profit organization with an ongoing interest in promoting academic exchange between the United States and India. FFI is operated by a Board of Directors and other volunteers and supports student travel to India. It also organizes, seminars, cultural programs, welcome receptions for American and Indian scholars, and art exhibitions and other events to raise funds for humanitarian causes. To see the details of FFI work and to become a member, please visit www.fulbrightindiaalumni.org. The photos below are from the 2009 welcome reception held for incoming Indian Fulbrighters in New York:

Newly arrived Indian scholars with FFI members and enjoying the dinner reception
(L to R): FFI current president since 2005- Annette Danto, former FFI president from 1997-2005- Glen Johnson, former Executive Director of USIEF - Jane E. Schukoske and FFI Treasurer till 2009- Susan Travis

You can donate your time to FFI. The organization welcomes your help in convening meetings of Fulbright scholars in your area and welcoming Indian Fulbright scholars on fellowships in the US. If you are interested in helping with a welcome reception or hosting an Indian Fulbright scholar on your campus for a talk or seminar, please contact:

Professor Annette Danto
City University of New York
Brooklyn College Campus
2900 Bedford Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11215
Tel: (718) 951-5664
fax: (718) 951-4733
Cell: 917-443-0554
Email: adanto@brooklyn.cuny / eduandanndanto@hotmail.com

FFI is recognized as tax exempt under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to the organization are tax deductible to the extent permitted by US law. You can also send contributions payable to “Friends of Fulbright to India, Inc." to:

Ms. Kathryn Myers
FFI Treasurer, Website manager
679 Browns Road
Storrs, CT 06268
Email: kathryn.myers@uconn.edu / myersk19@gmail.com