Mumbai: On Wednesday evening, September 21, the U.S. Consulate General Mumbai opened the doors to its innovative new American Space, Dosti House. The audience-centric space, which was redesigned and recreated from the former American Library in BKC, was inaugurated with great fanfare. Welcoming the assembled patrons and Consulate’s guests, Deputy Principal Officer Jennifer Larson said, “This is your space. At its core, Dosti House is a place for Americans and Indians to connect in order to learn, to grow great ideas, and to make fantastic things happen together.”
Dosti House space is a logical evolution of the Consulate’s Public Affairs efforts in Mumbai. It was designed in keeping with the legacy of over 700 American Spaces in 169 countries worldwide, which focus on bringing together people, ideas, and information in a welcoming and inspiring environment. The new space design — flexible and modular, allowing free use of furniture and other elements — accommodates a 100-person audience for large events, a space for self-study and small group work, a language lab, a lounge area for relaxed reading, and modern computer facilities. Dosti House also includes a video wall and a stage, allowing for larger in-house programs on various themes like education, English language, bilateral relations, environment, women empowerment, and entrepreneurship. In addition, the traditional library boasts a collection of 10,000 books, 700 films and 130 periodicals and e-resources including 40 remotely accessible databases.
“In a city characterized by a real space crunch, Dosti House offers an exciting resource for student organizations and volunteer groups who are perennially looking for meeting space,” said the Consulate’s Acting Public Affairs Officer Heidi Hattenbach. “Our space was created to welcome everyone – from our traditional strategic partners to emerging creative artists, from readers of American literature to foreign policy students – who is looking to engage with new ideas, new information and new opportunities.”
The Dosti House opening event was marked by a jubilant performance by ‘Dharavi Rocks’, a band whose young musicians create their own instruments from waste materials like drum barrels, paint cans and plastic bottles.
The new Dosti House will be open to the public starting Monday, September 26, 2016, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (Monday – Saturday). Patrons should remember to bring a photo identification to ensure library access.
