ARAB TIMES, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, APRIL 16-17, 2021

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Officials exchange views on research, academics French Ambassador visits American University of campus

KUWAIT CITY, April 15: The Ameri- can University of Kuwait (AUK) pres- ident, Dr. RawdaAwwad welcomed University marks Francophone Day French Ambassador to Kuwait, H.E. Anne-Claire Legendre, and Academic Attaché, Dr. Benjamin Taunay to the University’s campus to exchange GUST’s Global Studies Center hosts Dr Phillip Lane views on research, academic and out- reach-related opportunities that are of KUWAIT CITY, April 15: The Global rector of the French-Arab Business mutual interest. These long-term dis- Studies Center at GUST hosted a vir- School of the Arabian Gulf University, cussions remain ongoing and assist in tual talk titled “France’s Cultural and , Dr. Arnaud Lacheret. the advancement of AUK as a liberal Scientific Diplomacy”. The session Chair of the Global Studies Center arts institution. discussed France’s reach on five con- and Professor of Humanities and So- “Our American style education tinents using soft power as a main tool cial Sciences at GUST, Dr. Thorsten based on the liberal arts lends itself of diplomacy. The talk, which lasted Botz, said “I am grateful for Dr. Lane to global and multinational outreach two hours, fell under the annual “Fran- for agreeing to do this, especially as and collaboration. We are excited on cophone Week” hosted by the Human- the first official event of 2020/21, but continuing these conversations that are ities and Social Sciences Department. more importantly as the first virtual integral to our institutional growth and The main speaker of the talk, Pro- lecture. The events success will lead development,” stated Dr. RawdaAw- fessor Emeritus, Dr. Phillip Lane, is to many more zoom lectures and hope- wad. a specialist in French Scientific and fully more virtual events by the GSC.” The Ambassador was provided a cultural diplomacy. His work has Dr Phillip Lane The GSC was established in 2015 tour of the campus and its new build- been published in multiple languages and has since brought a varied list ing which houses the brand-new including French, English, and Ara- These institutes serve the French gov- of interesting academic topics to the state-of-the-art communication and bic. Hehas held several French dip- ernment in diplomacy and as form GUST community. Their main areas media center, recently developed art lomatic posts in , the UK, of soft power that has created on nu- of focus include Globalization and the and graphic design classrooms, and French Ambassador, H.E. Anne-Claire Legendre receiving a gift from AUK and . merous relationships and affiliations. Gulf, Culture and Media, and Kuwait- the latest open computer laborato- president, Dr. RawdaAwwad. Professor Lane discussed that However, he also goes on to question Asia relations. Bringing interesting ries. The new Center for Continu- France has 150 culture embassy ser- their use and whether they are sustain- topics during a turbulent time shows ing Education (CCE) offices and the Over the years, AUK has been work- with regular follow-ups to sustain the vices and from that they numerous able in the modern world, whether the dedication and commitment of the University library were also part of ing closely with the French embassy relationship and support mutual scho- French institutes, science and research their cultural impact can stay relevant. center to engaging its community and the tour. with consistent meetings combined lastic opportunities. centers, and Lycees (French Schools). The talk was also moderated by Di- its peers.

Event highlights ’s rich diversity Indian Embassy marks harvest festivals with cultural program By Paul Francis X. Fernandes by fully adhering to the protocol and Arab Times Staff guidelines associated with Covid 19 pandemic.” KUWAIT CITY, April 15: The Em- “In this special year when India bassy of India, Kuwait organized an begins its celebrations for 75th anni- event at the embassy auditorium in versary of India’s Independence; and to celebrate various harvest festivals India and Kuwait celebrate 60 years of in India, including Vishu, Puthandu, establishing diplomatic relations; the Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, Bihu, Baisakhi, Embassy of India welcomes you all to Vaisakhadi, heralding the New Year in celebrate India’s cultural heritage and many States of India. the very special, close and warm India- The event was inaugurated by the Kuwait cultural relationship,” he said. Indian Ambassador to Kuwait HE Sibi “Today we also have with us some George with warm greetings to the In- students, who excelled in a Science dian community and friends of India in contest called Shastra Pratibha Con- Kuwait on the joyous occasion. test organized by Science International In his address to the invited guests, Forum, Kuwait. I congratulate all the the Indian envoy said, today is an winners for their effort and interest in auspicious day. According to Indian science and technology. calendar, it is Chaitra Shukla Prati- “I commend the organizers for pada – first day of the waxing moon their initiative and hope that they fortnight of the month of Chaitra, the will continue to work towards popu- first month of Indian calendar. It is the larization of science among Indian New Year Day in many states of India, students in Kuwait. Science and and in many parts of the country it is a technology is our beacon for future harvest festival. and as you all are aware, the Govern- On this auspicious day, the Ambas- ment of India is making every effort sador spoke about India’s rich diver- to promote innovation, research and sity and highlighted the unity amidst development. I wish more and more this diversity, which signifies the true of you will take active interest in this beauty of Indian culture. The Ambas- field and continue with your passion sador also mentioned about the beau- even as you take up your higher stud- tiful confluence of events as the occa- ies. My best wishes to you all,” Am- sion also coincides with the beginning bassador George said. of the holy month of Ramadan. During the event the Indian envoy On this day which heralds the felicitated the winners. During the spring-time harvest in many parts of course of the event, audience quiz was India and signifies a new beginning for conducted and prizes were distributed all, “we must take a moment to pause to winners. and cheer ourselves up. This is all the A short cultural program showcas- more important in the times we are liv- ing India’s diverse festival traditions ing in, where there are difficulties and was also organized. The cultural pro- challenges all around us and therefore, gram included short audio video clips, we must resolve to come together, even live mesmerizing song and dance per- if virtually and make a new beginning formances. The event was well attend- Some of the file photos from ‘Pohela Baishakh’ celebrations by Bangladeshis across the world. towards health, peace and prosperity ed virtually by people from different for all. Of course, we will do all this walks of life in Kuwait. Bengali New Year festivities marked with ‘MangalShobhajatra’ Bangladeshis celebrate ‘Bangla Noboborsho’

KUWAIT CITY, April 15: Pohela dar to the 7th-century King Shashanka. pression of the secular identity of the youth people enjoy the day by wearing Baishakh or Bangla Noboborsho is the Because the term “Bangabda (Bangla Bengali people, uniting the country new dress, visiting friends and rela- first day of Bengali Calendar. It is cele- year)” is also found in two Shiva tem- irrespective of class, age, religious tives house and take Panchan, a special brated on April 14 as a national holiday ples of India many centuries older than faith, or gender. vegetable dish prepared for the occa- in . In Bengali, the word Akbar era. These inscriptions suggest Different cultural organizations and sion. Pohela means ‘first’ and Boishakh is that the Bengali calendar existed be- bands also perform on this occasion In the Marma community, they the first month of the Bengali Year. fore Akbar’s time. and fairs celebrating Bengali culture also celebrate by playing some games Bengali New Year is referred to in are organized throughout the country. called PaniKhela (Sangrai), Alarikhela Bengali as Noboborsho where ‘Nobo’ Celebration of Bengali New Year Other traditional events held to cel- and Dha-thu. means new and ‘Borsho’ means year. The Bengali New Year is observed ebrate PohelaBoishakh include Bull Goraia dance is very popular in the as a public holiday in Bangladesh. It is racing, Wrestling, Boat racing, Cock- community. As a celebration Traditional roots celebrated across religious boundaries fights etc. of the festivals 10 to 100 artist perform During the Mughal rule, land taxes by its Muslim majority and Hindu mi- the dance. The main theme of this were collected from Bengali people nority. The festival became a popular UNESCO eecognition of “Man- dance is to show their daily lives and according to the Islamic Hijri calen- means of expressing cultural pride and galShobhajatra” the steps of Jum cultivation. dar. This calendar was a lunar calen- heritage among the Bangladeshi. In 2014 the Bangla Academy com- The first day of the festival is called A dance performance. dar, and its new year did not coincide The day is marked with singing, piled a nomination file that was ap- ‘Phulbijhu’ the second day is ‘Mulbi- with the solar agricultural cycles. processions, and fairs. Traditionally, proved by the Ministry of Cultural Af- jhu’ and third day or first day of the According to some sources, the fes- businesses start this day with a new fairs of Bangladesh and submitted to Bangla New Year is called ‘GojjyaPo- tival was a tradition introduced in ledger, clearing out the old. Singers UNESCO.On 30 November 2016 the jjya Din’. during the rule of Mughal perform traditional songs welcoming “MangalShobhajatra” festival was se- On the day of Phulbijhu, boys and Emperor Akbar to time the tax year the New Year. People enjoy classical lected as an intangible cultural heritage girls wake up early in the morning to the harvest and the Bangla year Jatra plays. People wear festive dress by the Inter-governmental Committee and take birth with their parents and was therewith called “Bangabda”. with women decorating their hair with on Safeguarding Intangible Cultural clean up houses and its surroundings Akbar asked the royal astronomer flowers. Heritage of UNESCO at its 11th ses- and they decorate houses with differ- FathullahShirazi to create a new cal- White-red color combinations are sion, which was held in Addis Ababa, ent flowers. They also float flowers endar by combining the lunar Islamic particularly popular. People of Ban- Ethiopia. in rivers, canals and springs seeking calendar and solar Hindu calendar gladesh prepare and enjoy a variety blessing to God for eternal peace and already in use, and this was known of traditional festive foods on Po- Boisabi Festival prosperity. as “Fosholi Shon (harvest calendar)”. hela Boishakh. These include Panta Boisabi Festival is the celebration of Though the festival is related to the According to some historians, this Bhat (watered rice), Bhaji (fried the Bengali New Year by the indige- ethnic people but anyone can enjoy it started the Bengali calendar. Hilsa Fish) and many special Bhartas nous communities living in with much enthusiasm. Tourists have According to the Bangladeshi aca- (pastes). Hill Tracts in Bangladesh. flocked to the region to enjoy the tradi- demic and folklorist, the origin of the The celebrations start at dawn with Some of the ethnic communities liv- tional festival of the tribal people. Bengali calendar is unclear. According a rendition of ’s ing in various parts of Bangladesh also Secularism is one of the four fun- to one, it is called Bangla shonor shaal, song “Esho he Boishakh” by Chhay- celebrate the New Year but they each damental principles according to the which are and Persian words anaut under the banyan tree at Ramna have a different name for it. The fes- Constitution of Bangladesh. Over respectively, suggests that it was intro- at . tivities get their respective unique ap- 90.4% of Bangladeshis are , duced by a Muslim King or Sultan. In An integral part of the festivities is proach. On this occasion the three hilly the rest being 8.5%, Buddhists contrast, according to other, its tradi- the “MangalShobhajatra”, a traditional districts -- , Bandarban and 0.6%, 0.4%, and others tional name is “Bangabda”. It is also colourful procession organised by the Khagrachhari -- wear a festive look. 0.2%. People in Bangladesh observe unclear, whether it was adopted by students of the Faculty of Fine Arts, The people of the hills consider the various secular festivals at different Alauddin Husain Shah or Akbar. The University of Dhaka. “MangalShobha- first day of the year auspicious. times throughout the year with social tradition to use the Bengali calendar jatra” is a mass procession that takes Three ethnic communities come and religion harmony and tranquillity may have been started by Husain Shah place at dawn on the first day of the A flyer of the event. together to celebrate PahelaBaishakh. On this first day of Bengali New before Akbar. However, regardless of Bengali New Year in Bangladesh. ‘Boishuk’ of the Tripura, ‘Sangrai’ of Year, On behalf of Bangladesh com- who adopted the Bengali calendar and The Bengali phrase “MangalShob- the Marma and ‘Biju’ of the Chakma munity in Kuwait and on our own Webinar on vaccination awareness the New Year, it helped collect land hajatra” literally means “procession are often celebrated together as ‘Boi- behalf we extend our heartfelt greet- taxes after the spring harvest based on for well-being”. Every year, thou- Sa-Bi’. These differ from traditional ings of “Bengali New Year” to His The second wave of Covid-19 pan- Indian Doctors Forum Kuwait are traditional Bengali calendar, because sands of people take part in the pro- PahelaBaishakh celebrations. Festivi- Highness The Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al demic is getting more serious. The delighted to conduct a live webinar the Islamic Hijri calendar created ad- cession that features gigantic replicas ties in the hills begin on the last day Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, the Crown only visible solution to minimize the on COVID 19 vaccination. We re- ministrative difficulties in setting the of birds, fish, animals, folk tale and of the month of Chaitra (last month of Prince Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al risk is vaccination. But many questions quest you all to attend this valuable collection date. other motifs. The rally symbolizes Bengali Year) and continue for three or Jaber Al Sabah, brotherly people of doubt in minds about vaccination. live webinar on Friday, 16th April There is another theory about the unity, peace, and the driving away of more days. Religious rituals are often Kuwait, our colleagues, friends and To answer such queries, UPNRI 2021 at 2:00 pm Kuwait time and origin of the Bengali Calendar. Some evil to allow progress of country and part of these festivals. The festivals are their families.“SHUVO NOBOBOR- Forum Kuwait in association with 4:30 pm India time. historians attribute the Bengali calen- humanity. It is considered as an ex- celebrated in many ways. Children and SHO”