Indian Council for Cultural Relations Newsletter
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MAY – JUNE 2014 INDIAN COUNCIL FOR CULTURAL RELATIONS NEWSLETTER President ICCR holds RAC Meetings First Lady of Uganda meets ICCR Scholars ICCR allotted 30 scholarships to students of Uganda for FY 2014 – 2015. Twenty two of them for B.Tech courses (9), Commerce (9) and other under – graduate schemes in India such as B.B.A etc. Ambassador Dr. A.V.S. Ramesh Chandra, accompanied by the twenty two students, visited the State House, Kampala, and were received by the First Lady of Uganda, Her Excellency Ms. Janet Museveni. Regional Advisory Committee meeting of ICCR Srinagar, attended by nine RAC members under the chairmanship of Dr. Karan Singh, President, ICCR, was held on 15th May 2014. President ICCR briefed the members about the working of ICCR and its historical prospective. He also mentioned about the efforts made by ICCR in locating two Regional centers in Prime Minister of Bhutan unveils Bust of the state. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru The bust of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was unveiled and Siddharth Art Gallery was inaugurated at the Nehru- Wangchuck Cultural Centre by H.E. Lyonchhoen Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of Bhutan and Ambassador V P Haran, on 7th May 2014. Dr. Karan Singh, President ICCR, visited Kolkata to chair RAC meeting held on 29th June 2014 at Rabindranath Tagore Centre, ICCR, Kolkata. The meeting was attended by two Governing Body members and 7 RAC members. President ICCR, emphasized that Memorandum of Understand (MoU) should be sign with the local government to promote culture DG ICCR signs MoU with MGI in Mauritius activities jointly. During his visit he met with Governor of West Bengal. EXIM Bank support an ICCR Chair Director General, ICCR signed a Memorandum of Understanding between ICCR and Mahatma Gandhi Institute on continuation of ICCR’s Chair at Mahatma Gandhi Institute, Moka on 12th May 2014. The signing ceremony was attended by Hon’ble Mr. Mookhesswur Choonee, Minister of Arts & Culture, Hon’ble Dr. Vasant Bunwaree, Minister of Education An MoU was signed on 27th June, 2014 at Azad Bhavan, New and Human Resources and Hon’ble Mr. Surendra Dayal, Delhi by DG, ICCR and Yaduvendra Mathur, Chairman & Minister of Social Integration and Economic Empowerment. Managing Director, EXIM Bank to jointly operate a Chair of Director General, ICCR also called on H.E. Mr. Kailash Purryag, Indian Financial Management at Lagos Business School, Pan President of Mauritius and Hon’ble Dr. Arvin Boolell, Minister Atlantic University, Nigeria. of Foreign Affairs and laid wreath at Aapravasi Ghat. DG ICCR holds RAC Meetings Sao Paulo Drama: The Dry Leaves Die Over The Sea A Tragedy drama written by Tomaz Chico and directed by Claudia Bonina was staged for the first time at ICC São Paulo on 8th May 2014. The drama uses characters of Greek Director General, ICCR visited Shillong and Guwahati from mythology as a device to represent the condition of women 28th – 31st May 2014 for meeting of the Regional Advisory all over the world. Based on Medea and Ophelia classical Committees and had discussions with senior officials. During dramas, the very beginning of western theatre, it tells the his stay he called on H.E. Mr. K.K. Paul, Governor of story of three washerwomen and their striving to act Meghalaya and H.E. Mr. Janaki Ballabh Patnaik, Governor of against a cruel living. Between tears and laughter they Assam and met with ICCR scholars. reveal their hidden sides, sometimes revengeful. Chairs for Indian Studies Collaborating with Indian Missions abroad, ICCR has established Chairs in reputed universities and institutions across the world covering various aspects of Indian studies, to promote knowledge and understanding about India as also for research and related high-end academic activities. The latest group of academicians appointed as Chairs include, Prof. M.J. Bhende as ICCR Chair of Indian Studies at Jinan University, Guangzhou, China, and Dr. Chandra Bhushan Jha as ICCR Sanskrit Chair at Philips University of Buddha Purnima Celebrations Marburg, Germany. Celebration of Birth, Enlightenment and Parinirvana of From Our Cultural Centres Abroad Buddha Shakyamuni was programmed on 14th May 2014. NWCC, Bhutan The function was divided in three parts: Meditation practice Celebration of Birth Anniversary of (Vipassana – the technique taught by Lord Buddha Himself) Lecture illustrated with slides on Budda’s teachings. Lecture Rabindranath Tagore and meditation were conducted by Arthur Shaker, The NWCC in collaboration with Embassy of Bangladesh practitioner and Counselor Casa de Dharma, Therevadin celebrated the birth Anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore at Buddhist Centre in the heart of São Paulo. th the Centre on 17 May 2014. 3rd Anniversary of ICC Sao Paulo Hon'ble Lyonpo Damcho Dorji, Minister of Home and ICC Sao Paulo, celebrated its third anniversary on 25th May Cultural Affairs graced the occasion. Other dignitaries 2014. The programme comprised of colorful performances including V P Haran, Ambassador of India to Bhutan, Jishnu of Hindi songs, Yoga, Odissi, Kathak, Bharatnatyam as well Roy Choudhury, Ambassador of Bangladesh to Bhutan, as contemporary dance by the students of ICC. Lyonpo Nado Rinchen, Secretaries and Head of Department of various offices of RGOB. Bangkok Tabla Concert: “Layakari” A solo tabla concert was presented by ICC tabla teacher Ustad Vasi Ahmed Khan on 17th May 2014. He performed 4 items, Vilambit Teen Taal of 16 beats – Vilambit Lay (Slow Meeting: Peace Culture speed), Ek Taal of 12 beats – Madhya Lay (Medium speed), ICC Sao Paulo, in association with WOPG and TPRF Drut Teen Taal of 16 beats – Lay Drut Teen Taal (Fast organized the meeting “Peace Culture” on 9th June 2014, speed) and Upaj – creativity spontaneous (Thai-Indian which was an innovative educational programme, beats). The programme was very well appreciated by the conducted by volunteers with videos focusing on specific audience. subjects. MACIC, Cairo Suriname India Day at Misr Public Library An Evening of Bhojpuri Music As part of its outreach activity, MACIC Cairo hosted India Day at the Misr Public Library, El Zawia on 16th June 2014. The newly-constructed Misr Public library caters to 57 schools in the region. After a brief tour of the library, Ambassador Navdeep Suri and Ambassador Abdel Raouf El Reedy, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Misr Public Libraries, jointly inaugurated an exhibition on Indo-Egyptian Ms. Kalpana Patowary and her Troupe performed on 24th relations. May 2014 at the Indian Monument Gardens, Georgetown. She mesmerized the entire audience with her melodious voice. Hon’ble Minister for Culture, Youth & Sports, Dr. Frank Anthony was the Chief Guest. Asia Nite Lecture by Indian Electoral Officers: ‘Lessons from Indian and Egyptian Elections’ Embassy of India, in association with the Egypt India th Friendship Association (EIFA), organized a lecture on Indian On 7 June 2014, the Embassies of India, China and and Egyptian elections at MACIC, on 28th May 2014, by two Indonesia in Paramaribo jointly organized the cultural senior Election officials, Mr. Jaideep Govind, and Dr. Mona event "Asia Nite" in "Witte Lotus", the biggest local Sharma, with experience of managing elections in Madhya sports center. The event was attended by H.E. Robert Pradesh and Odisha, who were visiting Egypt to follow the Ameerali, Vice President of the Republic of Suriname, Presidential elections. Dr. Maged Osman, President of Egypt- Don Tosendjojo, Minister of Trade and Industry, Stanley India Friendship Association, Managing Chairman of Baseera Sidoel, Director of Cultural Affairs and Representatives of Opinion Polls for Public Opinion, spoke about the Egyptian Diplomat Corps and International Organizations. The electoral process. Ambassador Navdeep Suri delivered the "Asia Nite" consisted of two sections: exhibition of food opening remarks. & handicrafts, and cultural show. Gandhi Centre, The Hague Kings Day/ Spring Event Lecture Demonstration on Kathak Kings Day/Spring Event was celebrated at the Gandhi Centre in collaboration with Netherland - India Association on 3rd May 2014. A variety of programmes including Hindustani Vocal performance, classical Kathak Dance, Bollywood Dance, Fusion Dances and Folk Dance by various artistes. Dhrupad Recital MACIC organized a lecture-cum-demonstration on Kathak dance by Ms. Maria Krizhanovskaya, on 24th June 2014, at the Centre. Earlier in the month, MACIC conducted four sessions of introductory classes in Kathak dance by Ms. Gandhi Centre, The Hague, organized a classical evening Krizhanovskaya, who trained for 6 years with Guru Prerana presenting Dhrupad by Smt. Ashokaji Dhar Nandy one of Shrimali at Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra in New Delhi. the first female Dhrupadia from India on 23rd May 2014. JNICC, Jakarta Kathmandu Indian Cultural Festival Dance Drama ‘Shri Krishna’ ICC Kathmandu organized Indian Cultural Festival from 17th Choreographed by JNICC Kathak dance teacher Ms. to 23rd of May 2014 covering food, vocal music, performing Pratishtha Saraswat and her students, Dance Drama ‘Shri arts, folk dance, films, instrumental music, run for fun, and Krishna’ was performed at the Embassy auditorium on the exhibition of Rabindranath Tagore’s paintings. These events occasion of farewell to Mr. Zahur Zaidi, Director JNICC on were spread across different venues in Kathmandu. 11th May 2014. Book Release: "Nucleus, Power Women: Lead from the Core" and Panel discussion: "women as leaders" Sri Lanka Buddha Rashmi Vesak Celebrations in JNICC in association with Abha Maryada Banerjee, a well known motivational author from India, organized a well Colombo attended release of her book “Nucleus, Power Women: ICC Colombo participated in the event by displaying a Vesak Lead from the Core” on 24th May 2014. The book was lantern modeled on the Mahabodhi Temple of Gaya, Bihar. released by Ms. Neeru Singh, Indonesian author and The lantern was based on the architecture of the activist. Program also featured a classical dance Mahabodhi Temple. The event was jointly organized by the performance by JNICC Kathak dance teacher and students.