INDIA IN T&T

Vol. 1 Issue 7 October 2020 Bimonthly Cultural Newsletter of the High Commission of India, Trinidad and Tobago (concurrent accreditation: Dominica, Grenada & Montserrat)

In This Issue:

Operationalization of newly built Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Cultural Co-operation Complex, Mt. Hope, Trinidad Visits to the Cultural Centre Tributes to Mahatma Gandhi Democracy at Work 56th ITEC Day हद दवस 2020 Cultural Outreach Incredible India: Madhya Pradesh Educational Institutes in India : IIT, Kanpur Media Coverage of the High Commission Operationalization of newly built Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Cultural Co-operation Complex, Mt. Hope, Trinidad

Timeline of the Cultural Centre

In 1998, the Cultural Centre started The construction on the site The idea of the establishment of A cultural agreement was signed A protocol agreement was signed functioning from its temporary commenced in January 2018 and the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of in 1987 between Mr. Basdeo between both the Governments in location in Caroni. In 1999, the the Centre is functional from Cultural Co-operation (MGICC) Panday, the then Foreign Minister 1991. Subsequently a plot of land foundation stone of the building was November 2020. On the occasion was mooted during the visit of of T&T and Shri Narayan Dutt located at Mt. Hope was handed laid by the then Prime Minister of of Gandhi Jayanti ( 02 Oct.), the then Prime Minister of India Smt. Tiwari, the then Foreign Minister over in 1994 to the High India Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee and the Mahatma Gandhi Bust was Indira Gandhi to T&T of India. Commission. then Prime Minister of T&T, Mr. Basdeo Panday. unveiled.

1968 1987 1991-1994 1998 2020

Gandhi Jayanti 2020 & Unveiling of the Mahatma Gandhi Bust

The High Commission of India hosted an unveiling ceremony of a Mahatma Gandhi Bust at the newly constructed Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Cultural Co-operation, Mount Hope on Friday 2nd October, 2020. The unveiling ceremony was held on the occasion of the 151st Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi (Gandhi Jayanti) and was led by H.E. Mr. Arun Kumar Sahu, High Commissioner of India and Hon. Mr. Terence Deyalsingh, Minister of Health and MP for St. Joseph constituency. The ceremony on 2nd October this year is culmination of the two-year long commemoration of 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi which started on 2nd October, 2018. The event, apart from the unveiling of the bust of Mahatma Gandhi, featured an Inter-Faith service by Dr. Rampersad Parasram, President and Dharamacharya (SDMS), Imam Imtiaz Ali, Vice-Chairman of the Haji Rukmudeen of Islamic Studies (ASJA) and Revered Damien Sieunarine from the Presbyterian Church of Trinidad and Tobago. The programme also included a performance by popular artiste Mr. Neval Chatelal who sang ‘Vaishnav Jan to’ and ‘Raghupati Raghav’ two of Floral Tribute to Gandhi Ji at Mahatma Gandhi’s favourite devotional songs or bhajans. Students of the Gandhi Square, Kew Place, PoS,by SWAHA College sang two very well-known songs of India ‘Saare Jahaan Se His Worship Joel Martinez, Mayor Accha’ and ‘Ae Mere Watan ke Logon’ followed by melodious of PoS & High Commission officials performances by the Teachers of the MGICC. The unveiling ceremony also allowed the visitors a preview of the newly constructed Cultural Centre, to be opened to the public shortly after a formal inauguration ceremony. Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday on 2nd October is observed as the International Day of Non-Violence. Born as Mohandas Karamchand Mahatma Gandhi bust at the Gandhi in Porbandar, Gujarat India in 1869, Gandhiji dedicated his life entrance towards the upliftment of human suffering through the use of non- violence. An apostle of peace, he was later nicknamed as “Mahatma which translates to Great Soul”. The two-year long commemoration of 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi which started on 2nd October, 2018 saw several events held in India and across the world, including Trinidad and Tobago, to celebrate the commemoration.

"As the Projects Officer of the High Commission, it gives me great satisfaction to see the construction of this long-awaited building started and completed during my tenure." Unveiling of the Gandhi Bust at newly built MGICC Layout of MGICC Building -Mr. Aniruddha Das, Second Secretary(Consular,Press,Projects) joined by Min. of Health Hon’ble Terrence Deyalsingh conceptualised by UNICOM Ltd. INDIA IN T&T NEWSLETTER PAGE 1 Operationalization of newly built Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Cultural Co-Operation Complex, Mt. Hope, Trinidad

Visits to the new Cultural Centre

Senator the Hon'ble, Dr. Amery Browne, Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Minister, along with Ms. Reita Toussaint, Acting Permanent Secretary, were given a tour of the MGICC Complex

An evening of Indian classical music & Chutney featured Ms. Savita Singh, local artiste, & Mr. Paritosh Sinha, MGICC's Vocal Teacher

Former Prime Minister of T&T Dr. Basdeo Panday & former Minister of Works, Mr. John Humphrey visited the cultural centre & H.E Mr. Arun Kumar Sahu expressed gratitude for their support for the new complex

Senator the Hon'ble Mr. Rohan Sinanan, Minister of Works & Transport & Prof. Clement Imbert & Mrs. Imbert were received by H.E. Mr. Arun Kumar Sahu & High Commission officials INDIA IN T&T NEWSLETTER PAGE 2 Tributes to Mahatma Gandhi

Excerpt of Hon'ble Dr. Amery Browne, Minister of Renowned Cricketer Darren Ganga shared Greetings by Hon'ble Mr. Peter David, Foreign Affairs of T&T, message on Gandhi Jayanti a video tribute Foreign Affairs Minister of Grenada

Letter to the Editor by featured in the Trinidad Express by Mr. Paras Rendition of 'Vaishnav Jan To' & sentiments shared by Ramoutar, former Councillor & noted Journalist Mr. Neval Chatelal on social media INDIA IN T&T NEWSLETTER PAGE 3 Senator Hon'ble Dr. Amery Browne, Minister of Foreign Affairs of T&T & some Heads of Diplomatic Missions visited the High Commission to sign the Condolence book for Shri Pranab Mukherjee, former President of India.

H.E. Mr. Arun Kumar Sahu paid a courtesy call to Hon'ble Dr. Amery Browne, Minister of H.E. Mr. Arun Kumar Sahu visited the San Fernando City Corporation & Foreign Affairs of T&T received a tour of Harris Promenade & the Mahatma Gandhi memorial statue by His Worship the Mayor of San Fernando Alderman Junia Regrello.

Independence Day greetings via Twitter from H.E. Mr. Arun Kumar Sahu administered Mr. Ashok Mandal & Mr. Rama Krishna, Consular Officials, at Piarco Int'l Hon. Dr. S. Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs, Rashtriya Ekta Diwas pledge virtually to High Airport assisting with the repatriation of Indian nationals in T&T Govt. of India, to Dominica Commission officials

Greetings by H.E. Mr. Arun Kumar Sahu Greetings by H.E. Mr. Arun Kumar Sahu Greetings by H.E. Mr. Arun Kumar Sahu on the occasion of T&T's 58th Independence Day on Indian Foreign Service Day (IFS) on the occasion of Guru Diwas ( Teacher's Day)

INDIA IN T&T NEWSLETTER PAGE 4 56 th Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme Virtual Celebrations #ITEC56

The High Commission of India in T&T virtually celebrated the 56th Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Day on 18 September 2020. ITEC Day is celebrated annually on 15 September and Missions worldwide celebrate in a big way with cultural programmes, short film screening and experience sharing by ITEC Alumni. However, due to Covid-19 pandemic, the ITEC Day 2020 was celebrated virtually. Usually, physical celebrations are held in T&T but via an online platform, it was the first time that there was participation and representation from ITEC Alumni and friends from Dominica, Grenada and Montserrat as well. The virtual celebration was attended by Hon'ble Peter David, Grenada's Foreign Minister, Ms. Vandana Mohit, former Mayor of Chaguanas and ITEC Alumni from T&T , Dominica, Grenada and Montserrat. Hon'ble Dr. Amery Browne,Foreign Affairs Minister of T&T and Mr. Rushton Paray, Member of Parliament, Mayaro and ITEC Alumni, sent recorded greetings which were featured in the programme.

From L-R: Hon'ble Dr. Amery Browne, Foreign Affairs Minister of T&T & Hon'ble Mr. Peter David, Foreign Affairs Minister of Grenada & Mr. Rushton Paray, MP for Mayaro brought greetings on the occasion

From L-R: Opening remarks by H.E. Mr. Arun Kumar Sahu and greetings by Ms. Vandana Mohit, former Mayor of Chaguanas & ITEC Alumni

To view the recorded ITEC Day 2020 programme, please visit India in Trinidad and Tobago's YouTube channel

ITEC Alumni from T&T, Dominica, Grenada and Montserrat shared their ITEC experiences https://www.hcipos.gov.in/page-link/? https://www.itecgoi.in/in @ITECnetwork @ITECnetwork page=itec dex INDIA IN T&T NEWSLETTER PAGE 5 Hindi Diwas Celebration 2020 Hindi Diwas 2020 was celebrated virtually by the High Commission of India on 25 September, 2020. The programme entailed opening remarks by H.E. Mr. Arun Kumar Sahu, High Commissioner, greetings by Hon'ble Dr. Amery Browne, Minister of Foreign Affairs of T&T, remarks by Mr. Chanka Seeterram, President of the Hindi Foundation of T&T, poetry recitals by Dr. Rakesh Prabhakar, PhD. Sanskrit, and Mrs. Sumatee Karim, senior Hindi teacher at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Cultural Cooperation. Mr. Randall Maharaj and Mrs. Susan Sankar, Senior Hindi Students, also described their Hindi learning journey and reasons for learning the language. A cultural programme included performances by teachers of the MGICC and dance items by Ms. Karishma Ramoutar, Director of Nrita Dance group and the Pratibha Arts Dance Co. under the tutelage of Mrs. Pooja Malhotra. Mrs. Sharmela Dilraj-Boodoo, Hindi Student, received a prize for placing first in a vocabulary quiz held in the weekly virtual Conversational Hindi class. The event was a grand success and attended by Hindi Studenst, Hindi Teachers, Hindi enthusiasts and friends of the High Commission. The recorded programme is available on India in Trinidad and Tobago's YouTube page. Other Hindi Diwas 2020 commemorative activities also included a Kavi Sammelan (Poetry Conference) in collaboration with the Udbhav Cultural and Literary Organisation, India. H.E. Mr. Arun Kumar Sahu brought greetings and recited one of his own poems entitled 'Shunya'. Lastly, the Hindi Section of the High Commission of India tailored its 'Aaj ka Shabd' (word of the day) to showcase a week of Hindi words used locally in T&T which can be found on the India in Trinidad and Tobago's 'Learning Hindi' playlist on YouTube.

Hindi Diwas Greetings

INDIA IN T&T NEWSLETTER PAGE 6 Cultural Outreach #ArtAgainstCorona

Cheques for financial assistance were prsented by the H.E. Mr. Arun Kumar Sahu,High Commissioner,in collaboration with the High Commission Mr. Arshad Khan, MGICC's Tabla Tutor ,did a solo of India's Ladies' Club to the Indian Caribbean Museum of T&T, The Hindu Women's Organization of T&T and The Waterloo Temple in the Sea at performance at UTT's T&T Independence Day Concert the newly built MGICC.

Left : Virtual Hindustani Cultural Evening in Tribute to Pandit Jasraj. Eminent artiste from T&T, Dr. Mungal Patasar, Mr. Rana Mohip, Mrs. Purva Joshi, Mr. Ajay Joshi, Mr. Sachin Boodram and MGICC's talented teachers, Mr. Paritosh Sinha and Mr. Arshad Khan performed in the event. An online workshop for University students by Mr. Rana Mohip, eminent Musician, Mrs. Susan Mohip, Indian Classical Dance Guru & Mr. Arshad Khan, MGICC's Tabla Tutor India-T&T Connections : by H.E. Mr. Arun Kumar Sahu, High Commissioner

INDIA IN T&T NEWSLETTER PAGE 7 Incredible India MMMaaadddhhhyyyaaa PPPrrraaadddeeessshhh The Heart of Incredible India

Madhya Pradesh can be described as the best state of the nation when it comes to the diversity of its tourism destinations. Madhya Pradesh is known as the “Heart of India” because of a lot many things that it has to offer. It has been home to cultural and spiritual heritage of almost all the religions. Innumerable monuments, intricately carved temples, stupas, forts and palaces are dotted all over the State. The natural beauty of the state is equally varied. Consisting largely of a plateau, the State has everything, from mighty mountain ranges to meandering rivers to miles of verdant forests. In fact a large part of Madhya Pradesh is under the forest cover, offering a unique and exciting panorama of wildlife. In the National Parks of Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Pench you can spot the tiger, bison and a wide variety of deer and antelope. Water sports, caravan journeys, river cruise, sound and light shows, tribal life, Madhya Pradesh has everything for every travel thirsty soul. Romance with nature in the Marble Rocks of Jabalpur in the moonlight or lose yourself in the legend of the poet prince Baz Bahadur and his beautiful consort Roopmati in Mandu. Follow the trails of Prince Rama Chitrakoot. Let the hands of time which have rested lightly on the chhatris, palaces and forts of Orchha and Gwalior, whisper the tales of medieval India. The temples of Khajuraho are India’s unique gift to the world, representing love and joys of life in a sublime expression. Madhya Pradesh is also a shopper’s paradise with beautiful Maheshwari and Chanderi textiles and bell metal craft of Bastar. The state is home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites namely Sanchi, Bhimbetka and Khajuraho. But perhaps the best part about Madhya Pradesh is its accessibility. It is equally close to major tourist destinations from all over the country, being the 'Heart of India'.

Formed into one state by bringing The Panna National Park has been added as togethe former states of Madhya Bharat, the 12th Biosphere Reserve to the UNESCO Vindhya Pradesh & Bhopal World Network of Biosphere Reserves MP has India's largest reserve of (2020) diamonds Home to two Shiv Jyotirlinga Temples- 2nd largest state by area after Rajasthan Mahakaleshwar and Omkareshwar Rudyard Kipling 's 'Jungle Book' was MP has 11 National Parks, 24 Wildlife inspired from settings and Sanctuaries & 6 Tiger Reserves surroundings of MP's Pench Tiger Birthplace of legendary singers Lata Reserve Mangeshkar & Kishore Kumar Home to 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites Kumbh Mela is held every 12 years near the (Sanchi Stupa, Bhimbetka rock shelters Shipra River in Ujjain & Khajuraho Group of Monuments) Stay connected with Madhya Pradesh : @MPTourism https://www.mptourism.com/

INDIA IN T&T NEWSLETTER PAGE 8 EEdduuccaattiioonnaall IInnssttiittuutteess iinn IInnddiiaa

KEY FACTS

IITK is a public Engineering Institution located in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh est. in 1959 Declared an Institute of National importance by the Institutes of Technology Act, 1961 IIT, KANPUR AT A GLANCE : First institute in India to offer Computer Science education Soon after the five IITs were set up (in Delhi, Kanpur, Madras, Bombay & Kharagpur), Pandit The Computer Science & Engineering Jawaharlal Nehru (former PM) had realized that to keep pace with the ever changing world of science Department is highly prestigious & annually, & technology, it is necessary to collaborate closely with the outside world. it admits about 78 students in the B.Tech. The Kanpur Indo-American Programme (1962-1972) at IIT- program & 50 students in the M.Tech. Kanpur was a stride in this direction. During 1962-72, the Institute received technical assistance under KIAP from a program consortium of nine leading Institutions of U.S.A in which 'Jugnu' is an Indian nanosatellite designed & faculty members from these Institutions assisted in the developed by IITK students setting up of the academic programs and development of Ranked No. 4 in Engineering among all laboratories for instruction and research. Universities in India by the National Institutional Ranking Framework, Govt. of From its very inception, IIT Kanpur has been striving to develop itself into an institution of India excellence in education and research in consonance with the contemporary and future needs of There is a Flight Laboratory at the airstrip India. In meeting this challenge, the Institute has always been making special efforts to recruit inside IITK & is used by its Aerospace talented faculty on a world-wide basis and to admit brilliant students from all over the country by a careful selection process. Continuous efforts have been made to provide the faculty with well- Engineering department. equipped facilities to enable them to participate in national endeavors in Science and Technology in First academic institution ever to start an a major way. In addition to offering formal Undergraduate and Post-graduate Programs, the Institute exclusive air service between two major has been involved in Continuing Education and Research & Development in areas of value to both industrial towns( Kanpur & Lucknow) the Industry and the Government. In a very short span, the Institute has attained recognition as a major centre of learning in Engineering, Science and several Inter-disciplinary Areas.

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Dr. Ajay Bhushan Pandey, Finance Secretary, Dr. Arvind Krishna, CEO, International Business Machines (IBM) Mr. Jeet Bindra, retired President, Chevron Global Manufacturing N.R. Narayana Murthy: Founder & Chairman Emeritus of Infosys Dr. Rakesh Agrawal: National Medal of Technology and Innovation Laureate & Professor of Chemical Engineering at Purdue University Prof Rishikesha Krishnan, Director of IIM, Bangalore Prof. Jyotirmayee Dash, prestigious Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Awardee, in Chemical Sciences (2020) Mr. Kemuel Lodrick, Dominica Prof. Saikat Guha, Director of NSF Quantum of Networks & National, participated in an Associate Professor, the University of Arizona Introduction to Cyber Security Dr. Abdul Qayum , honored as 'India's Noted Officers', 2020 Course under ITEC at IITK (2019)

For more information on Academics & Admissions, please visit : https://www.iitk.ac.in/

INDIA IN T&T NEWSLETTER PAGE 9 Media Coverage of the High Commission

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