Namaskar,
1. It is
a pleasure for me to extend warm greetings to all of you on the occasion of 74th
Foundation Day of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). ICCR Foundation Day is always a very special
day for all those, who learn, educate, relish and appreciate the Indian
culture.
2. The
Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) was founded on 9th
April 1950 by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, a noted freedom fighter and independent
India’s first Education Minister. Its objectives are to actively participate in
the formulation and implementation of policies and programmes pertaining to
India’s external cultural relations; to foster and strengthen cultural
relations and mutual understanding between India and other countries; to
promote cultural exchanges with other countries and people, and to develop
relations with nations.
3. India
is a country of diversity. We truly believe in the intrinsic tapestry of
individual values. The beauty of he world lies in the diversity of its people
and cultural ties are the foundation of people-to-people relationship. ICCR has
played a tremendous role in connecting people and disseminating Indian culture
by organizing numerous cultural events throughout the world and exchanging the
artists and scholars providing different scholarships and fellowships.
4. Many
of you who are present today in the event are ICCR alumni and therefore
cultural representatives of Indian culture in Tajikistan and some of you are
gathered here today to know about its functions. We are happy to share with you
that, at our Swami Vivekananda Cultural Center, we conduct various courses to learn
Yoga, Indian dances and percussion.
5. Today’s
function is about the celebration of the friendships that we have built through
sharing of our knowledge, culture and experience under the ITEC and ICCR
programmes. It provides us an opportunity to re-connect with ITEC and ICCR
alumni.
6. We
have several esteemed alumni of ITEC and ICCR present here today, including two
distinguished scholars Prof Dr Zubaidullo Ubaidulloev and Ms. Nigina
Dushanbieva who have graduated from the prestigious JNU.
7. We would
request them to share their experiences today.
8. Then
you will enjoy the cultural performance by the current and former students of
SVCC, Dushanbe.
Thank You.
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