Page 6 - The Indian EYE 041825

EYE ON INDIA APRIL 18, 2025 | The Indian Eye 6

ICCR’S 75TH ANNIVERSARY

Celebration relives India’s heritage

as Dr Jaishankar underscores Indian

identity taking global center-stage

EKTA SAXENA (Clockwise): Dr Jaishankar with Mrs Nandini Singla and others at ICCR; the Stree Shakti performance;
New Delhi and the group from Vietnam on the stage
A “importance of bringing the world to India more ef- is a much sharper awareness of our culture, heritage
scintillating evening of vibrant cultural perfor-
mances, an elite gathering of renowned artists fectively” during its G20 presidency.
and traditions... Traditions and inheritance that were
and guests, and a dazzling décor marked the
long neglected have now been revived. More lan-
Dr Jaishankar said, “The journey of develop-
75th anniversary celebration of the Indian Council ment in the Amrit Kaal is based on the twin tracks of guages enjoy classical status and our habits and prac-
of Cultural Relations (ICCR) on April 9th. Exter- tradition and technology... Let me make a reference tices, whether we speak of Yoga, Ayurveda or millets,
nal Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar was the chief here to our G20 presidency because perhaps there they are receiving a new impetus and momentum...”
guest of this milestone occasion in the history of cul- are a few events in recent times which brought out Mrs. K. Nandini Singla, the Director General of
tural diplomacy. the importance of bringing the world to India more ICCR, is steering this very pivotal organization with
The evening kickstarted with a breathtaking per- effectively than that presidency. In that particular her hard work and focused approach. Mr Rajeev Ku-
formance by Stree Shakti led by the Tabla exponent, year, we saw the most effective influencers of the mar, the Deputy Director General, ICCR delivered
Ms Anuradha Pal, accompanied by expert women world of our times come, see and leave impressed.” the Vote of thanks and vowed to bring more vigor in
artists on violin, Mridangam, Sitar, etc. at the Azad “Two years later, we are still seeing the reverber- the efforts of ICCR to strengthen and align Indian cul-
Bhawan auditorium in the ICCR premises. The per- ations of that presidency, which I believe will contin- ture as a binding force for integrating the whole world.
formance was highly applauded by the esteemed au- ue further. Just as we wish the world to understand us One of the aims of India’s freedom struggle was
dience. A Vietnamese group showcased the cultural better, it is important that Indians, too, develop a good to revive and strengthen the country’s cultural ties
richness of Vietnam through its performers who ex- feel for other societies and cultures. This is the do- with the outside world. This was reflected in the his-
celled on stage. main in which ICCR has long been active,” he added. toric Asian Relations Conference held in New Delhi
The entire auditorium embraced the beautiful Dr Jaishankar also underscored the significance in 1946 wherein it was resolved to set up an Indian
aura of the unique Indian culture when the students of cultural exchange and discussed India’s growing Council for Cultural Cooperation to revive and pro-
of ICCR performed together. They showcased the confidence in expressing its identity and reviving its rich mote closer cultural ties with the other Asian Coun-
vibrant Indian classical dance forms like Odissi, cultural heritage, from languages gaining “classical sta- tries and to project the Indian personality and its rich
Kathak and Bharatanatyam. The evening stood tes- tus” to the global recognition of Yoga and Ayurveda. culture through “Indian eyes.”
tament to the rich Indian culture and heritage and its The minister said, “Our nation and our society The ICCR was established and formally inaugu-
appeal to the whole world. have changed profoundly. Today, we are by any mea- rated in April 1950, with the objective to establish, re-
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar high- sure more confident, authentic and committed than vive and strengthen cultural relations and mutual un-
lighted India’s evolving journey of development before in terms of expressing our identity and pro- derstanding between India and other countries and
during the “Amrit Kaal” and particularly stressed the moting its understanding. Within the country there to promote cultural exchange with other countries.

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