Embassy of India | Activities of the Centre

This year MFA organized the food Festival on May 2, 2009, apart form Indian Cultural Centre, Embassy India, other Cultural Centres and Embassies, such as Embassy of Iran, Germany, USA, Italy, Egypt, Byelorussia, Greece and others actively took part in the Festival, they present their national food and Cultural Programmes.

The Function was inaugurated by H. E. Mr. Khamidulla Karamatov, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, who welcomed guests and congratulated them on the occasion. The LBSCIC along with the active help of wives of India based officers and staffs, prepared different foods items which representing our nation, we specially take care to prepare the food representing the different states of India for this Event. It was highly appreciated and people form different embassy as well as Uzbeks like the food. Kathak dance students of the Centre decorated the Festival of Food with colourful performance presenting classical dance items as well as folk ones.

The Function was attended by VIP invitees and distinguished guests. Indian Table was very much crowded and everybody enjoyed food items cooked by spouse of Embassy officials and staff. Total amount received for food items of India by the Committee of the Festival for charity purpose was 121,600 Soums/-.

Cultural Programme organised by LBSCIC during inauguration of Zoom magazine includes, Kathak and Bollywood group dance, these programme was highly appreciated by the audience.

Cultural programme continued with the fashion show of local designers and performance by merited actress of Uzbekistan Mrs. Larisa Maskalyova, petite show by the well-known singer Ms. Indi (who has got her name in honour of Indira Gandhi and was born in Delhi).

LBSCIC has visited Uzbekistan’s most ancient city Bukhara, on the invitation of the Hokimiyat of Bukhara Region and the Bukhara State University to participate in a half-day International conference at the Bukhara State University on May 11, 2009 and same date in the evening present a cultural programme at Cultural Palace

Next day in the morning at 10 o’clock Bukhara State University and LBSCIC jointly organized a half-day International conference on “Indo-Uzbek Relations”. The Conference was well attended by prominent historians and academicians and students of Bukhara University. In the commencement of the seminar Mr. Oltyn Yoriyev, the Rector of the Bukhara University was introduced with the members of the group and highlighted close and ancient friendly ties with India. Then Mr. K.D. Dewal, SS (Pol) made a slide show presentation on “India – Past, Present and Future” Speaker covered all economy of India: technology, oceanography, education and type of Universities, ITEC Programme and link between India and Uzbekistan etc. The paper was presented in Russian and audience was impressed on it.

Dr. Nasir Raza Khan, Director, LBSCIC gave a presentation on “Indo-Uzbek Relations: Looking through art and culture". He spoke about the cultural-historical relations between India and Uzbekistan which dated back to the early centuries. Moreover he underlined the cultural affinities between the two counties, quoting some concrete examples: art forms, architecture and knowledge. He especially mentioned the mutual influence in the pattern of architecture of medieval period of history and said world – wide famous Taj Mahal is a wonderful proof of this assimilation.

A cultural evening took place at the Bukhara Cultural Palace after Abu Ali ibn Sina. In the beginning the deputy Hakim of Bukhara city Mr. Rustamov Kiyomiddin welcomed the guests and pointed continuously developing cultural ties between India and Uzbekistan. Afterward Dr. Nasir Raza Khan, Director, LBSCIC, warmly greeted and thanked to Bukhara Regional and City Hakimiyats for inviting LBSCIC to ancient city Bukhara. He assured that Cultural Centre shall provide possible help to everyone who is interested on Indian Culture: dance, music, film etc. and invited to the LBSCIC.

A performance of “Tal Vadya Kacheri” and “Sitar” Cultural Groups from India was held in Tashkent University of Informational Technologies (TUIT) on May 24, 2009. Initiated by ICCR, Delhi, India performance was organized by Lal Bahadur Shastri Centre for Indian Culture, Embassy of India in collaboration with the Administration of TUIT.

Performance was started by welcome speeches of Prof. Syed Manal Shah Alquadri, Ambassador of India in Uzbekistan and Prof. Nematulla Mouminov, Pro-rector, Tashkent University of Informational Technologies.

Under the patronage of UNESCO the VII international musical festival “Sharq Taronalari” (Melodies of East) was organized from August 25^th till 29^th, 2009 on the theme of “The place of Oriental music in the world’s civilization” in Samarkand city, Uzbekistan.

This year the International Festival gathered more than 400 representatives from 48 countries. The performances of the participants were started in August 25, 2009. According to the programme 12 countries performed during the first day. Representatives from India were among those luckiest. The 8 Member Cultural Troupe “Langa Manganiar” led by Mr. Bhugra Khan represented Republic of India in this VII International Festival of Folk Music.

After the arrival to Tashkent from Samarkand, the 8 Member Cultural Troupe “Langa Manganiar” performed in the Premises of LBSCIC on August 30, 2009.

Then the 8 Member Group lured the visitors with their wonderful and ace-high performance. As well as the items presented during the Festival in Samarkand the Group performed other demonstrations during the Function. The Performance was of great success and was warmly welcomed by the visitors.

A function was organized by the Cultural Centre on Friday 28^th August, 2009 at 1630 to demonstrate the henna or Mehdi art. Function was attended by Hindi students, Kathak students of the Centre and girls who admire of Indian art and culture.

Henna was regarded as having "Barakah," blessings, and was applied for luck as well as joy and beauty. Brides typically had the most henna, and the most complex patterns, to support their greatest joy, and wishes for luck.

The Council of Friendship Societies of Uzbekistan actively develops interaction between Uzbek people and different foreign Missions accredited in Tashkent. A major annual event of the Council is organization of a Food Festival, which all Embassies are invited to participate in. This year more than 25 countries participated at this joyful evening in “Poytaht” Hotel on September 23, 2009. Representatives from the Embassies of different countries and Cultural Centers, accredited in Uzbekistan, made every effort to win a prize with their tasty national delicacies.

Apart from offering, a variety of delicious food items covering the different regions of India, India’s stall was decorated with several pieces of ethnic Indian Art. Spouses of the Officers of the Embassy cooked wonderful Indian dishes, which can be differed due to their specific, unique taste. The Judges and audience had tried Indian delicious food items and were very appreciative of the same.

September 25, 2009 is celebrated as Hindi Day at LBSCIC Premises. Hindi has a long history behind; Hindi has traveled a huge distance to make its presence felt in the world. It is spoken in many parts of the world and if it is the mother tongue of 180 million people then it is also the second language of 300 million people. Hindi being a live language is gaining popularity and on the way to become a global language.

Presidential speech by H.E Prof. (Dr) Syed Manal Shah Alquadri, Ambassador of India. On the occasion, H.E. mentioned remarkable points of growing success of Hindi in large measures and expressed his appreciation for the wonderful way the LBSCIC was making progress and support it got from Hindi courses.

During the Programme with consequences of the Hindi Day competition Dr. Bayot Rakhmatov and Dr. Ulfat Muhibova made their statements. In all 12 prizes were awarded.

During the period of October 7-8, 2009 12-Member delegation of “Odissi” Dance Group led by Guru Shri Durga Charan Ranbir made a tour to Uzbekistan on their way back from Moscow, Russia. During the visit the Group has given 2 performances in Tashkent:

The activities of LBSCIC are becoming very popular and spreading far wide across Uzbekistan amongst the cross-section of community. This is because the cultural troupe of the Centre has been visiting various regions of Uzbekistan and showcasing the Dance and Music to the admirers of India in these regions. These however have been possible because of support we always been receiving from the Hokimiyat of various Regions.

Recently LBSCIC has visited Navoi city on the invitation of the Hokimiyat of Navoi Region to present a joint cultural programme at Cultural Palace named after Farhad on November 10, 2009 and to participate in a half-day International conference at the Navoi State Pedagogical Institute on November 11, 2009.

Following the welcoming addresses from both sides, there was Cultural Programme. The audience included a large component of Navoi’s youth and student community. The programme lasted 80 minutes, which was witnessed by more than 600 people.

An Academic Seminar on Indo-Uzbek Relations was held on very next day in the Assembly Hall of Navoi Pedagogical Institute.

The Seminar started with the welcome speech by the Rector of the Institute, who introduced the guest to the local audience. The Rector made an excursion towards the history of Indo-Uzbek Relations, underlining the fact that recent visit on high level compile the vital step in further strengthening of relations of friendship and cooperation.

The seminar was followed by speech of H.E. Ambassador of India in Uzbekistan. Prof. Syed Manal Shah Alquadri shared his knowledge regarding the links that the territories used to negotiate through long time ago whether would it be the trade, political either cultural relations between the countries. Counting the rotes that connected the countries of the region he smoothly shifted to the interrelation of the religious belief of the people of Central Asia and India, correspondingly. Ambassador expressed his wish that those relations between two countries that presented long time ago will relive for the welfare of two nations.

The Seminar was followed by speech of Dr. Nasir Raza Khan, Director (LBSCIC) who spoke on “Cultural Links of Uzbekistan and India”. His talk was supported by Power Point Presentation as well. The existence of deep cultural relations between the countries was reiteratively proved by the Director with the presence of common architectural tracery of dozens of constructions as in India and Uzbekistan.

Further Sundeep Wankhade, Yoga Teacher of LBSCIC screened his Power Point Presentation on Yoga and its use for ones health. In his presentation, Yoga Teacher explained the main ideas of Yoga, its origin and use for the improvement of health. With the help of the Presentation the visitors came to know that with the practice of Yoga a person can alter his Physiological parameters as Blood Pressure, Heart Rate, Skin Resistance, Brain Waves, Body Temperature and many other body functions.

At the end of the Seminar Dr. Syed Manal Shah Alquadri was requested to consider the possibility of sending Yoga Teacher to the City to share his experience with local people.

Summarizing the Seminar the Rector of the Pedagogical Institute expressed his sincere gratitude to the Indian Delegation for visiting Navoi and holding such a productive Academic Issue.

It has become a good tradition at LBSCIC to mark Jawaharlal Nehru’s birthday by organizing a competition among students of Tashkent Hindi schools.

November 13, 2009, around 70 students from 2 Hindi schools and 2 Academic Lyceums of Oriental Studies came to LBSCIC to participate in the painting competition, dedicated to 120th Birth Anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru.

The subject for painting was “India in my imagination”. Works by children were displayed in the Conference Hall of the Centre. On the same date while jury selected the best paintings there was a special programme dedicated to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru at LBSCIC Premises.

After the cultural programme the winners of the painting competition were announced by Dr. Nasir Raza Khan, Director of LBSCIC and Mr. K.D. Dewal, HOC, EOI, with Director presented them the prizes.

· The first prize was given to Ms. Tohlibaeva Zubayda, a student of Lyceum under TSIOS.

November 20, 2009 is celebrated as the International Student’s Festival which is organized for the first time in Uzbekistan on the birthday of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the founder – President of Indian Council for Cultural Relation. In India this event over the years has become very popular and displays the musical and dance talents of the overseas scholars who depict portions of their national culture on stage for their friend, fellow students and large Indian audience. On the occasion of International Student’s Festival LBSCIC has invited all alumni of ICCR Scholars from 1995 to 2007.

The function was presided over by Ambassador of India Prof. (Dr) Syed Manal Shah Alquadri. Taking the floor Prof. (Dr) Syed Manal Shah Alquadri spoke the Maulana was a unique person in many respects, a great son of India, of whom India would always remain proud.

The former Ambassador of Uzbekistan to India Prof. Surat Mirkasymov gave a very convincing and authentic picture of his political movements, his role in the Indian struggle for Independence – as President of the Indian National Congress from 1939 to 1946, as the outspoken of Jinnah and Partition, and as a symbol of Muslim will to coexist in secular India – is well known.

At the function eminent Indologist Dr. Sharaf Mirza also shared with some facts on Maulana Abul Kalam Azad’s contribution to Urdu prose literature with his translations and interpretation of the Quran, as well as his other religious writing and epistolary works. The facts presented by above speakers covered almost all the important aspects of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.

Since the event organized to ICCR Alumnus, the proceedings of the function were viewed some thoughts by students, who have done their studies in the Universities of India. ICCR has been playing an important role in the field of education for international students in India. Each year ICCR offers 18 slots to Uzbekistan. From 1995 till now ICCR awarded with scholarships for more than 200 students of Uzbekistan.

Former scholars of ICCR stated how much ICCR took care of international scholars from the moment they landed in India. To make foreign scholars feel at home the Council arranged study tours, picnics, summer camps etc. Moreover, they praised, India can claim its position as one of the leading countries providing quality higher education to its people as well to students and scholars coming from countries all over the world.

Quami Ekta - National Integration Week is observed from November 19-25 every year with a view to fostering and re-enforcing the spirit of communal harmony, national integration and pride in vibrant composite culture and nationhood. National Integration, Welfare of Minorities, Linguistic Harmony, Weaker Sections, Cultural Unity, women’s issues and Conservation are the themes for this Week. Activities related to a specific theme would be under the focus on each day.

One of such activities was held in the Premises of LBSCIC on November 25, 2009. More than 20 representatives of Indian Community living in Uzbekistan participated in the Function. The Event was attended by eminent Indologists and representatives of local authorities.

The Function was started by welcome remarks by Dr.Nasir Raza Khan, Director, LBSCIC, who warmly greeted the gathered for the Event. Director of ICC briefly noted some fact regarding National Foundation for Communal Harmony, its activities within India as well as abroad. Director of ICC noted that the present occasion provides an opportunity to reaffirm Indian age old traditions and faith in the values of tolerance, co-existence and brotherhood in a multi-cultural and multi-religious society.

The Function was followed by address of Ambassador of India in Uzbekistan. In his speech Ambassador underlined that the observation of the Quami Ekta helps to highlight the inherent strength and resilience of Indian nation to withstand actual and potential threats to the eclectic and secular fabric of the country, and nurture a spirit of communal harmony in its widest sense.

Further the floor was given to Mr.B. Kudratkhodjaev, Head of the Department for International Relation, Association of Journalists, Uzbekistan, who shared his thought regarding the present Event. Former PS to the Prime-Minister, Government of Uzbekistan, also shared his impression on his recent visit to India. He underlined his admiration of the process of National Integration, Welfare of Minorities, Linguistic Harmony and Cultural Unity prevailing in India.

Usually, the whole week starting from December 25 is dedicated for celebration of "New Year’s Eve". It’s the period when families, friends, colleagues come together to partake in New Year Eve parties. Parties itself are synonymous with joy and fun. Such functions will not only shower the drops of happiness, but also refresh people’s long spirits. Meeting people to share a piece of their heart gives a bright color of happiness.

Such a New Year Party was organized by LBSCIC team on December 29, 2009. The Function gathered more than 100 people and carried a Ball-Masquerade character.

The scenario of the Function was originated from an Old fairy tale in which there were a Father Frost, his daughter – Snow girl, old witch –negative character and many other fabulous personages.

Mostly the Function was young kids oriented Evening. Thus New Year Celebrations at LBSCIC was charming for the children of Indian Community residing in Uzbekistan, local people and other guests of the Function. The youngest participants partook in different games and contests, sang New Year songs and recited poems around the Christmas Tree decorated in LBSCIC. And it goes without saying that all young participants and performers were presented memorial gifts from Father Frost.

Every year the Mission of Charity (Sisters of Mother Teresa) along with LBSCIC organizes New Year Function for children from lower income families at LBSCIC premises.

The Sisters prepared different games, sing songs along with children, and share with them a New Year cake, presented gifts. Professional performers and artists were invited to the Function to make the Evening more interesting and joyful.