Indian cultural centre in Egypt holds seminar to deepen ties

Indian cultural centre in Egypt holds seminar to deepen ties

Cairo, Apr 28 (PTI) Indian cultural (सांस्कृतिक) centre in Egypt, serving as Indias window to reach out to Egyptians, has organised a seminar aimed at maintaining and strengthening bilateral relations.Organised by the Maulana Azad Centre for Indian Culture (MACIC) on Wednesday, the seminar Cultural Festivals ? Bridge between India and Egypt" was part MACICs monthly seminar series involving youth, academicians, culture lovers, civil society to discuss issue of bilateral interest.

"The culture of any country plays an important role for deepening the bilateral relations between two countries," said Indias Ambassador to Egypt Sanjay Bhattacharya in his concluding remarks.

"Cultural festivals like India by the Nile give opportunities for exposing the diversity of cultural (सांस्कृतिक विविधता) offerings, reinforcing (सुदृढ बनाना) brand and cultural experiences and opening up cooperation between the two sides," he said. Eminent speakers from diverse fields shared their thoughts and experiences at the event. They appreciated(सराहना की) the role of Indian cinema for promoting relations and also gave many important suggestions for further development of relations in all fields. Sherif Amasha, Associate Professor in the Higher Institute of Cinema, emphasised the role of culture and cultural festivals for deepening the bilateral relations between India and Egypt. Established in 1992 as part of the Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP), MACIC has been spreading different aspects of the Indian culture. The centre hosts some of the activities of the India by the Nile, the largest cultural festival in Egypt. 

MACIC, located in Cairo, is the only Indian cultural Center in the region. It was named after Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the founder of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and the scholar-statesman who had close links with the Arab world. 

ABOUT Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)-1950 

The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) was founded in 1950 by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, 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.