Year of India in Canada to kick off in March

TORONTO - India has unveiled year-long activities and programmes for its Year of India in Canada with the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Carleton University to fund an India Chair at the university’s Canada-India Centre for Excellence in Science, Technology, Trade and Policy.

The Year of India in Canada will start March 4 with cultural performances.

Under the MoU, the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) will establish a Visiting Chair focused on India-related studies at Ottawa’s Carleton University, according to Indian High Commissioner S.M. Gavai who signed the MoU with Carleton president Roseann O’Reilly Runte Monday.

“The government of India will fund the Chair for ten years. Though the amount has not been quantified, our government will pay its expenses,” India deputy high commissioner Narinder Chauhan told IANS.

Thanking India for its gesture, Roseann O’Reilly Runte said, “We are most grateful to the Indian government. This generous contribution will make Carleton’s centre a unique resource for the university, the community and our country. ”

After launching its Canada-India Centre of Excellence in Science, Technology, Trade and Policy in February last year, Carleton now becomes the first Canadian university to have a full-fledged India Chair.

The Canada-India Centre of Excellence in Science, Technology, Trade and Policy is aimed at bringing together members of the academic, business and public policy communities in both countries to provide cutting-edge research, analysis, training and exchanges.

The Indian High Commissioner also unveiled programmes for the Year of India in Canada which will bring Indian films, cuisine, and exhibitions of Indian art and culture to Canada. Year-long activities include seminars on promoting trade and business, conferences on enhanced co-operation, food and film festivals and much more.

The celebrations will formally kick off March 4 with a performance by sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan at the Museum of Civilization in Gatineau in Quebec.

2011 was designated as the Year of India in Canada by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Canadian counterpart during

the latter’s visit to India in November 2009.

“The aim is to showcase India’s rich art and culture, as well as its rise as an economic power, thereby promoting closer people-to-people ties across a broad range of sectors, including business,” said Gavai.

“We invite all communities across Canada to partake in the events and festivities,” the Indian envoy added.

(Gurmukh Singh can be contacted at gurmukh.s@ians.in)