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  A Sampler : Feedback from Diplomatic Missions and Media abroad

  Nepal: ... of all the activities (organised by the Indian Embassy), the cultural activities proved to be unforgettable events for the Nepalese people.. No quantum of money would have won the hearts of the Nepalese as much as it was done by the (visiting) Indian artistes: EXPLORE NEPAL weekly: 11.8.98
  
  France: ICCR's support for the 50th Independence Anniversary Celebrations in France has been valuable.. cultural troupes (sent by the ICCR) comprised a wide representation of the Indian performing arts: Thyambaka of Kerala, the Bharati Shivaji Bharatanatyam troupe (she was awarded a medal by the Mayor of Paris..), Kuttiyattam, Hindustani vocal music (Gangubai Hangal), sitar (Pt Shivu Taralaghatti), puppeteers and langas of Rajasthan.. a number of contemporary Indian artists....local organisers have, without exception, expressed their satisfaction with the troupes sent by ICCR. The reputation of troupes coming through the ICCR is high with organisers increasingly asking for artists through the ICCR ... for ensuring the high quality..The existing positive image of India has been re-inforced through these cultural events Shri Kanwal Sibal, Ambassador of India
  
  Uzbekistan: In active collaboration with the ICCR...series of lectures about the growth and development of India in socio-economic and cultural spheres were delivered by eminent Indian and Uzbek scholars...Round Table discussions on post-independence Indo-Uzbek relations were also held
  
  Hungary: ...the artistes and exhibits were selected by ICCR with considerable thought and care and well represented the broad spectrum of Indian performing and visual arts... ICCR was very prompt, responsive..flexible in its approach...characterised by a high degree of efficiency, positive outlook and result oriented activity Shri S J Singh, Ambassador of India
  
  Indonesia: The performances were excellent and well received by the locals and also the Indian community and created tremendous interest in Indian art and culture...one of the spin offs was that (other organisations) have started Indian cultural activities.. Foreign Minister was present at the inaugural performance on 15 August 1997... and the closing (function) on 14 August 1998...he particularly mentioned that the Embassy should continue to hold such cultural programmes (even after) the 50th Anniversary celebrations Shri M Venkataraman, Ambassador of India
  
  Morocco: ..Hundreds, if not thousands, saw the performances..with attention and enjoyment.. most active year ever in bilateral cultural exchanges.. our troupes representing most of the different regions of India contributed immensely to a better understanding of our culture and art Shri G S Iyer, Ambassador of India
  
  USA:

  • Washington: This Mission organised several highly successful events during the 50th anniversary year with the ICCR's active collaboration and assistance. These included a cartoon exhibition, performace by Pt Jasraj at the Kennedy Centre, installation of a statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Atlanta, concerts.... ICCR has been extremely co-operative and prompt in its response. The troupes that have been sent have been carefully selected so as to appeal to the local tastes and invariably the performances have left lasting impressions on the audiences, both Americans and Indians. This has generated a great amount of goodwill for India which is an asset for this Mission....In its projection of Indian culture in thie cuntry, this Mission has found a very dependable resource and ally in the ICCR
  • New York: Prof Samuel Huntington (who was invited to India by the ICCR) gave a series of lectures in India ... it was gathered here that these were widely appreciated by the audiences. The feedback here has been very positive
  • Chicago: .. (visits by various artistes, cartoon exhibition)...ICCR..extending help as well as other resources whenever we requested..deep appreciation and gratitude to the ICCR for providing audio-visual as well as other publicity material on a regular basis

  
  
  South Africa: Cape Town Office of the High Commission of India: ICCR has been most wonderful and supportive partner... receiving first class artistes.. all troupes also held workshops, attended by large numbers of South Africans, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds Shri M S Puri, Head of Office
  
  Philippines: ...a notable activity.. in collaboration with the ICCR was a working visit to India for the renowned Filipino artist Manuel Baldemor as a guest of the Council. One hundred paintings and sketches which were executed by the artist during his stay in India were subsequently displayed in an exhibition......dance and music recitals.. were widely acclaimed as among the best Indian artistic performances staged in Manila in recent years Shri C P Ravindranathan, Ambassador of India
  
  Germany: ICCR assistance was crucial to the conduct of 50th Anniversary celebrations...event attended by Vice-Chancellor/ Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel who usually never attends Embassy functions..many events at the initiative of the Germans... ICCR was involved in organising about 20 of these events.. include.. exhibition of works by Indian artists, participation in folk dance and music festival, production of special issues of German language journal Indien in der Gegenwart, cultural programmes, lectures by former Chairman of the Space Commission, lecture-demonstrations on Indian classical arts etc.... variety of these events indicates the extent of ICCR's participation in conducting the celebrations successfully in Germany
  
  Reunion Islands: ICCR's collaboration was indispensible and invaluable for the all the celebrations....(including joint production of a ballet) ..fostered cultural ties and also projected an impressive image of India's heritage, all the more so because the co-production is the local version of the "Mahabharat".. by sponsoring groups which were expert in classical dance and music as well as folk dance and music, ICCR enabled the Post to present effectively the rich mosaic of India's culture : Smt Banashree Bose Harrison, Consul-General of India
  
  PDR of Lao: ... ICCR facilitated the participation of Lao artists in the workshop-cum-exhibition of Indian and South-East Asian Tribal & Folk Artists (Bhopal; May 1998)..artists were very happy with this exposure Shri S D Muni, Ambassador of India
  
  Myanmar: ..ICCR provided this Mission with sets of Indian musical instruments,.. books on religious and cultural themes...(gifting of which) to socio-cultural organisations generated a great deal of goodwill for India and helped publicise the theme of Indian Independence Shri Shyam Saran, Ambassador of India
  
  Tanzania: Disadvantaged children in Dar-es-Salaam are among those who will benefit from the money raised by the Indian High Commission and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and other sponsors: media reports

Site : Wednesday 4 November 1998 :

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