The year 2012 commemorates the 60th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations between Japan and India. In this milestone year, over 160 different events have been held or are scheduled to be held in various fields, in many places all over India, to deepen the mutual understanding between the peoples of Japan and India on each other’s traditions and culture, as well as technologies, under the theme of “Resurgent Japan, Vibrant India: New Perspectives, New Exchanges”.

Among them, the largest event is a Spectacular Fireworks Show held at the India Gate Lawns of New Delhi, on Friday, 7th December 2012*, from 9pm to 9.20 pm, which marks the Grand Finale of the 60th Anniversary of Japan-India Diplomatic Relations.

* (The event, earlier scheduled to be held on Saturday, 1st December, was unfortunately called off, since the Indian government had decided that it mourns the death of Former Prime Minister H.E. Mr. I. K. Gujral on 30 November, for seven days. However, based on consultations with the relevant people and organizations, the closing event was re-scheduled to take place on Friday, 7th December.)

The event started with projection mapping against the backdrop of India Gate, in synchronization with music, from approx. 9.00pm to 9.10pm, depicting 3-dimensional images showing the scenes and cultures of Japan and India expressing the friendship between the two countries. This was immediately followed by a dazzling fireworks display from 9.10pm to 9.20pm, during which about 2200 fireworks were launched in the sky, some of which never seen before in India. These fireworks can be termed as the true product of the collaboration between Japanese fireworks craftsmen and their Indian counterparts.

The design concept of the entire event was laid out by Ms. Junko Koshino, renowned international fashion designer.

About 5,000 people gathered at the India Gate and appreciated the fireworks display.