Inauguration Ceremony of the Special Exhibition “Japan from India’s Perspective” at the India International Centre
2022/9/20
The Embassy of Japan in India in collaboration with the India International Center, along with the support of the Japan Foundation, Canon India and JNTO, inaugurated the Special Exhibition “Japan from India’s Perspective” at Art Gallery (Kamaladevi Complex), India International Centre, New Delhi. The exhibition is a part of celebratory events to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and India as well as the 5th anniversary of the “Click! Japan Photo Contest.”
Mrs. Meenakashi Lekhi, Hon’ble Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture graced the occasion with her august presence as the guest of honour. Mr. Kunihiko KAWAZU, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Japan in India and Mr. Kanwal Wali, Secretary of India International Centre stated the opening remarks as co-hosts. The event saw in attendance many guests including a former ambassador, professors, artists, connoisseurs of Japanese arts and culture, representatives from Government of India amongst others.
The exhibition displays photographs taken by our Indian friends during their visits to Japan and submitted to the Click! Japan Photo Contests over the past five years. It also has a section of selected photographs showcasing landmarks in the trajectory of our bilateral relations. The exhibition will be put up until September 30, 2022.
At the outset, Mr. Kanwal Wali, Secretary of India International Centre delivered his opening remarks, expressing his delight about the special exhibition. He emphasized on the special connection that IIC shares with Japan, mentioning about His Royal Highness the Emperor and the Empress of Japan laid the foundation stone of the institute and later also visited IIC on their two visits to India.
This was followed by the opening remarks by Mr. Kunihiko KAWAZU, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Japan in India. Mr. Kawazu stated that the promotion of people-to-people exchanges between Japan and India will encourage the creation of jobs in Japan by utilising India's excellent IT human resources and specific skills, and will boost mutual growth in all areas, including economic cooperation between the two countries. He expressed his sincere hope that the special exhibition will help many more people in India to become aware of the attractions of Japan, and that it will also encourage them with an interest in Japan to visit Japan, visit the landscapes and places they would see in photographs, experience Japanese culture and so on, and directly experience first-hand the attractions of Japan, thereby further promoting the exchanges.
Henceforth, the dignitaries, Mrs. Meenakashi Lekhi, Hon’ble Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture, Government of India, Mr. Kunihiko KAWAZU, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Japan in India and Mr. Kanwal Wali, Secretary of India International Centre proceeded for the lighting of the lamp ceremony, marking the exhibition officially open.
Further, Hon’ble Minister of State, Mrs. Meenakashi Lekhi was invited on the dais to share her valuable thoughts. At the onset, Mrs. Lekhi stated that both Japan and India have ancient civilizations and that it is wonderful to see two countries that are proud of their distinct cultures share such an ancient and special bond. Further, touching on India and Japan celebrating 70th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations, she said that although this year officially marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and India, the bonds between the two are centuries old.
In the later part of her speech, Hon’ble Minister Lekhi encouraged people-to-people exchanges between Japan and India and called the special exhibition a perfect example of such exchanges. Minister Lekhi appreciated the pictures on display, especially the ones depicting Japanese culture such as those of cherry blossoms and women clad in kimono, expressing that all the pictures exuded a sense of calm and serenity. Hereafter, the visitors and the dignitaries took a round of the gallery while appreciating the pictures on display and went ahead for informal interactions over high tea.
We hope that through this Special Exhibition “Japan from India’s Perspective” we were able to bring our two nations even closer and develop interest towards Japan in the people of India.
Mrs. Meenakashi Lekhi, Hon’ble Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture graced the occasion with her august presence as the guest of honour. Mr. Kunihiko KAWAZU, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Japan in India and Mr. Kanwal Wali, Secretary of India International Centre stated the opening remarks as co-hosts. The event saw in attendance many guests including a former ambassador, professors, artists, connoisseurs of Japanese arts and culture, representatives from Government of India amongst others.
The exhibition displays photographs taken by our Indian friends during their visits to Japan and submitted to the Click! Japan Photo Contests over the past five years. It also has a section of selected photographs showcasing landmarks in the trajectory of our bilateral relations. The exhibition will be put up until September 30, 2022.
At the outset, Mr. Kanwal Wali, Secretary of India International Centre delivered his opening remarks, expressing his delight about the special exhibition. He emphasized on the special connection that IIC shares with Japan, mentioning about His Royal Highness the Emperor and the Empress of Japan laid the foundation stone of the institute and later also visited IIC on their two visits to India.
This was followed by the opening remarks by Mr. Kunihiko KAWAZU, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Japan in India. Mr. Kawazu stated that the promotion of people-to-people exchanges between Japan and India will encourage the creation of jobs in Japan by utilising India's excellent IT human resources and specific skills, and will boost mutual growth in all areas, including economic cooperation between the two countries. He expressed his sincere hope that the special exhibition will help many more people in India to become aware of the attractions of Japan, and that it will also encourage them with an interest in Japan to visit Japan, visit the landscapes and places they would see in photographs, experience Japanese culture and so on, and directly experience first-hand the attractions of Japan, thereby further promoting the exchanges.
Henceforth, the dignitaries, Mrs. Meenakashi Lekhi, Hon’ble Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture, Government of India, Mr. Kunihiko KAWAZU, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Japan in India and Mr. Kanwal Wali, Secretary of India International Centre proceeded for the lighting of the lamp ceremony, marking the exhibition officially open.
Further, Hon’ble Minister of State, Mrs. Meenakashi Lekhi was invited on the dais to share her valuable thoughts. At the onset, Mrs. Lekhi stated that both Japan and India have ancient civilizations and that it is wonderful to see two countries that are proud of their distinct cultures share such an ancient and special bond. Further, touching on India and Japan celebrating 70th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations, she said that although this year officially marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and India, the bonds between the two are centuries old.
In the later part of her speech, Hon’ble Minister Lekhi encouraged people-to-people exchanges between Japan and India and called the special exhibition a perfect example of such exchanges. Minister Lekhi appreciated the pictures on display, especially the ones depicting Japanese culture such as those of cherry blossoms and women clad in kimono, expressing that all the pictures exuded a sense of calm and serenity. Hereafter, the visitors and the dignitaries took a round of the gallery while appreciating the pictures on display and went ahead for informal interactions over high tea.
We hope that through this Special Exhibition “Japan from India’s Perspective” we were able to bring our two nations even closer and develop interest towards Japan in the people of India.
