MAURITIUS AND INDIA SIGN CULTURAL
EXCHANGE PROGRAMME
India and Mauritius
will hold series of cultural programmes during 2003-5 to promote
awareness among masses about culture and heritage of both the
countries. Both the countries have historical relations and similarity
in various aspects of culture and heritage. The promotion of cultural
activities will further strengthen these relations. A cultural
exchange programme with this objective was signed today in New
Delhi by the Secretary, Culture, Shri Dhanendra Kumar and Permanent
Secretary, Ministry of Arts & Culture, Govt. of Mauritius,
Mrs. Nirmala Boodhoo in the presence of Minister for Tourism and
Culture, Shri Jagmohan and Minister of Art and Culture of Mauritius,
Mr. Motee Ramdass.
According to the
programme both the countries will exchange troops of performing
arts and culture. Every year, weeklong exhibitions of folk arts
and traditions will be held in both countries. Eminent artists
and painters will conduct workshop in each other’s country. National
Museum of both the countries will exchange objects and museum
expertise besides joint exhibitions in both the countries. India
will provide microfilms of India Immigration available from the
Mauritian archives and other interesting archival materials. National
Museum, Delhi will provide a set of replicas of Indian sculptures
to Mauritius. Both the countries will also encourage exchange
of children’s film and shall hold film weeks in each others country.
India will also provide
training facilities for the officers of Rajeev Gandhi Science
Centre set up in Mauritius by Indian Government. Besides training
in archaeology, library science and some other areas mutually
agreed.
Declaring the programme
signed today a milestone in bilateral relations of both countries,
Shri Jagmohan said that it would further strengthen the ties of
both countries. He said India would like to provide expertise
in various technical field of archaeological science, museuology,
library and conservation of manuscripts. Replying Shri Jagmohan’s
observations, Minister of Mauritius said that people of Mauritius
look towards India with great hope and feel very close to India
because of age-old relations and cultural ties.
