Pratibha Sangam competition winners honored
The Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, the cultural arm of the High Commission of India, Colombo, commemorated the 75th Foundation Day of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) at the Viharamahadevi Park Open Air Theatre in Colombo.
The event unfolded with a vibrant showcase of Indian classical dances and musical performances, painting a tapestry of cultural harmony and universality.
In inaugurating the event, High Commissioner of India Santosh Jha was joined by Minister of Education Dr. Susil Premajayantha as the Chief Guest and Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs Vidura Wickramanayaka as the Guest of Honour.
In his address, High Commissioner Jha congratulated the ICCR family on being the pillar of India’s cultural diplomacy for 75 years and counting.
Minister Premajayantha thanked ICCR for offering over 200 fully-funded scholarships annually for Sri Lankan students to pursue Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and doctoral degrees in diverse subjects in more than 120 leading Universities and institutions in India.
On this occasion, the High Commissioner, jointly with the Minister of Education, Dr Susil Premajayantha, and the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Vidura Wickramanayaka, felicitated the winners of the second edition of the Pratibha Sangam competitions.
An initiative of ICCR to commemorate 75 years of Indian independence, Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, Pratibha Sangam (Confluence of Cultures) spotlights the invaluable contributions of foreign nationals and overseas Indians to Indian classical art forms.
ICCR was founded in 1950 by India’s first Education Minister, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.
The 75th Foundation Day of ICCR holds immense significance as it commemorates 75 glorious years of an institution at the forefront of India’s cultural ties, fostering understanding, goodwill, and cooperation between India and the world.
The ICCR center in Sri Lanka, Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, under the aegis of the High Commission of India, has also completed 25 Years.
Established as a testament to the enduring friendship between India and Sri Lanka, the Centre serves as a hub for cultural exchange, appreciation, and dialogue.