Second Secretary of Embassy of India Padma Kari and President of ICC P N Baburajan with other officials during a press conference.
Doha: Celebrations marking the Qatar-MENASA 2022 Year of Culture (YoC) are set to continue as the Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) has launched the next edition of the Indian Community Festival focusing on the theme ‘Passage to India 2022’.
The festival will be held from today (March 24) until March 26 from 2pm to 11pm at Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) Park. The event is being organised with support from the Ministry of Culture, Indian Embassy and Museum of Islamic Art. The culmination of the Qatar-India 2019 YoC was with Passage to India edition.
The cultural extravaganza will showcase rich Indian culture and art forms at the prestigious MIA Park. The ICC and partner organisations, Indian schools and other community organisations will be showcasing unique aspects of India’s different regions and states through cultural programmes, cuisine and artefacts displayed throughout MIA Park. The festival also contributes to celebrations around the 75th anniversary of Indian Independence.
Aisha Ghanem Al Attiya, Director of Cultural Diplomacy, Qatar Museums, said, “The Years of Culture initiative has always been about building cross-border collaboration and friendship. We are grateful for the continued support and participation of the Indian community in Year of Culture programmes, which have seen extraordinary engagement and become highlights of the year.”
Padma Kari, Second Secretary, Embassy of India in Qatar, said, “The ‘Passage to India 2022’ Festival represents a crowning achievement of the Qatar-India 2019 YoC, which has seen cultural collaboration between Qatar and India grow and flourish. We are honoured and proud to continue strengthening the ever-growing special cultural relationship between India and the host country Qatar.”
P N Baburajan, President of Indian Cultural Centre, said, “The annual ‘Passage to India 2022’ Festival has become a signature event for the Indian expat community in Qatar celebrating Indian cultural heritage and the powerful interconnection with the people of Qatar.
A miniature replica of the Taj Mahal depicting Indian heritage has been constructed for the festival as a public attraction. Constructed in 1631 by the fifth Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved Mumtaz Mahal, the original Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage site and an architectural marvel.
The Festival will be open from 2pm to 11pm from March 24-26. Free shuttle service has been arranged from the Family Food Centre – Matar Qadeem - Car Park Area to the venue. Entry to the event is free for all.
The press conference was also attended by ICC Vice-President Subramanya Hebbagelu, General-Secretary Krishna Kumar, Organising Committee Chairman A P Manikandan, Past Vice-President of ICC and Media Coordinator Vinod Nair and Organising Committee Convenor for Volunteers K R Jayaraj.
