Latest news with #IndianCouncilforCulturalRelations
Hans India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hans India
India to host first global cultural games in New Delhi in December
New Delhi: India will host the first-ever Global Pythonova Pythian Games in the National capital, New Delhi, from December 3–5, 2025. The announcement was made during the '3rd National Executive Council Meeting' of the Pythian Council of India, held in New Delhi under the leadership of Bijender Goel, founder of the Modern Pythian Games and founding secretary general of the International Pythian Council. He was accompanied by Shantanu Agrahari, President, and Siva Kumar, Secretary General of the Pythian Council of India. Inspired by the ancient Pythian Games of Greece—one of the four Pan-Hellenic Games held in honour of Apollo at Delphi—the Modern Pythian Games revive this cultural legacy after nearly 1,630 years. The games, originally focused on excellence in music, poetry, arts, and prophecy, were envisioned anew in 2020 by Goel and formally launched in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Delegates and executive members from various Indian states attended the meeting, engaging in strategic discussions to promote the Pythian Games at the local and global levels. In a press briefing following the meeting, Goel revealed that the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) has assured full cooperation in this global cultural initiative. He also shared details of his recent constructive discussions with Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, raising hopes for inclusive participation. Goel announced that the International Delphic Committee (Russia), Ecumenical Delphic Union (Greece), and the Government of Cyprus have officially endorsed the Modern Pythian Movement. 'The ancient Pythian Games were one of the four Panhellenic Games of Greece, dedicated to the god Apollo, and were held in Delphi. These games were a celebration of excellence in art, music, poetry, and prophecy, and served as a major centre for cultural exchange. After nearly 1,630 years, Bijender Goel conceived the idea of the Modern Pythian Games in the year 2020, and it was formally announced in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the movement has spread globally and has become a significant platform dedicated to art, tradition, and cultural diplomacy,' he said. "In a world full of divisions, the Pythian Games offer a global platform for unity through culture," he said. He further added that a centralised franchise model will be introduced for the Pythian Games at the global, national, and local levels, to ensure transparency, accountability, and a streamlined functioning." Shantanu Agrahari, President of the Pythian Council of India, announced that the next National Pythian Games will be held in September/October 2025. He stated, "These national games will serve as an important training ground for Indian artists and participants." He further added, "India's rich cultural heritage and young talent make it a suitable host for global events." Unlike conventional sporting events, the Modern Pythian Games are the world's only multidisciplinary cultural games, celebrating art, culture, heritage, traditional sports, and creative technology under one unified platform. 'In a world divided by differences, the Pythian Games offer a global stage for unity through culture,' said Goel. He also announced a global-to-local franchise model for the games to ensure transparency, accountability, and streamlined operations. The games serve as a complement to the Olympic Games, offering a global stage to disciplines not represented in the Olympics, such as art, heritage, traditional sports, and creative technology. Kumar emphasised that the Indian operations are guided by an international charter and supported by various governments, cultural institutions, and professionals around the world.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
TMC, BJP condemn vandalism at Tagore's ancestral home in Bangladesh
The ancestral home of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore in Bangladesh's Sirajganj district was vandalised earlier this week following a confrontation between a visitor and museum staff, prompting strong condemnation from leaders across the political spectrum in West Bengal. The incident took place at the historic Kachharibari, now a museum known as the Rabindra Memorial Museum. According to local reports, a dispute broke out between a visitor and staff at the entrance over a parking fee for a motorcycle. The visitor was allegedly confined to a room and physically assaulted, which led to a local outcry. A mob reportedly stormed the premises, damaging property and attacking officials. The site has since been closed to the public, and authorities have launched an investigation. West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari blamed the attack on activists of the BNP and Chhatra Shibir in a post on social media. 'The sacred legacy of our most precious Kobiguru Rabindranath Thakur was desecrated in Sirajganj, Bangladesh… This shameful and utterly disgraceful act of destruction targeted a site that embodies Bengal's cultural soul and Tagore's universal message of humanity,' he posted. Adhikari said he also raised the issue at the Snan Yatra celebration of Jagannath Dev at the Indian Council for Cultural Relations in Kolkata on Monday. He called the incident a 'wake-up call' for Hindus in West Bengal. 'When extremist forces gain ground, they spare no one; not even a figure revered worldwide like Tagore. The attack on Kachharibari is not just an assault on a building—it's an attack on our shared heritage, our identity, and our values,' he continued in his post. The sacred legacy of our most precious Kobiguru Rabindranath Thakur was desecrated in Sirajganj, Bangladesh, where a mob led by BNP and Chhatra Shibir activists vandalized the historic Rabindra Kachari Bari. This shameful & utterly disgraceful act of destruction targeted a site… — Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) June 12, 2025 He also referred to areas in West Bengal such as Malda, Murshidabad, and Maheshtala, claiming that 'demographic changes' were putting cultural sites at risk. 'The BJP is committed to safeguarding our cultural roots… The way things are going ahead in West Bengal, mimicking the rampage of Radical Islamist Forces with the aid and abetment of the (Chief Minister) Mamata Banerjee government, if there is no course correction in 2026, then similar vandalism will happen in Jorasanko Thakurbari and Santiniketan in a few years' time,' he alleged. The Trinamool Congress also condemned the attack. 'We strongly condemn the vandalism of Kobiguru Rabindranath Tagore's ancestral home in Bangladesh's Sirajganj district. Gurudev is a symbol of Bengal's cultural heritage and a global icon of literature and humanism,' the party said in a statement. 'Such acts of disrespect are an affront to every Bengali's identity and pride. We urge the Central Government to take cognizance and initiate bilateral dialogue so the culprits are brought to justice. Our icons are not collateral damage for mob fury.' We strongly condemn the vandalism of Kobiguru Rabindranath Tagore's ancestral home in Bangladesh's Sirajganj district. Gurudev is a symbol of Bengal's cultural heritage and a global icon of literature and humanism. Such acts of disrespect are an affront to every Bengali's… — All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) June 12, 2025 BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar also criticised the incident, calling it 'shameful' and 'outrageous'. In a post on X, he said: 'Even the ancestral home of Nobel laureate and global icon Kabiguru Rabindranath Tagore is not spared—vandalised under the rule of Mohammad Yunus in Bangladesh… This attack is not just on a building—it is a direct assault on the soul of Bengali identity, on the legacy of free thought, and on the very symbol of art and intellect. One question echoes out loud — is Tagore now a 'criminal' too in Bangladesh, simply because he was a Hindu?' On Tuesday, the museum auditorium was vandalised and one of its directors reportedly assaulted. Md Habibur Rahman, custodian of the Kachharibari, told local media that the site had been shut temporarily due to 'unavoidable circumstances' and that the entire premises was now under official surveillance. Located in Shahzadpur in Bangladesh's Rajshahi division, the two-storey Kachharibari building was constructed by Tagore's grandfather, Dwarkanath Tagore, in 1840. Rabindranath Tagore spent considerable time at the estate, where he composed many of his literary works.
New Indian Express
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Three Odias get Padma Shri awards from President
BHUBANESWAR: President Droupadi Murmu on Monday conferred the prestigious Padma Shri awards on three eminent Odias for the year 2025 at the Civil Investiture ceremony-I held at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi. They are sculptor Adwaita Charan Gadanayak, neurosurgeon Dr Ashok Kumar Mahapatra and artiste Durga Charan Ranbir. While Gadanayak and Ranbir were honoured for their contributions to the field of art, Dr Mahapatra received the award for his work in the field of medicine. Gadanayak, the vice-president of Indian Council for Cultural Relations, is known for his monumental sculptures 'Dandi March' at Rajghat, National Police Memorial and statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at the India Gate, New Delhi. Dr Mahapatra is an acclaimed neurosurgeon who in 2017, had led one of the most successful separation surgeries in the world at AIIMS, New Delhi, by separating Jaga and Balia, conjoined twins from Kandhamal district. Meanwhile, Odissi Guru Ranbir is credited for creating new training techniques in Odissi and counted among one of the most celebrated disciples of late Odissi Guru Deba Prasad Das. At the Civil Investiture ceremony-I, the awards were conferred in three categories - Padma Vibhushan for exceptional and distinguished service, Padma Bhushan for distinguished service of higher order, and Padma Shri for distinguished service. The President presented four Padma Vibhushan, 10 Padma Bhushan and 57 Padma Shri awards on the day. Odia writer Pratibha Satpathy will receive the Padma Shri at the Civil Investiture ceremony-II. A noted poet of Odia literature, Satpathy's poetry focuses on human relationship.
Time of India
27-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Cusat selected for ICCR QUAD STEM Fellowship programme
Kochi: Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) is one among the eight Indian institutions selected to host students under ICCR QUAD STEM Fellowship for 2025. The recognition comes from Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), under the ministry of external affairs, Govt of India. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Under the programme, students from 40 Indo-Pacific countries — including Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Ethiopia, Philippines, Fiji, Uganda, Mozambique and Malaysia — will pursue four-year undergraduate engineering (BTech) courses at selected institutions in India. Cusat joins a group of premier institutes including NIT Warangal, NIT Tiruchirappalli, Delhi Technological University and Anna University. "The fellowship aims to promote STEM education and strengthen educational diplomacy with the Indo-Pacific region," said a Cusat official. The university sees this development as a major step towards enhancing its international profile. "This is a milestone in Cusat's internationalisation efforts and will help in attracting more international students ," a senior university official said. In another development, department of computer science at Cusat signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Ekalavya AI, Ontario, Canada, to promote research collaboration and bridge academic skills with industry needs. The partnership covers areas such as student internships, faculty exchanges, collaborative research, consultancy, joint publications and technology transfer. Both institutions also plan to organize training programmes, conferences, seminars and workshops as part of the agreement.
