The Embassy of India in Hanoi held ‘India Day - a Festival of Unity in Diversity’ on March 18.
An activity at the event
The event aimed to strengthen cultural relationship between the Vietnamese and Indian peoples.
The event was part of the activities to celebrate the 75th anniversary of India’s independence, known as “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav,” 50 years of India-Vietnam diplomatic relations, India’s Presidency of G-20 and the International Year of Millets.
The art program featured different classical, folk, and popular dance forms of India, and yoga demonstrations by experienced practitioners. In addition, Indian garments, art and craft, henna, mehndi, and many other products were displayed, attracting a large number of both Indian and Vietnamese people.
Notably, the festival introduced different kinds of food items made from millets that are climate-resilient and nutritious. ‘Millets’ were among the first crops to be cultivated in India, with evidence of its consumption during the Indus valley civilization 4000 years ago. 2023 is the International Year of Millets, as declared by the United Nations General Assembly.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Sadeep Arya said that the event, with numerous activities and active participation of the Indian community and Vietnamese friends, contributed to bringing Indian culture closer to Vietnamese people as well as international friends, thus promoting people-to-people exchange and the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.
The diplomat hoped that Vietnamese people, especially those participating in the event, will have more experience and deeper understanding about the diversity of Indian culture in unity.
According to President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, the imprints and cultural values of India preserved in Vietnam are an important bridge to tighten the understanding between the two peoples and the festival would contribute to deepening the traditional friendship between Vietnam and India, personally created and cultivated by the two late leaders, Ho Chi Minh and Jawaharlal Nehru.
Source: nhandan (translated by Song Anh)
VNQD