The Indian Embassy in Djibouti recently hosted a series of cultural events that highlighted the diversity of Indian culture. The events, which took place over several weeks, included a festival of Indian cuisine, a celebration of Hindi Diwas, and the 11th Ayurveda Day. These events brought together members of the Indian diaspora, Djiboutians, diplomatic representatives, and civil society actors to promote cultural exchange between India and Djibouti. The festival of Indian cuisine was a major highlight of the events.
The festival of Indian cuisine was held in three stages, starting with the Onam festival on August 25 at Bawadi Mall, in partnership with the World Malyali Federation. Over 100 members of the Indian diaspora and diplomatic representatives attended the event, which featured a traditional vegetarian meal served on banana leaves. The menu included over 30 specialties from southern India, such as avial, thoran, and payasam. The second stage of the festival was held on September 10 at India House, where over 200 people participated in the event.
The second stage of the festival showcased the diversity of Indian cuisine, with stands featuring biryani, samosas, chaat, tandoori, idli, dosa, vada pao, and other regional specialties. The event also featured music and karaoke performances. The festival concluded on September 17 at the French Institute of Djibouti, where over 200 people attended the event, which included music, dance, and food stalls. According to Indian Ambassador Keivom, cuisine is a cultural bridge between India and Djibouti, bringing communities together.
On September 18, the Indian Embassy celebrated Hindi Diwas, which marked the importance of the Hindi language. Over 80 guests, including Djiboutians, members of the diaspora, and former beneficiaries of ITEC and ICCR programs, attended the event. The celebration featured poems, stories, Bollywood songs, and a quiz competition. The event highlighted the interest of Djiboutians in Indian popular culture. Ambassador Keivom emphasized the role of language in exchanges between India and Djibouti.
The 11th Ayurveda Day was celebrated on September 23, with the theme "Ayurveda for a Healthier Tomorrow." Over 50 participants, including members of the diaspora, practitioners, and local wellness actors, attended the event. The celebration featured a presentation on Ayurvedic plants and products, as well as a talk by Gassira Mohamed, founder of Djibouti Wellness Initiative, who shared her experience with Ayurveda and its practices.
The series of cultural events organized by the Indian Embassy in Djibouti aimed to promote cultural exchange between India and Djibouti. The events showcased various aspects of Indian culture, including cuisine, language, and wellness practices. The embassy's efforts were appreciated by the participants, who saw the events as an opportunity to learn about Indian culture and strengthen ties between the two nations.
The cultural events also highlighted the importance of people-to-people diplomacy in strengthening relations between India and Djibouti. The events provided a platform for Indians and Djiboutians to interact and learn from each other. The Indian Embassy's initiatives are expected to further strengthen the cultural ties between the two nations.
Key points
- The Indian Embassy in Djibouti organized a series of cultural events to promote cultural exchange between India and Djibouti.
- The events included a festival of Indian cuisine, a celebration of Hindi Diwas, and the 11th Ayurveda Day.
- The cultural events showcased various aspects of Indian culture, including cuisine, language, and wellness practices.
