Tag: Cultural Diplomacy

International

Goa’s Heritage Shines in Leicester as Historic Tiatr “Devachen Naun Jietam Hanv” Packs Braunstone Civic Hall

Tanisha Cardozo

A landmark cultural moment unfolded on 19 October 2025, when the historic Goan tiatr “Devachen Naun Jietam Hanv”, directed by acclaimed Goan theatre stalwart Mariano Fernandes, was staged at the Braunstone Civic Hall, Leicester, to a packed audience. The event marked one of the largest showcases of Goan performing arts in the United Kingdom in recent years.

The tiatr featured an ensemble of 22 Goan artists flown in from Goa, led by legendary performers Prince Jacob and Varsha Usgaokar. Their moving performances, infused with humor, emotion, and melody, earned standing ovations from the audience, many of whom represented generations of the Goan diaspora living in the UK.

This initiative received strong local support from Espirito Roy Sequeira and Steven Gonsalves, passionate promoters of Konkani theatre in Leicester. Through their dedication, audiences abroad were able to experience the richness of Goan tiatr in its authentic form — complete with live music, kantaram (songs), and social storytelling.

The event became more than just a stage performance; it was a heartfelt celebration of identity, language, and cultural pride. The audience echoed the phrase “Konkani ulloi, Leicester fuloi” (When Konkani flourishes, Leicester blossoms), a fitting tribute to the enduring connection between Goa and its global community.

Festacar Marius Fernandes, who spent many years in Leicester before returning to Goa, described the moment as deeply moving. “It was emotional to hear our mother tongue Konkani fill the hall in this city that has become a second home to so many Goans,” he said. “This tiatr is more than a performance—it’s a living bridge of memory, identity, and belonging. When we keep Konkani alive, we keep our heritage alive.”

The success of “Devachen Naun Jietam Hanv” highlights the growing effort to preserve and promote Konkani theatre traditions beyond Goa, strengthening cultural ties through the universal language of art. As lights dimmed on the final act, one truth resonated deeply — the Goan spirit continues to shine brightly, no matter where in the world it finds a stage.

Business

Mrs Sangita Jindal Conferred France’s Prestigious Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters

Tanisha Cardozo

In a moment of pride for India’s arts and heritage community, Mrs Sangita Jindal, Chairperson of the JSW Foundation, has been awarded the prestigious Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) by the French government. The honour was presented by the Ambassador of France to India, H.E. Mr Thierry Mathou, at a private ceremony at Mrs Jindal’s residence in Mumbai on September 25, 2025.

This recognition acknowledges Mrs Jindal’s exceptional contribution to the preservation and promotion of art, culture, and heritage in India, as well as her dedication to building meaningful Indo-French cultural collaborations. As the head of the JSW Foundation, she has integrated cultural engagement into the very fabric of the Foundation’s mission, transforming heritage conservation and the cultural landscape of India with deep vision and commitment.

Mrs Jindal has notably fostered artistic exchanges between India and France through initiatives like the artist residencies at Hampi Art Labs. In 2024, she collaborated with France during the Paris Olympic Games to highlight the intersection of art and sport, and later this year, she will participate in the exhibition “Textile Matters” at the Mobilier National in Paris.

Presenting the honour, Ambassador Thierry Mathou said, “Through her passion, vision and generosity, Mrs Jindal has profoundly enriched the cultural landscape of India and brought our two countries closer together. This decoration reflects France’s deep gratitude and admiration for her achievements and her commitment to building cultural bridges.”

Mrs Jindal accepted the award with humility, stating, “I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition from France. It reaffirms my commitment to safeguarding India’s heritage while fostering meaningful cultural bridges between our two nations. Heritage is a living resource that connects generations, and I remain dedicated to ensuring it continues to inspire the future.”

Beyond this accolade, Mrs Jindal’s work speaks for itself. Her leadership has guided the restoration of iconic sites like the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hampi, the Keneseth Eliyahoo synagogue, and the Sassoon Library in Mumbai. She has been instrumental in launching cultural platforms such as Art India magazine and the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, and in creating spaces for dialogue through exhibitions like “Woven Narratives” during India’s G20 Presidency. She is also supporting the establishment of a museum in Assam dedicated to regional crafts.

The Ordre des Arts et des Lettres is one of the highest French honours in the realm of arts and literature, awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the arts, or to the promotion of culture in France and around the world. Previous Indian recipients of this honour include Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, and Bharti Kher.

With this recognition, Mrs Sangita Jindal joins an illustrious list of global cultural leaders. Her vision continues to inspire a new generation of changemakers who see culture not as legacy alone, but as a living force that shapes the future.

International

Russia Expands Hindi Programs at Universities Amid Growing Student Interest and Strengthening India Ties

Tanisha Cardozo

Russia is taking significant steps to deepen its educational and cultural engagement with India by expanding Hindi language programs across universities nationwide. According to Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education Konstantin Mogilevsky, there has been a sharp rise in the number of Russian students enrolling in Hindi courses — a trend that mirrors India’s growing global influence and population dynamics.

“We want more of our students to study Hindi,” Mogilevsky stated in an interview with TASS. He noted that India, now the world’s most populous country, has a majority of its citizens using Hindi in daily life, often more so than English. “We need to respond to this,” he added.

This strategic educational expansion reflects more than academic interest. It aligns closely with the evolving geopolitical and diplomatic relations between India and Russia. Since 2022, India has significantly increased its imports of Russian oil, maintaining close bilateral ties despite global tensions over the Ukraine conflict. Leaders from both countries continue to emphasize collaboration, especially under multilateral platforms like the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

Universities such as MGIMO (Moscow State Institute of International Relations), the Institute of Asian and African Studies at Moscow State University, the Russian State University for the Humanities (RSUH), and the Moscow State Linguistic University have seen their Hindi language departments grow substantially, with two to three times more students enrolled in recent years. These trends extend beyond Moscow, reaching institutions in cities like St. Petersburg and Kazan.

Mogilevsky emphasized that young Russians who aspire to engage with India’s culture, politics, and growing economy are increasingly viewing Hindi as a valuable asset. The initiative also signals an effort to foster mutual understanding and closer people-to-people ties through cultural diplomacy.

This emphasis on language as a bridge between nations reflects a broader commitment to long-term cooperation. President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to visit India in December 2025, further reinforcing bilateral warmth. At the recent SCO summit in Tianjin, Chinese and Russian leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Putin, reaffirmed their dedication to regional peace and prosperity — with language and cultural exchange forming a key part of that vision.

The expansion of Hindi education across Russian universities is a step toward building a generation fluent not only in language but also in cross-cultural understanding. It represents a powerful form of diplomacy — one that educates, connects, and endures beyond headlines.