Cultural exchange goes down well in Tokyo: 06-10-2008
Travellers in the Japanese capital were recently treated to a fusion of cultures from both Japan and India when Tokyo hosted the two-day Namaste India 2008 festival.
Over 100,000 visitors attended the event, which allows a cultural exchange between Japanese and Indian residents.
Visitors were treated to a plethora of cultural performances from both nations including Bollywood dance displays and magicians.
There is a growing history of cultural exchange between the nations, thanks in part to the India Centre Foundation (ICF).
"The India Centre Foundation, founded in 1996 as a non-profit organisation, has been a catalyst in strengthening India-Japanese relation by building bridges at a socio-economic level," explained ICF chairman Vibhav Kant Upadhyay.
"We initially screened movies like 'Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge', 'Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman' and other Shah Rukh Khan starrers to acquaint the people of Japan to the cultural diversity, ethos and colours of India.
"After it grabbed eyeballs, we started promoting Indian culture seriously."
One excited Indian participant was lavish in his praise for the people of Japan, according to DailyIndia.com.
"This is a very good experience, Japanese people are the best. I am telling you from the core of my heart that Japanese are the best people in the world," he told the news provider.