Tag: Indian Culture

Kazakh Nationals Manifest

Kazakh Nationals Manifest Their Love For Indian Culture

By LokMarg

Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Astana has been organizing various activities to strengthen ties between the two countries through Indian culture and Traditions.

Central Asia is a region rich in history with a blend of identities and ethnicities, diversity of scenery, and culture. Amidst the shimmering mountains, highlands, lakes, ancient cities, and taller buildings, one thing that stands out for Kazakhstan nationals is the love for Indian Culture and traditions.

Established in the year 1994, the major objective of the cultural center is to facilitate cultural activities and academic cooperation that strengthen India’s age-old collaboration between India and Kazakhstan. Through its activities, the center intends to enhance the people-to-people connection between the two countries. India also provides scholarships in various disciplines under the ICCR Scholarship programs for students from Kazakhstan.

“Around 200 Kazakhstan nationals come and do activities here. We want to connect with the people here in Kazakhstan and make them aware of Indian culture and Traditions”, said the Director of the cultural center in Astana, Sanjay Vedi.

Kazakhstan nationals attend regular classes in Indian dance and music and practice yoga which has been an integral part of ancient Indian cultural heritage.

“I love singing Hindi songs and am very fond of Indian culture and tradition. I would want to learn more Hindi”, said one Kazakhstan national who practices Hindi singing in the center.

“I have an admiration towards Indian instruments like tabla and I like dancing to Indian classical songs”, said another Kazakhstan national.

The relationship between India and Kazakhstan is ancient and historical going back more than 2000 years. There has been a constant and regular flow of trade in goods and more importantly, the exchange of ideas and cultural influences.

The flow of Buddhism from India to Central Asia and Sufi ideas from Central Asia to India are two such examples.

The size of the Indian community is about 5,300 in Kazakhstan. India was one of the first countries to recognize the independence of Kazakhstan with diplomatic relations established in February 1992. (ANI)

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Muslims Puja Pandal In kolkata

Muslims Organise Puja Pandal For Hindu Neighbours In Kolkata

By LokMarg

Showcasing brotherhood while also setting an example of humanity, people from the Muslim community organized the Durga Puja celebration in their locality in Kolkata.

A puja pandal has been installed in the minority-dominated area, Alimuddin Street, for the two Hindu families residing in the locality.

Speaking to ANI, Md. Tausif Rehman, social worker and organizer of Durga Puja in the locality, said that the idol of Goddess Durga has been installed and people from the Hindu community will perform a puja with proper rituals.

“Being a Muslim, we have certain limits, but it’s not that we cannot organize Puja. In this Pandal, we have brought Maa Durga. There will be rituals every day which will be followed and it will be done by the Hindu family for whom the puja is organized. “Why should our brothers and sisters go to the puja pandals far away to perform puja?” he said.

A local resident, Sayantan Sen, said that the gesture by the neighbors sets an example in society, which gives the message of humanity and brotherhood.

“We are very glad to see that this puja is being organized only for our Hindu family. “This is setting an example for humanity and mankind and teaches us that there should not be any difference as far as religions are concerned,” he said.

Another member of the family who is a part of those for whom the puja is being organized, Gudiya Kumari Devi, said, “It’s a great occasion for me as I myself got a chance to decorate Maa Durga and get things prepared.” I thank my Muslim brothers who made this possible.

The Hindu festival of Durga Puja, also known as Durgotsava or Sharodotsava, is a yearly celebration that honors the Hindu goddess Durga and commemorates her victory over Mahishasur.

Over the years, Durga Puja has become an inseparable part of Indian culture with innumerable people celebrating this festival in their own unique way while pertaining to tradition.

Hindu mythology holds that the goddess comes to her earthly abode at this time to bless her devotees. For the Bengali community, Durga Puja is the biggest festival. This year Maha Shashti falls on October 1 and Vijaya Dashami on October 5.

The significance of Durga Puja goes beyond religion and is revered as the celebration of compassion, brotherhood, humanity, art and culture. From the reverberation of ‘dhak’ and new clothes to delicious food, there remains a merry mood during these days. (ANI)

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