Press Release: Celebration of 75th Anniversary of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)
The High Commission of India and the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC) in Suva organized the celebrations of the 75th Anniversary of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) on 12 April, 2025 at the Novotel Convention Hall, Lami. Hon. Biman Prasad, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics, Government of Fiji graced the event as Chief Guest. Senior dignitaries present on the occasion included Ms. Reshmi Kumari, Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar Industry, Mr. William Toganivalu, Roving Ambassador to the Pacific, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ms. Bidisha Pillai, Director & Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Pacific Island Countries. More than 100 guests participated at the event, including senior Government officials, members of Diplomatic Corps, Heads of Public Sector Undertakings, Cultural Organizations, Alumni of ICCR, ITEC and Know India Programmes.
As a background, ICCR was founded on 9th April 1950 by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the first Education Minister of India with the objective of fostering and strengthening cultural relations and mutual understanding between India and the world, and to promote cultural exchanges with other countries and with their people. ICCR through its Indian Cultural Centres, conducts a wide range of cultural, academic and intellectual activities in the field of Indian culture, including Indian dance, music, yoga, languages, cuisines, films, festivals etc. Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC) at High Commission of India, Suva, Fiji, is one of the first Centres established by ICCR in 1972.
H.E. Mr. Suneet Mehta, High Commissioner of India to Fiji gave the Welcome remarks and highlighted the role of ICCR in promotion of cultural ties and exchanges and praised the role of SVCC, Suva in strengthening the cultural links between India and Fiji. He also underlined the key role played by the ICCR in the area of capacity building in Fiji through ICCR Scholarships and urged Fijian students to make full use of the opportunity provided by ICCR to gain world-class education in India under fully-funded scholarships.
Excerpts of speech delivered by Dr. S. Jaishankar, Hon. External Affairs Minister of India, on the occasion of ICCR Foundation Day on 9 April 2025 was also screened, wherein he praised ICCR’s role in advancing cultural diplomacy and global ties during last 75 years of ICCR’s journey.
In his Special remarks, Hon. Biman Prasad, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics, Government of Fiji acknowledged the contributions of ICCR across the world in showcasing cultural diversity and strengthening cultural relations. He also highlighted the role of the SVCC in Fiji and thanked for strengthening cultural links between India and Fiji, noting the impact of ICCR’s scholarship programmes that have benefited many Fijians. He added that the relationship between India and Fiji has evolved over time, extending beyond historical legacy of Girmitiyas to include economic cooperation, health and educational partnerships, people-to-people ties and mentioned that as India continues to rise on the global stage, Fiji looks forward to deepening its development and cultural partnership with India.
During the event, Hon. Biman Prasad, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics, and High Commissioner of India launched a Book titled "Fiji Hindi Sahityakaar Subramani ka Hindi Upanyaas", written by Dr. Subashni Lata, who is presently Assistant Professor, Department of Language and Literature at Fiji National University. She is also an ICCR Alumni, who pursued her MA and Ph.D. in Hindi language under ICCR Scholarship Scheme. She is the author of many books, stories, poems, articles etc. She is also associated with Fiji Hindi Parishad (Western Branch) at Lautoka and is promoting learning of Hindi in Fiji.
Two ICCR Alumni Mr. Mohammed Abdullah Shorab and Ms. Nanise Rokobani shared their experiences about studying in India under ICCR Scholarship programme. The cultural artists presented delightful performances on this occasion.
12 April, 2025
