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Example of ‘craft diplomacy’: Indonesian envoy opens Delhi’s crafts bazaar

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New Delhi, Jan 3 (IANS) The ongoing 15-day Dastkari Haat Crafts Bazaar, inaugurated on Thursday by Indonesian Ambassador Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro at Dilli Haat here, is hosting skill exchange workshops between Indian and Indonesian artists, something organiser and politician-activist Jaya Jaitly said is an example of “craft diplomacy”.

The former Samata Party president and founder of non-profit Dastkari Haat Samiti, Jaitly said “everything is not about trade or strategy, or security and economy” and the best of diplomacy was craft diplomacy which brings art, culture, heritage and people together.

“Dastkari Haat Samiti is very happy to have Indonesian craftspeople here. Every year, from 2004, we have had craftspeople from one or the other country come. This is the first time Indonesia has come. We believe that is the best of diplomacy, craft diplomacy, which brings art, culture, heritage and people, all together. This helps people with their true heritage stories to come together,” the 76-year-old Jaitly told IANS.

The fortnight-long crafts bazaar, along with bringing artisans and craftspeople from different Indian states, is also hosting two-week skill exchange workshops in the fields of three crafts — Doyo fibre craft, pottery, tie and dye and Batik work. They are supported by the Ministry of Textiles.

The workshops, interestingly, pair Indonesian artists deft in these crafts, with their Indian counterparts in the same craft to “co-create and collaborate for long-standing friendships and new products that weave Indian-Indonesian histories and cultures together”, Mayur Singh of Cooperative of Independent Traders of Asia (Coopita) told IANS.

“India and Indonesia, culturally, have more in common than we can think. It’s showcased in the crafts we have. We are trying to show that through the workshops in three crafts together with their Indian counterparts,” he said, adding that a poetry recital, scheduled towards the event’s closing, by an Indonesian artiste will be on Mahabharata’s Arjuna.

Another cultural performance interspersed with many Indian presentations, “Margapati” is a classic Balinese dance which tells one about a king of the jungle looking for his prey. This dance is mostly performed in festivals and as the offering dance to the gods in the temple, organisers said.

The event will also feature workshops and performances by flute makers from Varanasi, Sufi folk singers from Gujarat — who will sing the poetry of Kabir, Mirabai, and Ravidas — and tribal martial Chhau dancers from Bengal.

The 33rd edition of the crafts bazaar is featuring art, craft and textile works from over 180 artisans. Its entry fee is Rs 20. It will run from January 1-15 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma

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World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.

Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.

During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.

On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”

Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.

It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.

Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.

Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”

On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”

The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.

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