The Indian community festival “Passage to India 2022” by the Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) got underway on Thursday at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) Park, highlighting the rich, vibrant and dynamic culture of the country.
Ambassador Dr Mittal speaking at the opening.
Concluding on Saturday, the event is organised with support from Qatar’s Ministry of Culture, the Indian embassy in Doha, and the MIA.
The festival marks the celebrations of the 75th anniversary of Indian Independence, the culmination of Qatar-India Year of Culture, and Qatar-Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA) Year of Culture.
Indian Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan addressed the gathering virtually and wished the Indian community in Qatar success while lauding their contributions.
Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla opened the festival.
Indian ambassador Dr Deepak Mittal and ICC president P N Baburajan addressed the gathering.
Dignitaries at the opening ceremony yesterday. PICTURES: Thajudheen
The dignitaries at the opening included Qatar Ministry of Interior (MoI)’s Public Relations Department director Brigadier-General Abdulla Khalifa al-Muftah, National Human Rights Committee vice-chairman Dr Mohamed bin Saif al-Kuwari, Qatar Museums chief executive Ahmed Musa al-Namla, the MoI’s Community Policing Department director Colonel Dr Ibrahim Mohamed Rashid al-Semaih, and Awareness Section officers Lieutenant Khalid Hussain al-Shammari and Lieutenant Abdul Aziz al-Mohannadi.
Various community and cultural organisations under the ICC and students of Indian schools are presenting cultural performances at the venue.
A miniature replica of the famed Taj Mahal, a Unesco World Heritage Site, is among the attractions.
There are stalls offering a wide variety of cuisine from various parts of India.
The festival is open from 2pm-11pm on Friday and Saturday.
Free shuttle service is available from the Family Food Centre’s car park area at Matar Qadeem to the venue.
Admission to the event is free.
