GLOBAL OUTLOOK -- 2::
GLOBAL TEA OFFICIALS PRESENT A “BIRD’S EYE VIEW”
BY P S SUNDAR
The 143rd programme of Nilgiris Cultural Association (NCA)
held at Velan Hotel in Coonoor on October 4, 2015, provided a guided tour into the
cultural highlight of Bangladesh, Indonesia, Kenya, Myanmar and Nepal.
The presentation is by officers of Tea Boards and Tea Research Institutes
as also tea planters and manufacturers from these countries who are undergoing
training on tea plantation management and tea tasting and quality assurance
sponsored by Government of India at Kothari Agricultural Management Centre
(KAMC), Coonoor.
“NCA has been staging such programmes with foreign delegates to provide
cross-ventilation of culture. In keeping
with NCA’s practice, all such programmes are open to public free-of-cost”, I,
as NCA President, said.
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| DR AVK IYENGAR |
“NCA is doing yeomen service to KAMC in helping participants from one
country to respect the culture of another as also to understand the rich
cultural diversity of India”, said KAMC Director Dr AVK Iyengar, who was the
Chief Guest.
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| D ANTONY GERALD |
The programme began with each country delegates lighting the traditional
Kuthuvilakku (lamp). A visitor from
Japan Akiko also lit the lamp! Ramesh Bhojarajan (President, The Nilgiri Bought
Leaf Tea Manufactures’ Association), D Antony Gerald (Human Resources Manager,
Taj group of hotels in the Nilgiris) and Mrs Iyengar (wife of KAMC Director)
also lit the lamp.
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| P S SUNDAR INTRODUCING SEEMA RAMAMURTHI |
Seema Ramamurthi hailing from tea small grower family in Denali village, who
is now doing post graduation in Medical psychiatry, co-ordinated the lighting ceremony.
Her father Ramamurthy and mother
Rajeshwari are using their income from, inter alia, tea garden to run a
Home for the deserted aged in their village.
At the programme titled, “Bird’s Eye View”, the delegates showed their
traditional dress, currency, food and national flag. Besides singing their national anthem and
folk numbers, they staged their folk dance.
They gave audio-visual presentation on tourism places, economy,
agriculture, places of worship and lifestyle.
The highlight in Bangladesh presentation included Vapa Pitha which is comparable
to South Indian Idli !!
Indonesians highlighted tourism beyond Bali.
Kenyan presented surprised the audience with Kenya tribal population
singing Indian National Anthem.
Myanmar presentation traced the popular Burmese link with India.
Nepal presentation highlighted the impact of Earthquake 2015 and
applauded Indian Prime Minister’s Modi’s instantaneous response.
Two Students of Mudra School of Dance, Coonoor, -- A Kanishka and R
Harshitha -- presented Bharathanatyam with their Guru Bhavani Vishwanath on
Nattuvangam to give a sample of Indian culture to the foreigners.
The Indian National Anthem was sung with the Indian national Flag.
The full-house audience gave prolonged applause to the entire presentation
and there was a long session of photographing by the various members.
The delegates said that they enjoyed presenting this programme and benefited
a lot from interacting with others which gave them new friends and new areas
for deliberations on tea management.
“This is among the most fruitful presentations enriching the tea world
with fraternity, knowledge and respect for each other”, added Ramesh
Bhojarajan.
“This is a cultural extravaganza of NCA.
We thoroughly enjoyed. It is more
than tea.. well presented by the members highlighting the culture of their
respective countries”, noted Antony Gerald.
(response can also be sent to: pssundar.coonoor@gmail.com).
(response can also be sent to: pssundar.coonoor@gmail.com)
