The British Council launched the “2017 UK-India Year of Culture” campaign here on Friday.
The aim of the campaign is to highlight the vibrant cultural history of the two countries and celebrate the best ‘cultural exports’ together and increase the appreciation of the contemporary UK in India.
An art play has been designed to build creative connections between the people and institutions of the UK and India in the event. It offers a chance to celebrate the achievements of the world’s largest democracy, India, and consider how the future relationship between the UK and India might help both address the challenges of the 21st century.
The British Council India director Alan Gemmell OBE said the event would be launched in November 2016. Both countries have years of shared history, and the programme seeks to promote this spirit of cultural partnership. “I am thrilled to be in east India and learn about the brilliant educational and cultural ties that exist between east India and the UK,” he said.
H e also emphasised the need to promote cultural exchanges and to create educational opportunities for stronger ties between India and the UK.
Other than this, focus would also be on skill development training programme, especially in manufacturing, construction, healthcare in Bhubaneswar, he added.
Notably, the UK-India Year of Culture was announced during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to london in November 2015.