IDY celebrations, Essay Writing and Poster making competitions organised during Amrit Mahotsav Celebrations by HCI, Maputo (June 19-20, 2021)
1. In commemoration of India@75, an Essay Writing Competition on “Yoga During COVID” was organised jointly by High Commission of India and the Indian Cultural Association. The winner of the Essay Writing Competition was awarded by High Commissioner on the occasion of celebration of the International Day of Yoga; 2. As part of India@75, an online Poster Making Competition on “Yoga for Health – Yoga at Home” was organised by Mission and Indian Cultural Association. The best poster was displayed at the International Day of Yoga event held on June 19, 2021. The winner of the Poster Making Competition was awarded by High Commissioner on Saturday, June 19, 2021 on the occasion of celebration of the International Day of Yoga; 3. In commemoration of India@75 Mission along with Indian Cultural Association & Indian Association of Mozambique celebrated International Day of Yoga in 11 cities and 15 venues including three venues in Maputo; The IDY event was held in which Secretary of State for Sports of the Government of the Republic of Mozambique was the Chief Guest. He addressed the 150 yoga participants present in the stadium.
BICYCLE RALLY – TOUR DE MOZAMBIQUE UNDER AKAM
In commemoration of India@75, a “Bicycle Rally – Tour de Mozambique” was organised by High Commission of India on Sunday, May 23, 2021. The Bicycle Rally was organised to express solidarity with Government and people of India dealing with surge in COVID-19 pandemic with the theme “Our Prayers for the Health and Wellness of All”. Approximately 70 participants from Indian diaspora and local based in Maputo enthusiastically participated in the Bicycle Rally. At the end of event, High Commissioner addressed the gathering and distributed Certificate of Participation to all the participants.
Ilumination of iconic building of CFM on Independence
High Commission of India in coordination with the Ports and Railway authorities of Mozambique (CFM) and support from the Municipal Corporation of Maputo, illuminated a section of the iconic building of the Central Railway Station of Maputo with the tri-colours of the Indian flag from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM on August 15, 2021. Members of the Indian diaspora in Mozambique as also our Mozambican friends in Maputo to the iconic building of the Central Railway Station in Maputo (CFM) between 6:30 PM and 8:30 PM on Sunday, August 15, 2021 to witnessed the unprecedented spectacle.
Hindi Diwas event
A function was organized by High Commission to commemorate Hindi Diwas on September 14, 2021 in the evening. The messages of Hon’ble External Affairs Minister & Hon’ble Minister of State (ML) on the occasion of Hindi Diwas were displayed through TV to the gathered audience. High Commissioner addressed the gathering and extorted gathering to promote of usage of Hindi language to youth so that they are remaining connected with their roots and India. About 50 members of the Indian diaspora settled in Maputo including Presidents of various Indian Associations and officials and family members of the Indian High Commission took part in Hindi Divas. Poetry Recitation Contest 2021 where contestants were asked to recite Hindi poem either written by themselves or by well known Hindi poets at a stage set for Hindi Divas celebrations. A large number of participants took part in the contest.
Navratri Festival
The High Commission of India, Maputo in association with Communidade Hindu de Maputo (CHM) with a sizeable number of Gujrati community celebrated Navratri Festival at the premises of Indian High Commission of India, Maputo on Sunday, October 10, 2021. A lighting of the lamp ceremony was organized. This was followed by Garba dance on the beats of Bollywood music. Young men and women enthusiastically participated in the dance. Men and women dressed in colourful attire performed Dandiya Raas with great fervour. In commemoration of India@75 Mission along with Indian Cultural Association & Indian Association of Mozambique celebrated International Day of Yoga in 11 cities and 15 venues including three venues in Maputo. At the end of IDY event on 19th June, 2021, the winners of the Essay Writing, & Poster Making were awarded with Certificates by High Commissioner. The second IDY event was held on June 20, 2021 in which Secretary of State for Sports of the Government of the Republic of Mozambique was the Chief Guest. He addressed the 150 yoga participants present in the stadium. Pedagogical University of Maputo, along with Indian High Commission, celebrated the 7th International Day of Yoga at the University campus on June 21, 2021 from 0930-1130 hours as the third event in Maputo city. Vice Chancellor of the University addressed the student yoga enthusiasts, that was followed by a yoga session.
National Tourism Day
High Commission of India in Mozambique celebrated the National Tourism Day on January 25, 2022 by organizing a Workshop at its Chancery premises where prominent local tour operators of Mozambique who are principally contributing for promotion of tourism to India were invited to set up stalls. Such local tour operators displayed publicity material, banners, roll ups etc., on several attractive tourist destinations in different States of India with the view to disseminate information to potential Mozambican tourists, besides offering special tourism packages to them. The local tour operators also responded to queries of the large number of visitors comprising of members of the Indian diaspora as also of the local Mozambicans to further generate and propagate their interest to travel to India. This Mission also promoted the Webinar on the theme “Rural and Community Centric Tourism” that was organized by the Ministry of Tourism of India amongst interested people in Mozambique, particularly the Indian diaspora. Mission publicized the National Tourism Day through its social media platforms, besides Retweeting the social media posts of Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Culture pertaining to the National Tourism Day. Besides, this Mission posts photographs and associated information pertaining to attractive tourist destinations in India through its social media handles on a regular basis for promoting tourism from Mozambique to India.
73rd Republic Day of India
High Commission of India in Maputo celebrated Republic Day 2022 as a historic event coinciding with the 75th year of India’s independence under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav at the Chancery premises on two days – on January 23, 2022 during which a cultural programme was staged as also on January 26, 2022 when the traditional unfurling of the National Flag was enacted as a formal function. On January 23, 2022, the two-hour long cultural programme that witnessed participation of several talented local artists of all age groups, comprised of patriotic songs, classical dance, patriotic poetry recitation as also representation of Bollywood through its music and dance. The event was attended by over 180 people, mainly from the Indian diaspora. On January 26, 2022, the event of the traditional unfurling of the National Flag of India was attended by 120 people comprising of both people of the Indian diaspora and Mozambican nationals. Receptions were organized for the guests on both January 23, 2022 as also on January 26, 2022. High Commission of India in Mozambique also encouraged and coordinated the organisation of the celebrations of the 73rd Republic Day of India by members of the Indian diaspora in the distant towns of Nampula and Nacala in the north and at the central Mozambican city of Beira. Such programmes saw overwhelming participation. All the above events were widely publicized through the social media handles of this Mission and received enthusiastic response from its followers not only from Mozambique and India, but also from those across the world. News articles on the above celebrations were carried in prominent local newspapers in Mozambique, like the largest selling Noticias.