Inaugural function of Amrit Mahotsav Celebrations and Events on Indian History and Cultural Programme organised by EoI, Sofia (April 2021)
i) Inaugural function for launch of “India@75” celebrations was held at Chancery on 2nd April, 2021. Programme on the theme of India’s freedom struggle included a short cultural programme, recital of patriotic poems, patriotic songs by Embassy’s ladies. ii) The 90th anniversary of the culmination of Dandi March Satyagrah was celebrated with a floral Tribute at the statute of Mahatma Gandhi in South Park, Sofia by Ambassador Sanjay Rana and members of the Embassy. iii) 130th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, the architect of the Constitution of India was celebrated on 14 April 2021 with reading of the Preamble of the Indian Constitution at the Chancery on 14.04.2021 iv) In the framework of India@75, an event was held at the Chancery on 23 April 2021 with participation form the students and faculty of the Indology Department, Sofia University as well as other Bulgarian nationals on 23.04.2021.
Tagore Jayanti Celebrations; Health and Wellness Event and Social Media Campaigns organised during Amrit Mahotsav Celebrations by EoI, Sofia ( May 2021)
07.05.2021: As part of INDIA@75, Mission organized 160th Birth Anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore on 7 May 2021. This included a Keynote speech by Ambassador; screening of a short documentary on Rabindranath Tagore’s visit to Bulgaria; Rabindra Sangeet by Embassy ladies and members of Indian Diaspora; a speech on Rabindranath Tagore’s life by Prof. Gabriela Nik Elieva of New York University; a discourse speech by Mrs. Yordanka Boyanova, Chairperson of East-West Indological Foundation; and Rabindra Nritya (रबिंद्र नृत्यr) by Mrs. Katya Tosheva. The social media posts on the above may be seen at (i) https //twitter.com/IndiaInBulgaria/status/1390727095215697920(ii) https //www.facebook.com/IndiaInBulgaria/posts/4336413389710619 Photos have also been uploaded on Google Drive as mentioned in link. 11.05.2021: Ambassador chaired a meeting with stakeholders/ coordinators/ Gurus of Yoga Associations based in Bulgaria on 11 May 2021 to plan for the upcoming 7th International Day of Yoga in Bulgaria as well as North Macedonia during June 2021. 18.05.2021: Ambassador had a fruitful virtual meeting with Bulgarian students studying Indian language, art and culture at the East West Indological Foundation. 21.05.2021: On Anti Terrorism Day, all India based officials of the Mission took a pledge to oppose all forms of terrorism and violence and promote peace, social harmony and understanding among fellow beings. The social media posts on the above may be seen at (i) ttps //www.facebook.com/IndiaInBulgaria/posts/4379069282111696(ii) https //twitter.com/IndiaInBulgaria/status/1395661141213331457
Celebration of World Environment Day, International Day of Yoga celebrations and Interview by Ambassador organised during Amrit Mahotsav Celebrations by EoI, Sofia (June 4-5, 2021)
1.Webinar on the eve of World Environment Day as part of India@75 celebrations (Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav), Mission in association with the Sofia University organised a webinar on the theme of “Respect for Environment in Indian and Bulgarian Traditions & Cultures”. The event included a lecture by Prof. Dr. Milena Bratoeva, Vice-Dean, Sofia University on “The wisdom of the forest philosophy and environment in Vedic culture”, keynote address by Ambassador and a lecture by Associate Prof. Dr. Galina Ruseva–Socolova, Sofia University on “Spirituality, imagination and environmental concerns. 2. Tree Plantation event on World Environment Day, Mission organized a tree plantation and cleanliness drive on the World Environment Day at Lake Pancharevo, Sofia, in collaboration with Sofia Municipality and with participation of Indian Diaspora, ITEC alumni, friends of India and Embassy officials. The event included launch of the 7th International Day of Yoga by a public Yoga session conducted by Ms. Rozalina Zlatkova of Art of Living. 3.7th International Day of Yoga- The International Day of Yoga 2021 was celebrated with participation of several thousands of yoga enthusiasts participating in more than 50 events spread across 45 venues as a part of India@75. 4. A book ‘Yoga’ written by prominent Yoga Guru Mr. Ventsislav Evtimov was also launched. Other attractions at the event were stalls exhibiting books on Yoga, Ayurveda and Indian culture. Yoga events were held at major landmarks in the major cities, such as at iconic Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (19th June) and National Theatre Ivan Vazov (19 June) in Sofia and Assen Dynasty Monument in Veliko Turnovo city. 5.Yoga sessions were organised at central and popular public spaces in Sofia like the South Park (12 June), Yoga District Shazam (13 June), Borisova Gradina Park (19 June) where enthused passersby could join the events. 6. A special concert on International Day of Yoga 2021 held at Oborishte Art Gallery, Sofia by Chinmoy Naik Yoga Foundation. Apart from Sofia, celebrations took place in 44 other cities of Bulgaria and North Macedonia, namely, Pazardjik; Plovdiv; Asenovgrad; Smolian; Devin; Kiselchovo; Kardzhali; Svilengrad; Kazanlak; Sliven; Burgas; Sozopol; Chernomorets; Emona; Varna; Silistra; Russe; Kozlodui; Oryahovo; Zlatiya; Targovishte; Gabrovo; Gorna Oryahovitsa; Veliko Tarnovo; Tryavna; Troyan; Sevlievo; Lovech; Pleven; Levski; Pernik; Kyustendil; Dupnitsa; Samokov; Rudartsi; Bankya; Panagyurishte; Shumen; Stara Zagora; Vratza; Borilovo; Dupnize; Skopje (North Macedonia); Ohrid (North Macedonia). 7.Interactions with Indian Diaspora in North Macedonia as part of India@75 (Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav), Ambassador held virtual Open House interaction with the members of Indian community based in North Macedonia. They discussed impact of COVID on Indians in North Macedonia and other issues relevant to them. 8.Interview with Bulgaria ON AIR TV- Ambassador was interviewed for the popular ‘Bulgaria in the morning’ programme on Bulgaria ON AIR TV where he shared details about International Day of yoga as well as Bharat Ka Amrit Mahotsava. 9.Passport Seva Diwas- Mission made arrangements for live telecast of Passport Seva Diwas chaired by Hon’ble External Affairs Minister on Passport Seva Diwas.