Thaindian News

New Delhi, Sep 21 (IANS) The Indian embassy in Thimphu Tuesday inaugurated its cultural wing, the Nehru-Wangchuck Cultural Centre, in collaboration with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).
The cultural cell was jointly inaugurated by ICCR president Karan Singh and Lyonpo Minjur Dorji, Bhutan’s minister for home and cultural affairs, an ICCR statement said here.

Karan Singh said the launch of the Nehru-Wangchuck Cultural Centre was another landmark event in the journey of the “exceptionally close and cordial bilateral relations between the two countries”.

It will further expand and add a new dimension to India-Bhutan relations, he said.

The Centre will carry out regular cultural and artistic programmes, and provide a platform for both Bhutanese and Indian artists to interact and showcase their talent. It will also hold regular yoga and music classes, the statement said.

The ICCR president highlighted the “close cultural, geographical, historical, political and economic ties between Indian and Bhutan” that have always been a source of strength to both countries.

Praising the achievements of Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the fourth king of Bhutan who brought democracy to the country by adopting a new constitution, Karan Singh said: “This was a unique instance of the monarchy spearheading the transition to democracy.”

He also praised the present king Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck for steering the state so ably. Karan Singh had met the king earlier in the day.

The inauguration was followed by a cultural programme that featured a Kathak recital by noted danseuse Sharmishtha Mukherjee. A photographic exhibition, ‘Buddhism in India’, by photographer Sondeep Shankar was inaugurated by Karan Singh and Lyonpo Minjur Dorji.

The ICCR president, who will be in Bhutan till Sep 24, will meet the fourth king and deliver a lecture on ‘Interfaith Harmony’ as well.