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 On
the occasion of the 116th anniversary of Javaharlal Nehru's
birthday, the Indo
Hellenic Society for Culture and Development (ELINEPA) and the Indian
Embassy in Athens organised a joint event on Monday, 14 November 2005.
This event was a demonstration on the subject “ Javaharlal Nehru's
Role in
World Affairs” at the
Cultural Centre of
the Municipality of Athens (Hall Antonis
Tritsis, Akadimias street 50). The demonstration was addressed by the
Ambassador of
India to Greece, Dr. Bhaskar Balakrishnan,
who pointed out the substantial democratic and uncommitted mission of
the first prime minister of free India that continues to maintain its
importance even up to these days. A speech by the distinguished
journalist and author Marina Bichou followed regarding the life of
Nehru and the birth of Indian democracy accompanied by a slide show
from the museum of Nehru in New Delhi. Then the professor emeritus of
Human ecology of the University of Aegean, Dr.
Nikos Bernikos took the stage and analysed the politics of the
Non-Aligned
Movement,
indicating parallels to the current foreign policies of India.
Closing, Dr. Dimitris Vassiliades, Indologist and chairman
of the ELINEPA, mentioned Nehru’s promise to
build up a new democratic and socialist India as well as the reasons
that hindered the entire implementation of this vision. During the
programme songs from the liberating
movement of India could be heard.
 Contemporaneously,
the day of the children of India was celebrated, which has been placed
on the birthday of Nehru. Children of India and Greece recited
addresses and exchanged flowers and regards.
Distinguished politicians, academics, diplomats and friends of India
were present at the event, while European
and Indian newspapers and mass media widely reported on this unique
event. The Times of India labelled it with
the characteristic title “Greece remembers Nehru”.
he
successful organisation could be realised thanks to the coordination
that was carried out by the general secretary of ELINEPA, Mr. Antonios
Papadopoulos and the direct solidarity of the vice-mayor of Athens,
Mrs. Mpourdara, the kind sponsoring of Qatar
Airways and foremost to the direct interest shown by the new Ambassador
of India to Greece, Dr.
Bhaskar Balakrishna, who undertakes special
efforts for the promotion of a better
understanding of the Indian History and Culture in Greece.
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