A 21 member international delegation came for Madhya Pradesh tour arrived at Bhopal to participate in the Gen Next Democracy Network programme.

The delegation of Indian Council of Cultural Relations comprised of representatives from various countries including France, Fiji, Guatemala, Uruguay, Zambia and Honduras.

The state Tourism Board officials facilitated the visit of delgation to various places including Sanchi Stupa, Boat club and Tribal Museum.

The delegation was overwhelmed by experiencing the spirituality of Lord Buddha at Sanchi Stupa.

They learned about world-welfare, non-violence and peace of Lord Buddha’s teachings inscribed in the stupas.

The delegation is visiting India between July 18 to 27 in the Gen Next Network Programme.

After visiting Parliament, the Pradhan Mantri Sangrahalaya, Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Raj Ghat, the delegation visited the Sanchi Stupa, Museum, John Marshall House and Tribal Museum.

Apenisa Yabakitini Vatuniveivuke of Fiji liked the taste of delicious cuisine of the state.

Sushri Susan Tembo from Zambia liked the galleries of the Tribal Museum. Sushri Carmen Haydee López Flores from Honduras praised the grandeur of the Stupa at Sanchi.

The monsoon season and cruise ride left Shri Selva Manicandan Annamale of France mesmerized.

In the Tribal Museum, the delegation got acquainted with the tribal dance with the presentation of Gudumba Baja dance.

They also viewed the tribal way of life in the various art galleries of the museum.

The delegation appreciated the Sanchi Stupa and Tribal Museum.

They lauded the rich historical and cultural heritage of the state.

They also said they would go back to their country and motivate their people to visit Madhya Pradesh. 

The delegation was accompanied by departmental officers-employees including deputy directors of the state’s Tourist Board, Yuvraj Padole, Sushri Deepika Rai Choudhary.

The delegation included Ketan Kirit Lal, Sushri Aashna Shyal Pratap, Rinesh Rajesh Sharma from Fiji, Sushri Susan Tembo, Shri Anthony Zimba, Ms. Lucoba Mukonde from Zambia, Shri Juan Diego Arriola Gallina, Shri Diego Fernando Sagastume Berganza from Guatemala, Sushri Zulmit Solemit Rivera Zuniga, Sushri Carmen Haydee López Flores, from Honduras, Shri Federico Delgado Lujan, Sushri Matilde Antia Adami and Dr. Diego Sanjurjo Garcia from Uruguay and Shri Selva Manicandan Annamale from France.

ICCR’s Gen Next Democracy Network programme aims at defining India’s democratic governance structure at various levels.

This programme introduces the young leaders of democratic countries of the world to India’s culture, heritage and ‘Bharat ke Vichar’ through India tour.

It also gives the world an understanding of the success of India’s democratic journey.

ICCR is an autonomous organization of the Government of India, with its headquarter in New Delhi.

It was established in the year 1950 by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the first education minister of independent India. It conducts missions internationally with cultural centers established in various countries and enriches India’s global cultural ties through cultural exchanges.

The organization also administers the “Jawaharlal Nehru Award” for International Understanding instituted by the Government of India in the year 1965.