Coalescing world languages and cultures at 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'

New Delhi: "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" or "The World is one family" is the theme of the International Festival of Languages and Colours (IFLC), an integrated programme for the promotion and education of different cultures happening for the first time in India on Sunday.

"There is a lot that we as adults can learn from children, who possess the language of connection," IFLC 2016 spokesperson and Springdales School principal Ameeta Mulla Wattal said at the curtain-raiser of the event here on Wednesday.

"The more we work in a team, the more individuality we get," she added.

Wattal said "connectivity, diversity, empowerment and peace" would be the motto of the event, adding: "There is a complete 360 degree way of looking at culture...thus, students will be learning kinds of activities under the programme."

Towards this end, the participants will sing, dance and act to build universal harmony and brotherhood.

Forty-three students and 18 mentors from abroad and 350 students from Delhi schools, among the Springdales School, Frank Antony Public School, Ahlcon International School, Mata Guruji School, Tagore International School and Bluebells International School will participate in the event.

As for the participants from different countries, they were pretty gung-ho about the event and appreciated the exposure to Indian culture.

"This is for the first time I have come to India and I wish to come here again," Abdul Malik from Tanzania told IANS.

"I have made friends from Papua New Guinea and the Ukraine. It is just the beginning and I am trying to know more people," he said.

He also appreciated that the government (through the culture ministry) "is supporting the event".

Oumaima Rouis from Tunisia expressed her love for Hindi films and music and presented a few lines from the "Tum hi ho" Bollywood hit.

"Everyone appreciates that I have learnt Hindi songs," she laughed, adding: "So they request me again and again to sing these songs from me again and again."

"My experience here in India has been wonderful. It is a beautiful country," said Nushaba Karimova from Azerbaijan.

So, how did India come to be chosen to host the festival?

"India in itself is a very good example of different people living together peacefully,"

IFLC coordinator Bilal Acikgoz said.

"Understanding different languages and cultures helps us understand each other better.

"Indian culture is interestingly multi-lingual, multi-cultural and multi-ethnic. We plan to have the festival here every year," he added.

IFLC is said to be the largest organisation for promoting world languages and cultures. It is dedicated to cultivating and educating the youth and creating a platform for students to share their cultural heritage with their peers around the world.

FAQs

What : International Festival of Languages and Cultures
Venue : Talkatora Stadium, New Delhi
Timings: 7pm onwards