Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) will establish ’Bangabandhu Chair’ at the University of Delhi to honor Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and marking the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s independence and Bangladesh-India diplomatic relations. Dinesh K. Patnaik, Director General, ICCR and Prof. P.C. Joshi, acting Vice Chancellor, University of Delhi will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on July 12 for setting up of the Chair for five academic years. This initiative is the outcome of one of the understandings reached during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to Bangladesh in March 2021. READ: Photo exhibition on life, legacy of Bangabandhu inaugurated in Seoul  The Bangabandhu Chair will focus on better understanding of developments in Bangladesh, one of India’s most important neighbours, positioned at the strategic intersection of India’s 'Neighborhood First' and 'Act East' policies, said the ICCR. It said this step will reinforce exchanges in the field of academics, art and culture between the two countries. As Bangladesh records consistent economic growth and has rapidly raised its socio-economic standards, there could not be a more appropriate time for Indian academia and contributors to policy making to pay more attention to Bangladesh Studies in an institutional manner, ICCR said adding that this Chair is an important step in this direction. The Chair will be occupied by a foreign visiting Professor or subject expert on Bangladesh preferably a person of Bangladeshi origin. The Chair will also focus on the Indo-Bangladesh common cultural heritage and subjects like Anthropology, Buddhist Studies, Geography, History, Modern Indian Languages (including Bangla), Music and Fine Arts, Political Science, International Relations and Sociology. READ: Bangabandhu's birth centenary: Philippines unveils commemorative cover, stamp It will teach as per the academic requirements of the University and will also help in guiding and mentoring of research students. It will also take part in other activities of the university relating to seminars, conferences, faculty interaction etc. and public lectures. The ICCR has set up various Chairs on Indian studies abroad and this is the first of its kind initiative of setting-up a Chair on Bangladesh in India and is an important step towards strengthening Indo-Bangladesh ties. READ: Rahimafrooz Renewable Energy wins Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Industrial Award The high priority that the ICCR has always attached to enhancing cultural and educational connectivity is an extension of India's outreach to the world. ICCR is particularly proud to have Delhi University as its partner in this pioneering exercise, in recognition of the university’s long-standing reputation for excellence.

Keeping pace with changing technology in both access as well as teaching methods, Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) has tied up with Gamapp Sportswizz Tech. Pvt. Ltd. to launch "Little Guru," a specialized app for learning Sanskrit.  In Bangladesh, Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre, High Commission of India, Dhaka will launch the same on Monday (Apri 12, 2021) in the Facebook handle of IGCC- www.facebook.com/IndiraGandhiCulturalCentre/ Little Guru will be a gamified app based on an interactive platform which will make Sanskrit learning easy, entertaining and fun, said the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.   ICCR is launching a campaign to promote Sanskrit language among students, religious scholars, Indologists, historians across the world.   As a part of its mandate to promote the vibrant cultural heritage of India, ICCR promotes Sanskrit through providing books and material to Sanskrit institutes all over the world.   ICCR deputes teachers and professors to universities and institutes teaching Sanskrit. This app will help people who are already learning Sanskrit or those who are desirous to learn Sanskrit to do so in an easy manner based on games, competition, rewards, peer to peer interactions, etc.   This unique App combines education with entertainment thereby helping keep attention of the learner as well as encourage him/her to advance further. ICCR is confident that the launch of this App 'Little Guru' will go a long way in popularizing Sanskrit.  Sanskrit continues to be a living language, being used by scholars accessing literary texts.   This App would help create awareness not only about language but also open the doors for people to access the rich cultural heritage of India.

Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) have organised a dance performance marking the Mujib Borsho and celebration of 50 years of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and India. Bangladesh High Commission and ICCR jointly organised the cultural programme at the Sushma Swaraj Bhavan auditorium on Saturday evening. High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India Muhammad Imran and Director General of ICCR Dinesh K Patnaik spoke on a pleasant cultural evening. The High Commissioner said that in the last 50 years, Bangladesh-India relations have always shown utmost sincerity of the question of friendship. Also read: Bangladesh reached unique height in last 50 years: Indian Minister "Our two countries have historical and cultural ties. The people of Bangladesh are forever indebted to the government of India as well as of the people of the country for their role in the great freedom fight," he said. The envoy said on the golden jubilee of independence, Bangladesh has been graduated  to the list of developing countries under the visionary leadership of our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Now a days the development of Bangladesh is appreciated all over the world, he said. He said the per capita income and purchasing power of the people of Bangladesh has increased a lot. Many Bangladeshis come to visit India, they shop here and many students come to study. ICCR Director General Dinesh K Patnaik said that at 50 years of Independence of Bangladesh, India is remembering the great architect of Bangladesh's Independence Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with deep gratitude. He also lauded the sincere roll of the people of two countries in strengthening the India-Bangladesh Friendship. The cultural ties between the two countries are also part of our heritage. Also read: Bangladeshi boy wins global art contest by ICCR He said in the last 50 years, it has been proved that the friendship between the two countries will continue to grow stronger. The cultural programme was on the theme of the great independence of Bangladesh, the culture and the beautiful nature of Bangladesh and heroic struggle of father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by Shristi Cultural organization. Also read: India will always stand by Bangladesh: Modi

Anzar Mustaeen Ali, a six-year-old from Bangladesh, has won a special prize of $1,000 for his beautiful artwork.