INDIAN CULTURAL CENTRE PARAMARIBO

2nd March, 2010       MANDUKYA UPANISHAD
Classes on Mandukya Upanishad were conducted at Veldhuizenlaan no 44. M?nd?kya Upanishad is the shortest of the Upanishads and is in prose, consisting of twelve verses expounding the mystic syllable Aum, the three psychological states of waking, dreaming and sleeping, and the transcendent fourth state of illumination. The concepts of Om and Hiranyagarbha, Jagrat, Swapna and Susupti Avastha were explained along with their relation to the body and nature. One who learns this can go for the Turiyatetta Awastha, which is highest in the meditation in yoga also. In continuation, the chanting of Om with relation to human body and Nature was also taught. The practical part of the above was also taught to the disciples.

4th  March, 2010            PRANAYAMA WORKSHOP FOR CHILDREN AT YOGA NIKETAN
The ICC Yoga Teacher conducted a workshop on Pranayama for children of the age of 8-15 years at Yoga Niketan on the techniques of yogic breathing, kapalbhati, Anuloma - Veloma, and Ujjai Pranayama. At same time, the Asanas done with the help of inhalation and exhalation were also explained. Second stage deep breathing and balancing poses were also taught.


5th March, 2010                   DANCE PRODUCTION BY MADHOERIE JAGMOHAN's GROUP
 
In collaboration with ICC, Dansschool Madhoerie Jagmohan organized a Dance Production "Project Mother Earth: A Question Needs To Be Answered" in celebration of the 5th anniversary of Dance school Modhoerie, Suriname on Friday, 5th March, 2010 at Theatre Thalia. Around five hundred persons including members of the Diplomatic corps and other distinguished guests were present.    It was a two and half hour programme, which was performed by the dance students of Suriname, in which a number of dances/ballet and other items were presented. The concert was recorded and telecasted on TV.



07.03.2010               MOVIE CLUB - BOLLYWOOD MOVIE "CHUPKE CHUPKE"
Under the Indian Movie Club, this month "CHUPKE CHUPKE" was screened at the local air-conditioned Theatre Paarl Movies, Suit, J.A. Pengelstraat, Paramaribo. Around 200 people watched the movie. The movie club has now become very popular among Surinamese people and is a source of family entertainment













11th MARCH, 2010      FINAL EXAMINATION FOR YOGA INSTRUCTOR
  The final Yoga Instructor course examination was held on 11th March 2010 at Yoga Hall, Indian Cultural Centre. The students satisfactorily performed the theory and practical parts and almost all the students did very well.  
The aim of this course is to prepare Yoga Instructors locally so as to popularize the Yogic Sciences for the benefit humanity. Some students, who had participated in the courses earlier, are successfully running their yoga centres and some of them are planning to start so after the completion of the course.

12th  & 13th  March, 2010      VISIT OF CHARKULA GROUP
       The ICCR-sponsored 10-members Folk Dance and Music "Charkula" group led by Shri Murari Lal Sharma visited Suriname during 12-13 March, 2010.  The group was sponsored on the occasion of Holi. The group had following activities during its stay in Suriname.   
1.         Interaction with Media: The group had an interaction with members of print and audio-visual media at the Press Conference organized by the ICC 12th March, 2010 at 12.00 noon. The Press Conference was attended among others by the Ambassador of India Shri KJS Sodhi, members of Cultural Union Suriname (CUS), Suriname International Ladies Association (SILA), Organization of Hindu Media, print media and electronic media. Mr. Asiskumar Gajadien, Chairman, Cultural Union Suriname (CUS) thanked the Embassy of India and ICCR for sponsoring the visit of this Group. After the conclusion of the question-answer session, the group regaled the members of media with few Bhojpuri songs. The Press Conference was followed by lunch. The visit was co-sponsoered by Cultural Union Suriname (CUS) & Suriname International Ladies Association (SILA). Following are some photographs:


2.            First performance of the group was at Kehri Hall, Saramacca, a neighbouring District about 40 kms from Paramaribo, on Friday, 12th March, 2010 from 2000 hrs to 2200 hrs. Mr. Jules R. Ayodhya, former Vice-President of Suriname and a Member of Parliament, Mr. Mahinder Jogi, Member of Parliament and District Commissioner of Saramaca, Ms. Mandranchal Ghisaidubey and member of Cultural Union Suriname (CUS) were the distinguished guests at the performance at Saramacca. There was a gathering of around 1500 people at the programme and the performance was very much appreciated by the gathering. After the folk dances, the group was requested to sing a number of popular songs at the request of the audience.



3.            Workshop at ICC: The group had a Workshop with ICC students at ICC on 13th March, 2010, from 1100 hrs to 1300 hrs, which was attended by around 100 ICC students.  During the Workshop, group performed few items and thereafter interacted with ICC students and a question / answer session was held. The duration of the Workshop was about 2 hrs.


4.        The main performance of the group was on 13th March, 2010 at Independence Square which is opposite the Presidential Square and is reserved for very prestigious programmes like National Day Parade etc. Madam Venetiaan, First Lady of Suriname, Mrs. Sardjoe Ramdien, wife of Vice-President of Suriname, H.E. Mr. Keremchand Raghoebarsingh, Minister of Agriculture, H.E. Mr. Maurits Hassankhan, Minister of Home Affairs, Ms. Quintusbosch (Nani), Member of Committee for Help Victims Haiti, Chairman, Cultural Union Suriname, Mr. Asiskumar Gajadien and H.E. Mr. KJS Sodhi, Ambassador of India were among the distinguished guests at the


performance. There was an audience of more than 1200 people at the venue and programme was enjoyed by everyone and very well received by the audience. The visit of the group was very successful.



17.03.2010                    FLAVOURS OF INDIA  -  " DIFFERENT KINDS OF RAITA "  
         An Indian Dish "different kinds of Raita" was prepared and demonstrated at the monthly cookery class organised at the Indian Cultural Centre. Around 40 ladies attended and followed the demonstration enthusiastically









20th March, 2010      CULTURAL MEET AT INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF SURINAME
To represent Indian Cultural 6 ICC students participated at the Cultural meet organized by the International Academy of Suriname. The performance of folk dance (Bhangda) by ICC students and the Indian food stall was very well appreciated by the people. Around 1000 guests were present on the above event. Following are some photographs:


20th March, 2010       WORLD STORY TELLING DAY
In cooperation with the Directorate of Culture, the Sranan Tori Academia and ICC organized for the first time in Suriname the World Story telling Day on Saturday, 20th March, 2010. On the occasion, a cultural programme was held, in which performances of vocal music, dance and tabla recitals were presented by the ICC students. Mr. Stanley Sidoel, Director, Department of Culture was the Chief Guest. Approximately One hundred persons attended the programme. The programme was well received by the audience.    


23rd March, 2010      CLASSICAL DANCES OF INDIA :A PRESENTATION
  With a view to popularize Indian classical dances in Suriname, a presentation consisting of classical dances of India was made by Kathak dance teacher, Mrs. Manjusha Sarvesh Joshi. The essentials of each classical dance form were shown: Kathak & Bharatanatyam were performed by ICC students with the help of students from Nrityanjali Dance Institute & Satrangi Dance School respectively.  At the end, ICC students emphasized the message that despite diversities there is unity in the forms.  20 Kathak students were also handed over certificates of qualifying.
  Around 100 people watched the show including the Minister of Agriculture, Husbandry & Fishery, H.E. Mr. Keremchand Raghoebarsingh. It was well appreciated as a well organized & knowledgeable presentation. Following are some photographs:


26th March, 2010      KISHORE KUMAR NITE
  Kishore Kumar Nite was celebrated at ICC, Paramaribo. A musical tribute was given by the students of Vocal Music of ICC which was highly appreciated by the Surinamese audience. The students gave performance with power point projection.


29th March, 2010      HINDI BOOK RELEASE - "EK BEG KE PHUL"

  First Hindi Book Release function organized by Sahitya Mitra Sanstha, Suriname in collaboration with the Indian Cultural Centre was held at the Centre's Yoga Hall. The chief guest of the function was Mr. Phagoe Autar, a famous Hindi writer of Suriname. On this occasion Shri Soerdjan Parohi, a famous Hindi poet, writer and member of Sahitya Mitra Sanstha, gave a brief description about the book and aims of Sahitya Mitra Sanstha. Mrs. Marlene Gangaram Panday, Master of Ceremonies presented the dutch translation. A short cultural programme consisting of songs and dances was presented by ICC students. Mr. Stanley Sidoel, Director, Ministry of Education & Community Development, Department of Culture, Mrs. Lila Gobardhan - Rambocus, Lecturer at the Anton de Kom University, Mr. Bholanath Narain, Secretary, Suriname Hindi Parishad were among many famous Hindi poets and writers of Suriname gracing the function.


RESULT ANALYSIS OF HINDI EXAMS HELD ON 31st JANUARY 2010.

  On the 27th February 2010, the result of Hindi Examinations from Prathma to Praveshika level was declared by Suriname Hindi Parishad, Paramaribo. The exams were held on 31st January 2010 by Suriname Hindi Parishad in which around 650 students of five districts of Suriname i.e. Commewijne, Wanica, Nickerie, Saramacca & Paramaribo appeared.

The result was quiet encouraging and 88% of the students who appeared at different levels passed the exam. All ICC Hindi students passed with excellent marks. In Prathma ICC student, Mrs. Asha Jagessar with 99% marks got 1st place, Shri Sundarpersad Jhagroe with 97% marks got 2nd place and Smt. Prathima Ajodhia with 92% marks in Uttama got 1st place & Smt. Shantidebi Anroedh with 90% marks got 3rd place in Praveshika level in Suriname.

A great achievement for ICC's Hindi department is Micheal Hough, a Creole student cleared 1st level exam in first division with 74.5% marks.