Embassy of India,
Harare, Zimbabwe

Ambassador's Speech at National Art Gallery, Bulawayo during distribution of NAMA award on 09.04.2021

Mr. Nicholas Moyo, Director, National Arts Council of Zimbabwe,
Mr. Butholezwe Nyathi, Director, National Gallery of Zimbabwe,
Mr. Raj Modi, Hon’ble Dy Minister of Industry,
Distinguished Legends Awardees, Ladies and Gentlemen,

NAMASTE / GOOD AFTERNOON / MASUERASE

It is an honour and privilege to be present amongst such a distinguished gathering at the NAMA Awards presentation ceremony.  I am glad that the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe has the tradition of selecting and honouring outstanding artists across various fields such as music, dance, literature, visual arts, poetry, media, fashion, theatre etc, every year. 

I am happy that the Indian Council for Cultural Relations has sponsored some of the awards.  Indian Council for Cultural Relations is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of External Affairs of India.  Its mandate is to strengthen cultural relations between India and other countries as also to promote cultural exchange with other countries and people.   In Embassy of India, Harare, we have a Teacher of Indian Culture deputed by the ICCR.  Of course, promotion of Indian culture is also being done by Indian diaspora present in various countries, including in Zimbabwe.  

Dear Friends, India celebrates the 75th Year of its Independence in 2022.  Embassy of India in Harare is going to organize a series of cultural and other events to mark the occasion.  We have started the programmes in March 2021 with celebration of Holi, the festival of colours, and also by bringing out a supplement on India’s pharmaceutical sector, which was published in the prestigious newspaper, The Herald.  It is a matter of great honour to collaborate with NACZ during the year of our celebrations.

India and Zimbabwe has a history of cooperation from the time of liberation struggle.  The friendly relationship is strengthened by high-level and Ministerial visits, which take place at regular intervals.  The visit of Hon’ble Vice President Shri Venkaiah Naidu in November 2018 brought further dynamism into the relationship.   Six Memorandum of Understanding were signed between our two countries.  There pertained to (i) information and communication technology, (ii) geology, mining and mineral resources, (iii) broadcasting, (iv) traditional and complementary medicine (v) visas and most importantly, (vi) the arts, culture and heritage.   Government of India also extended lines of credit worth over US$ 400 million for various projects in the water and power sector.  There is a strong cooperation in other areas too.  For example, in the health sector,  India gifted medicines worth over US$ 1 million last year including for Covid.  Recently we have gifted Covid-19 vaccines as a gesture of friendship and solidarity in the fight against the pandemic.  We are expecting a delivery of a fleet of ambulances too in the near future.  

Friends, India is home to a number of art forms.  Some classical dance forms like Kuchipudi, Bharatnatyam, Mohiniattam, Kathakali etc have proponents all over the world.  One sees vibrancy of colours in Indian paintings.  The sculptures, temple art, architecture, folk dances, literature, and of course Bollywood are also well-known in almost every nook and corner of the world.

Distinguished friends, The rewards are a way to encourage talent and creativity.  These bring out new ideas and innovations.  The result is not just in the cultural field but the effects spill over to economic and commercial areas too.  

NAMA which stands for National Arts Merits Awards in Zimbabwe, has many meanings.  In Sanskrit, the word NAMA stands for name.  The NAMA awards are rightly for people who have made a name for themselves.

NAMA also means I bow down to you.  The word Namaste consists of NAMA and TE, i.e. I bow down to you.  The word NAMA is also the reverse of MANA.  MANA means the mind.  When the mind goes outside, it experiences the world.  NAMA means to bring the mind back to its source.  It is only when one is centered and the mind comes back to one’s self, that one is creative, innovative and peaceful. 

If you wish to learn Sanskrit, which is the mother of many Indian and other languages, ICCR has brought out an app called 'Little Guru'.  You can find more information on our Twitter and Facebook accounts of the Embassy of India in Harare. 

I take this opportunity to pay my special respects to all those who have made a name, NAMA, for themselves and who are creative and novel in their expressions.  My thoughts go to Mr. Rasheed Jogee, who has since left us but has now become a Living Legend because of his work.  I congratulate all the Legends for having achieved distinctions in your chosen fields. 

Thank you.