我孫子市国際交流協会

Date: Friday, June 2 1:30 pm -3: 30pm
Place: Abista Hall
Lecturer: Mr. Arvinder Singh Dancer: Ms.Takako Kodama
Organizer: Abiko Gakko Council and AIRA
Audience: 130 people

The event was realized by Mr. Sugawara's cooperation for inviting a young Indian coordinator, Mr.Arvinder Singh as a lecturer.
Mr.Sugawara is well versed in Indian history and culture, and also he has visited India many times.

A)　Lecture on Current India by Mr. Arvinder Singh
Mr. Singh lives in New Delhi and 29-year-old. He majored in economics at university and learned Japanese language in his school days.
He lectured in a fluent Japanese, giving a great surprise to the audience.
He gave a general introduction on India-Today as follows:
Population: About 1 billion
States: Consists of 28 states
Languages: 22 (same description is printed in15 designated languages on the reverse side of Indian bank notes)
Religions: 75% Hindu, 18% Islam, few percents of Sikh, Buddhist, etc.
National clothes: Sari for women (cloth for a Sari is 6 meters long). Turban for men (a turban is 7meters long)
The men who wrap turbans around their heads are named "Mr.Singh", meaning "the lion" in Hindu.
Caste : The social hierarchy based on Caste system is not working practically now with a few exceptions in specific occasions. A favorable consideration is given for those belonging to lower classes when receiving higher education or applying jobs at government offices. However, Caste system is outdated now and the people have been more westernized.
Economy: 65% of software business of USA is dealt with in India.
The industry of medicine, bank and financial business, construction and telecommunication are astonishingly developing. Call center is a star business for women.
The high capability in English makes Indian people very successful in the various fields of business all over the world.
Life: 120 TV channels are available to watch. Information industry has been highly advanced.
Food: 65% of Indian people are vegetarians. It is believed vegetables have good effect for blood circulation and digestion.
Beef are prohibited to eat because of religious believes, while chicken and goat meats are popular for protein.
Various kinds of spices used for cooking in big quantity help Indian people being healthy, especially good for eyes and beauty treatment. No doubt, they have dark and abundant hair and good eyesight.
Lady-first manner and respect for parents and elder people are commonly observed in India.
The sports: Field hockey, cricket and kabaddi are nationwide popular sports.

B)　Indian Dance Performance
Ms.Takako Kodama started learning Yoga at the age of 16 and has been an instructress of Yoga since her 26 years of age. She also plays Indian classical dances. On the stage, she danced in the traditional and ethnic Indian costume. To the exotic music, she expressed various feelings by moving her neck, fingers, wrists and ankles intricately but softly.
Mr. Singh commented that it was a surprise that a Japanese woman could perform such an extraordinarily splendid Indian dancing. He underlined that he was moved very much. 　

Video showing on Indian landscapes, Indian tea serving, and some Q and As fascinated the audience. They were really enchanted with the two-hour-show, "The Breeze of India".

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