Photographic Exhibition of Buddhist Monuments and Art Heritage at Indian Cultural Centre
28th March, 2008

The Indian Culture Centre is holding a photographic exhibition of Buddhist Monuments and Art Heritage covering many major Buddhist sites all over India and other Asian countries. The photographs have been taken by the renowned photographer and art historian from India, Benoy K. Behl. The exhibition was inaugurated on 27th March by the High Commissioner of India, Shri Alok Prasad.

Entitled “The Path Of Compassion”, the exhibition provides a comprehensive perspective of the monuments and art heritage of Buddhism from the earliest times and is a visual pilgrimage through the life of the Buddha, to the places of his birth, enlightenment, first sermon and final renunciation (like Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya, Dhamekh Stupa at Sarnath, Sanchi Stupa, Ajanta and Ellora Caves, etc.).

Buddhist sculpture and paintings are some of the gentlest and most sublime art of mankind. These are also the oldest surviving art of the historic period in the Indian subcontinent. Emperor Ashok in the 3rd century BC was the first great royal patron of Buddhism. The great stupas which he made, his commemorative pillars and sculptural railings are some of the most beautiful and oldest surviving architecture and art of the subcontinent.

Binoy K. Behl is known for his pioneering low-light photography of ancient paintings, capturing their true and luminous colours more clearly than ever done before. He is also known for his extremely sensitive photography of Buddhist art which provides a deep insight into the gentle and compassionate message of the art.

From the time of Emperor Ashok onwards, Buddhism spread not only to all corners of India but also all over Asia. Sri Lanka became the centre of the earlier Theravada order of Buddhism from where the Buddhist tradition travelled to the countries of South-East Asia. The religion and the art associated with it had a transforming effect on the countries which it reached and, till today, the art heritage of Buddhism flourishes in the whole continent.

The strong Buddhist link between India and Sri Lanka is best symbolized by the fact that the sapling from the Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya that Rev. Mahinda, the son of Emperor Ashok, planted is today the Sri Bodhi tree at Anuradhapura. And when the Great Bodhi at Bodh Gaya degenerated, it was a sapling from Anuradhapura that was used to regenerate it.

Covering a wide range of the heritage of both Theravada and Mahayana-Vajrayana orders, the exhibition provides a view of the richness of the whole Buddhist tradition. This exhibition has travelled to various countries around the world. It has also been held independently by institutions in India and other countries.

The Exhibition is being held at the Indian Cultural Centre, No. 133 Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 04, and is open from 10 A.M. to 7 P.M. everyday from 27th March – 3rd April 2008.

Operationalisation of the MoU signed on October 5, 2007 on TRQ in respect of 3 million pieces of garments
14th March, 2008

The Union Cabinet of India today gave approval for formal notification of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Government of India on October 5 th 2007.

The notification will operationalise Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) in respect of 3 million pieces of garments and remove conditions of sourcing fabrics from India for these items as well as port of entry restrictions in respect of these items.

This measure has been taken by the Government of India with a view to assist in correction to some extent the trade imbalance that currently exists between India and Sri Lanka.

Scholarships for Studying Hindi In India
12th March, 2008

The Government of India is offering scholarships to Sri Lankan nationals to study Hindi at the Kendriya Hindi Sansthan (Central Institute of Hindi), Agra, for the academic session 2008-2009. Applicants should have done Hindi as a subject at G.C.E. A/L or have done Prathamic or Madhyama level of Hindi course or any university degree in Hindi. Minimum age for admission is 21 years and maximum age limit is 35 years as on 1.8.2008. The selected candidates will be provided return airfare (economy class), stipend, hostel accommodation at nominal charges and annual book grant.

The application form can be obtained from the Indian Cultural Centre, No.133, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo – 4 (Tel. No.2500014) on weekdays between 9.30 am to 1.00 pm from 12th to 20th March 2008. The applicant should come in person to collect the forms.

Duly filled in application forms supported by necessary certificates should be handed over to the Information Wing, High Commission India, No.36-38, Galle Road, Colombo – 3 in person by 26.3.2008. The candidates are required to bring their certificates in original and present themselves for a short interview at the time of submitting their applications.

A Ceremonial Block Assembly
05th March, 2008

A Ceremonial Block Assembly (Keel Laying) of two 250 passenger cum 100MT cargo ships constructed for the Administration of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep in India took place in Colombo on 5 March 2008. These ships were built by the Colombo Dockyard PLC, a Colombo based company which won the contract to build these ships through a global tender advertised by the Administration of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep in India. Each vessel will cost US$18.3 million and the total amount of order is US$36.6 million. The first vessel is expected to be delivered in December 2009 and the second one in July 2010.

The ceremony was attended by the Hon'ble Administrator Mr. B.V. Selvaraj of the UT of Lakshadweep who visited Colombo for this purpose. Hon'ble Administrator also had a meeting with Chairman Fisheries Corporation with a view to explore direct marketing of 'massmeen' dry tuna fish which is also known as Maldives fish.

This event symbolised the growing economic partnership between India and Sri Lanka & epitomizes the vast potential of cooperation that exists between the two countries.

Scholarship Programme for Diaspora (PIO) Children - 2008
04th March, 2008

To assist children of Indian Origin (PIOs) and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in pursuing Under Graduate courses in Higher and Technical fields in India, the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs of the Government of India introduced a Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children (SPDC) in 2006. Under this Programme, 67 PIO/NRI students were granted scholarship during the academic year 2006-07 while 81 students were granted scholarship in the next academic year. The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs seeks application for the Scholarship Programme for the academic year 2008-09. The highlights of the scholarship are as follows:

• 100 scholarships are being offered for Undergraduate courses in disciplines including Engineering/Architecture/Technology, Humanities/Liberal Arts, Commerce, Management - BBA/BBM, Journalism, Hotel Management, Agriculture/Animal Husbandry, Science, Law etc
• The Programme is open only to PIOs/NRIs from the specified 40 countries including Sri Lanka
• The last date for receipt of duly filled in prescribed application form by Educational Consultants India Limited (Ed.CIL) is 4th April, 2008
• Candidates would be selected on the basis of a common entrance test to be conducted by Ed.CIL on 18th May, 2008 at the High Commission of India, Colombo. Exact timings would be intimated later. The candidates would also have to fulfill the entire criterion prescribed for the purpose
• The amount of scholarship admissible would be 75% of Institutional Economic Cost (IEC) or US$ 3,600 (US$ Three thousand six hundred), whichever is less. IEC includes tuition fee, hostel fee and other institutional charges.

For further information, please visit Ed.CIL websites www.edcil.co.in and www.educationindia4u.nic.in