India-Africa summit: NDMC lines up cultural treat

NEW DELHI: While the national capital gears up for the India-Africa summit here next week, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has lined up a cultural treat for the public focusing on the theme of the confluence of cultures.

The civic body is also dedicating to the summit an 'India- Africa Friendship Rose Garden' on Shantipath, which will be inaugurated by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on October 25.

"Ambassadors or high commissioners of all nations will be given saplings to plant in the rose garden, which will be a symbol of friendship between Africa and India.

"We have lined up a host of activities on the sidelines of the summit to offer a cultural treat to the people. While some performances have been planned in Connaught Place's Central Park, some are being organised at Nehru Park in Chanakyapuri and the Talkatora Stadium," NDMC secretary Chanchal Yadav told reporters here.

"Besides the cultural spectacle, NDMC has also lined up a digital interaction for Delhi residents with the citizens of Lagos in Nigeria. We are making arrangements at Central Park, where a large screen will be set up and group video- conferencing will be organised," she added.

NDMC, the India-Africa Summit Cell of the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations are organising the cultural programmes in collaboration with Delhi International Arts Festival (DIAF).

The line up includes a play, 'Barrister at Law', written by KA Abbas based on the stay of Mahatma Gandhi in Africa, which will be staged today at Nehru Park by Akshara Theatre.

Tomorrow, bands from Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana and India will be performing at the same venue while, on October 26, the audience will be enthralled by musicians and dancers from Rwanda, South Africa, Ghana and India.

While October 26 and 27 will see folk dance performances and international music performance, respectively, by DIAF artistes, Delhiites will be able to enjoy a choreographed show, 'Africa in India', on October 31.

"'Africa in India' is a specially-choreographed performance by artistes from many African countries such as Zambia, Ghana, Uganda. 'The Vessel'-an African Choir from Kenya and Congo.

"These performances will first be staged in Rashtrapati Bhawan for all heads of government from African countries and special invitees.

"These recitals are being organised by us for public on October 31 in Nehru Park," Yadav said.

Representatives of 54 African nations, including heads of state and government of around 40 countries, as well as delegates from the powerful African Union are expected to participate in the four-day India-Africa Summit beginning here on October 26.