British Council launches 'UK-India Year of Culture' in Bhubaneswar

BHUBANESWAR: British Council on Friday launched ‘2017 UK-India Year of Culture’ here to promote the spirit of cultural partnership. Aim of the campaign is to highlight the vibrant cultural history of two countries and celebrate the best 'cultural exports' together.
The campaign plan was announced during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to London in November last year, source said.
British Council India director Allan Gemmell OBE, while launching the campaign, said they will give greater focus, depth and relevance to the long-standing relationship between the two countries through the campaign.
He said British Council will organize a range of programmes in India to exchange cultural relations between the countries. We will celebrate 70 years of UK-India relationship, reconnect millions of young people of the country and inspire people through different cultural programmes.
“We have planned to launch an Indian version of ‘Mix the Play’ with a different Shakespearean play in October this year. Mix the Play will offer digital audiences a chance to play director of one of Shakespearean plays. Its objective is to engage audiences with Shakespeare’s creation and educate them about theatre direction in a fun way,” he added.
Dr Debanjan Chakrabarti, director East India (British Council), said they have discussed with chief minister Naveen Patnaik about their plan for Odisha. He said they will give emphasis on increasing of employability and skill development of youths. “Role of English language is also important to increase employability among the youths. So we have a plan to work with college and schools of the state on this issue,” he added.
On cultural exchange, he said, they have just launched the programme. Later, they will discuss with several cultural organisations to exchange ideas, expertise and views to promote cultural relations among the two countries. “We will reach to the students in Odisha with seminars, debates and cultural programmes,” he added.