No.206-3

Meguro UNESCO Exchange Salon

’Let’s Learn about India!’ ― The country with a history of ten thousand years

*Photo from left: Sadhira-san, Vidya-san, Jyoti-san*

Jyoti Kuril (a friendship member of Meguro UNESCO Association)

I arranged an exchange gathering ‘Let’s learn about India!’ and opened it on March 13 Saturday. It was so enjoyable and I was very happy to talk about India to the audience. I was so touched by seeing the happy faces of people enjoying Indian music and food. When some participants tried on Indian clothes, I decorated them with Bindi which Indian ladies put on their forehead. However, the audience was larger than expected so I could not give Bindi to everyone. When a girl student asked if there were extra Bindis, I had to say there were none left and she almost burst into tears. So I took off my Bindi and put it on her forehead. In doing so, I remembered my childhood when I often gave my Bindi to my sister.

Photo: Vidya-san

I was very happy to share my country’s culture and history in so many ways. I believed Japanese people already had enough pre-knowledge about Indian culture, so I tried hard to find some aspects of Indian culture unfamiliar to the Japanese audience. I was very happy to tell my findings to them. I remember how teachers of the Meguro UNESCO Japanese classes, members of Meguro UNESCO, Indian members, Vidya-san (she performed Indian dance) and Sadhira-san (she sang Indian songs), kindly helped me. I am leaving for India soon and feel lonely to leave these kind people. I thank everyone for giving me good memories of this exchange gathering. I tried to collect lots of information for the gathering and learned much about Indian culture, which I never knew before. We know India has a long history and culture. We can see many accounts of battles and peaceful times throughout its history.

Even now, tragic wars occur in many places around the world. India has never invaded another country in its history of ten thousand years. With that in mind, I think we can say that India is a symbol of peace and love. I really appreciate Meguro UNESCO Association for this valuable opportunity.

Jyoti-san is leaving for her country, India, this spring.

*Participants with the flag of India and the flag of Meguro UNESCO Association*

Meguro UNESCO Association appreciates the contribution of the three members mentioned above, and also Bangladeshi member Akram-san (he made Indian Chai tea for the audience), and Indian member Satish-san (she offered free Chai materials).