The High Commission organised a mega cultural event, “INDOTSWANA DAY†(India-Botswana Day) on 28th April 2019 at Gaborone International Conference Centre (GICC), Grand Palm, focussing on the cultural aspects of India and Botswana, especially involving the women members of Indian and local community. The event was planned with the objective of promoting people-to-people ties and enhancing the understanding of each other’s culture. The event was also aimed to highlight and showcase women’s empowerment as all the participants were only women.
The President of Botswana Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi along with First Lady of Botswana Mrs. Neo Masisi graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. President Dr. Masisi initially had plans to attend the INDOTSWANA DAY briefly. However, the President and the First Lady liked the show very much and they both enjoyed the programme till the end for more than three hours.
The other dignitaries who were present at the event included Chief Justice Mr. Terrence T. Rannowane, International Affairs and Cooperation Minister Dr. Unity Dow, Assistant Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Culture Development Mr. Dikgang Makgalemele, Justice Mr. Lakhwinder Singh Walia, Court of Appeal of Botswana, Bank of Botswana Governor Mr. Moses D Pelaelo, Gaborone City Mayor Mr. Kagiso Thutlwe, and many Members of Parliament. All these dignitaries enjoyed the programme till the end. The other attendees were heads of diplomatic missions and Indian diaspora members with the total number exceeding 800.
The aim of INDOTSWANA DAY was to create a platform for women’s empowerment and their role in strengthening people-to-people contacts. This occasion in Botswana was first of its kind as the cultural programmes were entirely organized / coordinated by talented local women participants of Indian and Botswana community in an endeavour to exhibit the richness of their cultures. The programmes included showcasing of women attires by Indian as well as Botswana women enthusiasts, dance and songs performance from Botswana and India. The Indian performers showcased variety of attires from across India, including saree etc. ranging from Jammu & Kashmir to Kanyakumari and from Mumbai to North Eastern States. They also staged classical Indian dances, including Bharatanatyam, Mohiniattam, Kuchipudi, Bihu, Giddha, Garbha etc.
The event was co-organised by the recognised Indian community associations including Indian Association Botswana and India Botswana Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IBCCI). The generous Indian community in Botswana donated Pula 1,11,111/- (equivalent to Rs.7.00 lakh) as well to the Ipelego Trust (formed by President Dr. Masisi), a non-profit making organisation which actively involves in social development / employment generation programmes for youth, agriculture and livelihoods for the Botswana people.
High Commissioner of India Dr. Rajesh Ranjan briefly touched upon the significance of our bilateral ties which is based on shared values of democracy, pluralism, expanding economic engagement and long-standing people-to-people ties. He reiterated that there is an increasing convergence of values, strategic perspectives, economic and systematic complementarities between the two countries.
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