Seychelles-India Day: Countdown begins… |02 October 2014

Countdown to the second Seychelles-India Day has started.
This year’s event which will be celebrated from October 3 to 5, will cater for more people to take part and taste the Indian food and appreciate Indian culture.

“Last year Seychelles made a great cultural move when we celebrated the Seychelles-India Day for the first time,” the Minister for Tourism and Culture Alain St Ange said this week in a meeting with the press at the Espace Building.  “We are proud to be part of this melting pot where different cultures work together to make the country progress. This year the Indian community worked really hard to make it happen. The government of India will also donate a fund for the promotion of culture in Seychelles and the Maestro Ilaiyaraaja will also be honoured as the ambassador for culture for Seychelles,” revealed Minister St Ange.

He also mentioned that there will be a delegation from the Bollywood industry that will be present during the Seychelles-India Day activities to explore the possibilities of coming back to Seychelles to film.

Minister St Ange talked about the close collaboration that exists between Seychelles and the business community of Indian origin.

“We have to acknowledge their contribution. Recently on our official trip to India, some prominent businessmen accompanied us at their own expense to ease our meetings with the new government in India. This really helped us strengthen the ties between the two countries and open further the doors for more collaboration,” noted the minister.

According to Ramu Pillay, member of the core committee of the Seychelles-India Day, there will be 40 stalls held by Seychellois and Indians where Indian food and other handicraft from India will be on sale.

“We invite you all to come and enjoy our food and our culture,” said Mr Pillay.

Events that the public have full access to are: Inauguration of Fun and Food Fair, exhibition and sale of handicraft outside the National Library; live culinary show by Chef Kunal Kapoor at Eden Plaza on Saturday October 4 at 10.30am; musical gala night and performance by Indian DJ at Stad Popiler on Saturday October 4 as from 7pm.

The paying event is a musical concert and gala lunch at Constance Ephelia Resort on Sunday October 5. Tickets cost R750 apiece.
Other closed activities are the handing over of a medical project at the Seychelles Hospital and a cocktail in honour of Maestro Ilaiyaraaja at the International Conference Centre on Friday October 3.