LONDON:
Come July and London will turn into a mini India with a three-month festival
that will showcase India's popular culture, arts and
cuisine.
Dubbed 'India Now',
the fest will comprise several events across London dedicated to Indian art,
films, food, theatre, music and
fashion.
The Mayor of London,
Ken Livingstone, will launch the festival on July 15. The theme of the event is
"India and London - Partners in Globalisation", reported Asians in Media, an
ethnic online magazine.
"India
is not only one of the world's most important and rapidly growing economies, an
emerging economic superpower, but it also has one of the world's most important
cultures," Livingstone was quoted as saying.
"In 2007, we are aiming to
strengthen London's relations with India, building on the significant
contribution the Indian community - the largest minority national group in
London - already makes to the economic, cultural and social success of the
capital," he said.
Later this
year, Livingstone is expected to visit both New Delhi and Mumbai with a
delegation of representatives from London businesses, with plans to open mayoral
offices in both cities.
India
definitely seems to be the flavour of the season in Britain. Earlier this month,
the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) held a four-day gala event in
Yorkshire, complete with Bollywood stars and their glitzy
performances.