IFLC is All Set to Embark on Indian Soil for the First Time

New Delhi: In a press conference at UNC Hall, 55 Lodi Estate, New Delhi, the Educational Endowment Trust in association with Ministry of Culture, Government of India and UN Information Centre for India and Bhutan announced the plan for 14th International Festival of Language & Culture 2016 (IFLC 2016). It will be organised for the first time in India. The event is scheduled to be held on 7th May 2016 at the Talkatora Stadium, New Delhi where students from 17 countries namely India, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Germany, Kyrgyzstan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Tanzania, Tunisia, Ukraine, Hungary, US-TX, Georgia and Russia will sing and dance together for promoting the message of peace and brotherhood.

43 students and 18 mentors from abroad and 350 students from reputed Delhi schools namely Springdale’s School, The Frank Antony Public School, Ahlcon International School, Mata Guruji School, Tagore International School and Bluebells International School will participate in the 14th IFLC with the theme “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - ‘The world is one family’. Number of political figures comprising Mrs. Sushma Swaraj (Minister of External Affairs), Mr. Venkaiah Naidu (Minister of Parliamentary Affairs), Dr. Najma Heptullah (Minister of Minority Affairs), Dr. Mahesh Sharma (Minister of Tourism and Culture), Mr. Arvind Kejriwal (CM of Delhi), Shri Shri Ravi Shankar, Yog Guru Baba Ramdev, Acharya Balkrishna (Managing Director Patanjali) with many other dignitaries including MPs, celebrities, spiritual leaders, etc are likely to mark their presence on the grand event.

Addressing the media Mr. Bilal Acikgoz one of the coordinators IFLC 2016, said, “We believe that understanding different languages and cultures helps us understand each other better, and that is the motive behind IFLC.”

He also added, “I would also like to share that in India we have seen tremendous talent and potential in the local students. They deserve serious attention of global educational and cultural organisations. I think the international education fraternity should work in close cooperation with their Indian counterparts to provide the opportunities the Indian students truly deserve. The Educational Endowment Trust itself is keen to explore the talents of Indian students in other parts of India as well, especially in states like Maharashtra, UP, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand.”

Mrs. Ameeta Mulla Wattal, Spokesperson IFLC 2016 and Principal of Springdales School, Mr. Stephen DaCosta, Spokeperson IFLC 2016 and Principal of Frank Anthony Public School, Mr. Rajiv Chandran, National Information Officer of United Nations Information Centre for India and Bhutan and students from various parts of the country (going to participate on May 07), interacted with the media during the press conference. At this occasion, Mrs. Wattal said, “IFLC brings a collective consciousness by bringing youth together from across the world through music, dance and culture.”

IFLC is a global effort to facilitate a cordial engagement between the young change makers from different parts of the world. For the first time, the Indian capital, New Delhi, will host it where school students from all over the world will sing, dance and act to promote universal harmony and brotherhood at Talkatora Stadium. IFLC has been organised for the past 14 years, showcasing both the rich multicultural diversity of our world as well as the amazing talent of young students. It is an annual celebration that presents a range of linguistic and cultural diversity from around the world. Patanjali, The Art of Living, Arya Samaj, Chinmaya Mission, India Islamic Cultural Centre, Indialogue Foundation, Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee, Turkish-Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry and Vaidat Legal Services are the supporting organizations for the event. The Yellow Coin Communication Pvt. Ltd. is looking after the PR activities for this global event.