Thousands to attend UAE-India Fest in capital

THIS YEAR’S FESTIVAL ALSO MARKS MOHAMMAD BIN ZAYED’S INDIA VISIT AS CHIEF GUEST AT INDIAN REPUBLIC DAY CELEBRATIONS

More than 30,000 people are expected to attend the UAE-India Fest in Abu Dhabi, which will celebrate cultural and people-to-people ties, organisers announced here yesterday.

The Indian Social and Cultural Centre (ISC), the largest Indian community organisation in the capital, is organising the three-day festival from January 26 to 28 on the ISC premises.

The ISC has been organising this annual event named ‘India Fest’ since 2011. However, this year’s event has been renamed ‘UAE-India Fest Season-7’ to celebrate the state visit of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to India as the chief guest on Indian Republic Day on January 26.

“This signature event will be an opportunity to express the Indian community’s love and gratitude to the UAE leadership for taking care of the community in the UAE,” Thomas Varghese, honorary president of the ISC, said at a press conference.

The festival with a budget of Dh1 million will set aside a portion of the savings for charity activities. The ISC spent Rs800,000 (Dh43,132) for charity in India last year, he said.

The event celebrating the diversity of Indian culture, music and food, will also feature Emirati cuisine, art and cultural performances such as the Khaleej dance, Ayalah dance and Tanoora, said John P. Varghese, honorary general secretary of the ISC.

The inauguration will be held at 8pm on January 26 in the presence of many dignitaries.

The festival as a cultural, recreational and educational experience will bring Emiratis, Indians and their friends together under one roof, organisers said.

It is held under the patronage of the Indian Embassy, Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, Abu Dhabi Police and the Department of Municipal Affairs and Transport in Abu Dhabi.

“In our meetings with the UAE officials during the past two weeks, we were happy to learn that they wanted both Emirati and Indian communities to come together,” Varghese said.

Renowned regional and international performers will entertain the audience with music and art performances.