Did you know that India and Tanzania share many things in common? For instance, ‘chai’ means tea for Tanzanians too, and ‘Arusha,’ a Sanskrit word is a popular tourist destination in Tanzania? The student audience at the Rani Bahadur auditorium in Manasagangotri were amazed on hearing such facts at a programme ‘My Country- My People’, jointly organised by The International Centre and Centre for Proficiency Development and Placement Services, University of Mysore, yesterday.

Vice-Chancellor Prof. K.S. Rangappa inaugurated the unique meet which aimed at promoting multiculturalism and bringing students of different countries together to share their traditions and culture.

Prof. R. Indira, Director, UoM’s International Centre, said that the Mysore University was among the top Universities in the country attracting foreign students, with about 1,200 students from nearly 50 different countries and added that the programme gave students from two countries, Namibia and Tanzania, an opportunity to make presentations about their nation’s history and cultural uniqueness, thereby promoting multi-culturalism and strengthening the relationship between nations in the long run.

Benjamin, a MSW student and Antonette, a journalism student, both from Namibia, spoke about the different aspects of their country, stating that theirs was a very young country, which gained independence only in 1990, after going through a lot of genocide and massacres.

Maria, also a student of journalism, and a native of Tanzania, gave a reason for the local students to feel proud when she said that her country’s freedom movement was inspired by Indian freedom struggle, and the country gained independence in 1962.

‘Infact, Indian food is well adopted in Tanzanian culture and the first ‘Miss Tanzania’ has her roots in India,’ she said with a smile and concluded her talk.

Courtesy : Star Of Mysore