Diplomatist Magazine Diplomatist March 2019

AFRICA DIARY and transfer of appropriate technology in diversiﬁ ed ﬁ elds. Besides India has announced $10 billion as a line of credit on soft terms for 5 years. This is in addition to a similar amount oﬀ ered in the past. From the foregoing, it will be clear that India’s relations with African countries are multifaceted and growing nicely in diverse areas. What else can be done to make these more broad-based and diversiﬁ ed? Government/institutional/business linkages need to be supplemented by innovative and dynamic ideas by the civil society and non-governmental organisations for closer grass root people to people connectivity. It is in this context that the academic community and Think tanks from both sides should rise to the occasion and show the way how and where to move. Following ideas are being oﬀ ered to set the ball rolling: a) A number of think tanks like IDSA, ORF, ICWA, in addition to JNU and Delhi University are doing pioneering work in propagating African studies. Considerable research is also being done by their scholars on the continent. Some working relationship could be established so that Indian Universities can lend a helping hand. b) Spread awareness and knowledge about Africa at school/ college levels in India. Initiatives should be taken to organise essay/painting competitions on themes pertaining to Africa among students. ICCR could help in many ways including making available prizes to the winners. A naturally rhythmic continent that literally jived to its freedom. The content and style of urban African theatre are infl uenced by both African dramatic traditions and Western theatre. The degree and manner of foreign infl uence differ greatly from country to country. c) A similar exercise can be undertaken by organising debates, seminars and workshops on African themes. d) Institutions like Delhi University should take initiative to open channels of communication with African Diplomatic Missions in Delhi and invite them from time to time for open house discussion on topics of mutual interest. African diplomatic missions should be advised to invite the interested academic community to the cultural shows organised by their visiting troupes from time to time to make them aware of the diversity of their traditions e) The median age of Sub-Saharan Africa is only 19 years. By 2020 as per some indication youngsters between the ages of 19-24 years would number 226 million. To harness this demographic dividend there is scope for f) g) h) i) j) tertiary education and health care sectors to be tapped, the demand for which can continue for 30-40 years. There does not seem to be any concerted eﬀ ort presently by Indian companies active in Africa in that direction. Such linkages must be facilitated. Indian academic community should supplement the eﬀ orts of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) asking them to be put in touch with visiting African students oﬀ ering them support and advice and to make them feel at home. The newcomers among them could be oﬀ ered familiarisation with Indian cultural practices/traditions to get over the initial cultural shock. Some volunteers should come forward to ‘adopt’ newly arrived students to make them feel at home and look after them as guardians. Awareness should be spread about the African students’ sensitivities among the Indians about how they are treated or made a target of ridicule or even physical abuse. Afrobeat culture, a combination of traditional African music, jazz, funk, and chanted vocals style was popularised in Africa in the 1970s. Dance culture permeates Africa. A naturally rhythmic continent that literally jived to its freedom. The content and style of urban African theatre are inﬂ uenced by both African dramatic traditions and Western theatre. The degree and manner of foreign inﬂ uence diﬀ er greatly from country to country. Some collaboration could be initiated with existing non-proﬁ t organisation and mutually beneﬁ t from their existing infrastructure. African missions often organise food festivals to promote their cuisines. On Africa Day most African countries put up stalls oﬀ ering their countries food specialties which have proved highly successful. It is gratifying to note that on the Ethiopian Embassy premises in Delhi their specialty restaurant serves authentic dishes from that country to the local community. Such eﬀ orts should be encouraged.  * The author is former Ambassador of India to Senegal and six other African countries. On retirement, he became Chairman of Overseas Infrastructure Alliance (India) Pvt. Ltd. (OIA) for close to ten years. In both assignments, he initiated and expanded economic relations with various foreign heads of state/government, senior government oﬃ cials, and business leaders. 54 • Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist • Vol 7 • Issue 3 • March 2019, Noida

Diplomatist Magazine Diplomatist March 2019 | Page 54