University of São Paulo: USP International Intercultural Center gains space dedicated to India
USP and the Consulate General of India inaugurated, on August 18, the India Corner, a new space that is part of the USP International Intercultural Center, dedicated to the dissemination of Indian culture and information on exchanges and research in that country.
The ceremony began with the lighting of the traditional Ceremonial Lamp, which is part of the Indian ritual of purification and wisdom, by the Consul General of India in São Paulo, Manisha Swami; by the president of the USP Agency for National and International Academic Cooperation (Aucani), Sergio Persival Baroncin Proença; by the president of the Association of Indians in São Paulo, Shoban Saxena; and the president of the Brazil-India Chamber of Commerce, Roberto Paranhos do Rio Branco.
Swami Vivekananda Cultural Center teacher Satyendra Singh offered a quick yoga class to those present, followed by a performance of mohiniyattam, Indian classical dance style, by actress and dancer Irani da Cruz Cippiciani.
“In this corner, visitors will be able to find carefully selected extracts of this age-old cultural diversity that is India”, said the president of Aucani, Sergio Proença.
The Consul General of India in São Paulo, Manisha Swami, stressed that Indian cultural diversity is represented in the new space, but the country also stands out for “its traditions, its dialects, its cuisine”. Manisha also mentioned that, on August 15, the country, once linked to the United Kingdom, celebrated 75 years of its independence. “I hope that the academic community will seek to know, read more about India, so that we can develop more activities in common”, she said.
The consul general of India in São Paulo, Manisha Swani, and the vice-rector of USP, Maria Arminda do Nascimento Arruda – Photo: Marcos Santos/USP Images
intercultural space
The International Intercultural Center, an initiative linked to Aucani, is an environment focused on internationalization, dissemination of different cultures, exchange of experiences and dissemination of opportunities in Brazil and abroad.
The CII opened last year, with the opening of the Korea Corner in November; from Israel Corner in December; and France Corner, in June this year. Other countries should open their spaces at the CII later this year, such as Ireland, scheduled for the 31st of August.
In addition to the intercultural space, the center also has an Academic Reception Office for Foreigners and National Institutions, which provides information on exchange procedures, documentation with the Federal Police and reception for delegations that visit the University annually.
Located at the International Diffusion Center (CDI) – Av. Prof. Lúcio Martins Rodrigues, 310, Bloco B, 1st floor, in Cidade Universitária, São Paulo –, the International Intercultural Center is open from Monday to Friday, from 10 am to 4 pm.