ARCHIVED MEDIA RELEASE
PA/14/07 20 August 2007
Australia-India cultural exchange receives further boost
Indian art patron to visit Australia
The Australian Government today announced the selection of Ms Sangita Jindal, President of Art India magazine and the Jindal Arts Creative Interactive Centre, for the 2007-08 International Cultural Visits (ICV) Program, 19-25 August 2007.
“We are delighted that Ms Sangita Jindal has agreed to participate in the Australian International Cultural Visits program” said Mr David Holly, Acting Australian High Commissioner to India. “Through Ms Jindal’s patronage of the arts, we look forward to further strengthening the cultural linkages between Australia and India.” This includes building on the success of the two-year (2005-07) AusArts India program in Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, New Delhi, Kolkata, Jaipur and Chennai.
The aim of the International Cultural Visits program is to generate credibility and respect for Australian culture internationally and enhance links between the Australian arts community with those of other countries, particularly countries like India, which have a strong and rich cultural heritage. Over the years, prominent art personalities from around the world have participated in the program.
Ms Sangita Jindal, a Mumbai-based patron of the arts, is also backed by a large Indian corporate, Jindal Group. Ms Jindal was the chairperson for the Kala Ghoda Art Festival and headed the Art and Heritage component of the Mumbai Festival. She is the Founding Trustee of the Friends for J J School of Art Trust, and Chairperson of the Hampi Foundation, which is involved in heritage management. An Eisenhower Fellow in 2004, Ms Jindal is the founder chairperson of the Jindal South West Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the O P Jindal group. For her active participation in issues relating to Mumbai, the “I love Mumbai” Committee conferred upon her the Best Citizens Award for the year 2002.
Ms Jindal's visit to Australia will further strengthen people-to-people and cultural linkages between Australia and India, which have gained tremendous momentum in the recent past with the Australian Government's AusArts India cultural promotion. AusArts India was brought to India between 2005-07 to showcase to the Indian audience Australia's excellence in film, arts and literature.
For further information, please contact Ms Asha Das, Country Manager, Australia – India Council, on (0) 98108 60451.