A Joint Press Conference with Saudi Minister of National Guard, His Highness Prince Khalid bin Abdulaziz bin Muhammad bin Eyaf al-Muqrin Al-Saud
- It is a matter of great honour for India to be invited as Guest of Honour country for the prestigious National Festival. The Festival is the most prestigious and popular "National Heritage and Culture Festival" of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is being
organized annually, since 1985. The Custodian of Two Holy Mosques himself patronizes the festival. I wish to thank The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques on behalf of my leadership for bestowing this honour on India.
- The Festival is organized by the Ministry of National Guard (SANG) and Minister of National Guard presides over the Supreme Committee of the Festival. I wish to thank the Minister of National Guard, His Highness Prince Khalid bin Abdulaziz bin Muhammad
bin Eyaf al-Muqrin Al-Saud for providing all help and support to us and the Indian Embassy in Riyadh to facilitate our participation in this festival.
- We greatly value our close and deep rooted civilizational and strategic relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This relationship got further impetus and new direction after the historical visit of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Kingdom
in 2016. The Kingdom is also home to more than 3 million-strong Indian Community. I have no doubt that India’s participation in this festival will take our relationship to new heights.
- Hon’ble External Affairs Minister of India Smt. Sushma Swaraj will be leading the Indian delegation for inauguration of this historical event on February 7.
- India’s participation in the festival will be multifaceted. We will have an Indian Pavilion where we will project a number of Indian themes and projects. The India Pavilion will comprise glimpses of Traditional and Modern India. There will be displays and
presentations by Ministries/Departments such as Indian Ordnance Factories Board, ISRO, Ministry of AYUSH, India Tourism board, Ministry of Shipping, Ministry of Textiles, Handicrafts Promotion Council, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Skill development,
Digital India, Make in India etc.
- On the traditional side, India Pavilion will have presentations representing our socio-cultural heritage, folklore, traditional costumes, Indian perfumes, bridal costumes, artifacts, display of specimen of calligraphy, Arabic manuscripts etc. Our Saudi
friends will also be able to enjoy glimpses of Indian Food at the Flavours of India booth in the Indian Pavilion.
- On the cultural side, we will have an extensive programme as well. The Indian Council of Cultural Relations, ICCR, is sending 9 different cultural troupes for the cultural performances which include Kathakali, Kalariyaptu, Kathak, Manipuri, Chhau, Bangra,
Bollywood, Gujarati and Rajasthani. There will be cultural performances in all the evenings in this 18-day festival. There will be cultural performances by the Indian school children and the Indian community as well. Yoga performances have also been arranged
every day. For all the Bollywood lovers, we will also screen Indian movies during the festival. The Indian Community in the Kingdom is also joining hands and putting up cultural extravaganza representing various States of India.
- A number of Indian companies are also putting up their stalls in the Indian Pavilion including L & T, Tata Motors, Lulu Group, TCIL, Al Abeer Medical Group, ITL Group, Jet Airways, Shapoorji Pallonji, Virat, Aster Med city, KRBL Rice, Toshi Electronic etc.
FICCI is the industry partner in this endeavor and has put together the Indian pavilion and ensure Indian industry participation in the festival.
- I have no doubt that a visit to the India Pavilion will leave everyone mesmerized and will give a taste of India to our Saudi friends which they will remember for many years to come. Do visit the India Pavilion; it would be like visiting India without visa
and troubles of travels.
Thank You