University of Latvia opens the Centre for Indian Studies and Culture

The opening ceremony was attended by UL Rector Professor Mārcis Auziņš, Ambassador of India to Sweden and Latvia Banashri Bose Harison, as well as Atis Lejiņš, Head of the Latvia–India Interparliamentary Cooperation Group of the Latvian Parliament, Einars Semanis, Head of the Economic and Bilateral Relations Directorate of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Einars Semanis, Ambassador of Latvia to Poland and Samir Singh, a representative of the Indo–Latvian Chamber of Commerce.

During the opening ceremony, the Indian Ambassador gave a speech on the Possibilities of Latvian–Indian Cooperation in Business and Education. The event was followed by Premal Madina’s Indian dance performance and the scientific conference On the Amber Road in India. Speeches at the conference were given by UL Centre for Indian Studies and Culture Acting Director Professor Sigma Ankrava, Professor Valdis Segliņš, doctoral students Elīna Goškina and Rūta Jirgensone, as well as psychotherapist and Riga Stradiņš University Associate Professor Gunta Ancāne who talked about the Indian culture and concept of identity.

The aims of the newly established centre include raising public awareness of contemporary Indian culture, business and politics, as well as encouraging cooperation between Latvian and Indian researchers and academic staff. Starting from October, the centre will offer Hindi language courses to anyone interested. Hindi classes will take place at 10 Rūpniecības Street (UL Academic library) on Mondays and Wednesdays from 16:30 until 18:00. For more information on the courses, contact Sigma Ankrava at Sigma.Ankrava@lu.lv.

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