Excelsior Correspondent
JOHANNESBURG, Oct 3: The Cultural Diplomat of India to South Africa Balwant Thakur was honored here today at the Constitution Hill for creating a new record of holding six functions in one day at six different venues in Johannesburg.
The occasion was the celebrations of 150 years of Mahatma Gandhi and his relevance in contemporary South Africa. Balwant Thakur who has recently been appointed as the Cultural Diplomat of India in Consulate of India in Johannesburg, has revolutionized the place by introducing highly professionally devised cultural events thus taking the cultural supremacy of India to the ultimate heights.
People here never had the opportunity to see the programmes of such large scale on Mahatma Gandhi who inspired South Africa to seek independence from British rule. Just in one day, Balwant Thakur held six programmes on Mahatma Gandhi, including in the historical places like Gandhi Square, Constitution Hill where Gandhi Ji was imprisoned, Tolstoy Farm where Gandhi Ji initiated the movement against discrimination and the Satyagarah House where Gandhi Ji lived, did practice as a lawyer in Johannesburg.
A musical theatre production Áhimsa’ devised by Balwant Thakur featuring the transformation of Mahatma Gandhi from Karam Chand to Mahatma and his vision of nonviolence was showcased as a part of the 150 years of Mahatma Gandhi. These celebrations of such a large scale is seen to be highly appreciative initiative from Indian point of view as younger generations in South Africa are forgetting the contribution of Mahatma Gandhi who inspired the entire population of South Africa to seek justice and fight against the discrimination.
Balwant Thakur has also been mandated to culturally sensitize the people of Indian origin based in South Africa. Conferred with Padamshree by Government of India, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and the life-time achievement Award by J&K Government, Balwant Thakur has many distinctions to his credit when he served as Secretary J&K Academy of Art Culture and languages for about nine years and Regional Director of Indian Council for Cultural Relations for over six years.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
