Traditional welcome given to President Patil in Siem Reap
By ANIThursday, September 16, 2010
SIEM REAP - President Pratibha Devisingh Patil arrived in Siem Reap on Thursday, where the world famous heritage temples of Angkor Vat are located.
The trip has been undertaken in order to strengthen historical and cultural ties which have existed for more than 2000 years.
President Patil was given a traditional welcome at Siem Reap Airport by Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Royal Palace Samdech Chaufea Veang Kong Sam Oi.
President Patil is visiting Cambodia at the invitation of the King of Cambodia, Norodom Sihamoni.
Traditional dancers, scout guides and people from all walks of life, holding Indian flags at the airport, welcomed President Patil.
In a rare gesture, Patil interacted with dancers and commended them for their tremendous performance.
Soon after the reception, Patil laid the foundation stone for the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) Museum for traditional Asian textiles to link the cultural network between MGC countries through the traditional way of dressing and the art of using natural materials and the art of fashion design.
MGC countries include India, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and The Philippines.
Former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had announced a financial grant of one million dollars for setting up the “Museum of Traditional Asia Textiles” at Siem Reap under the MGC initiative,.
The proposed museum will have a training center and workshops for Cambodians, a fashion design and development center using traditional ethnic designs, and a children activity and learning center.
The Cambodian Government has given a hectare of land in Siam Reap for the project. The Indian Council of Cultural relations is the nodal agency for implementing the project.
Historically, India-Cambodia relations are a product of Hindu and Buddhist religious and cultural influences, emanating out of India in the 4th-6th century AD, to various parts of South-East Asia. By Praful Kumar SIngh (ANI)
