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Celebrating Commonwealth Day At CYP Asia Centre

18 March 2004

Indian Dancers

Dancers Celebrating Commonwealth Day in India

Commonwealth Day was celebrated in India in a big way. A flag-raising ceremony was held on 8 March 2004 at the Commonwealth Youth Programme(CYP) Asia Centre in Chandigarh and attended by Mayor Kamlesh. This was followed by an inter-college quiz competition with the dual themes of Commonwealth Day and International Women's Day. The competition was aimed at increasing awareness of Commonwealth values, gender and contemporary issues related to youth. The Commonwealth Youth Ambassadors for Positive Living, trained by the CYP Asia Centre, also performed a street play to create awareness of HIV/AIDS and drug abuse among young people. 

"The Commonwealth Youth Programme of the Commonwealth Secretariat contributes to building a Commonwealth of freedom by working with and through young people," said Raka Rashid, Regional Director, CYP Asia Centre. "We seek to facilitate freedom through knowledge, skills, access to opportunities, participation and distance learning."

In New Delhi the Government of India hosted the celebration, from 9 to 11 March, which included adventure sports, exhibitions and a cultural programme featuring participants from Commonwealth nations in Asia.

The first day began with the Queen's Commonwealth Day Message that was played out on tape. Guest of Honour was India's Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Vijay Goyal. Commonwealth Youth Caucus Chairman, Dev Suman Sindhu, spoke about the need for freedom among the young of the Commonwealth in their search for adequate food, employment and good health.

A display of cuisines and culture was held, ranging from folk and classical dances to modern performances including singing. The young participants were also taken on a tour to the Taj Mahal in Agra on the second day of the celebrations. They were treated to some adventure sports on the third day of activities, with a hot-air balloon ride and a rolling ball. The participants also took part in a symbolic 'Freedom Run' and met and interacted with India's young achievers. Among them was the first Indian woman to climb Mount Everest, Santosh Yadav, who talked about her experiences, and Navin Jindal, who had litigated and won the right for Indian citizens to use the Indian flag. The evening ended with an 'India Nite' of classical, folk and tribal performances from all over the country.

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