C-Edge College and Japan Foundation (JF), New Delhi based hosted its first Northeast Japan Caravan 2023 for Nagaland at the college premises in Naga United village, Dimapur on February 3. (Morung Photo)
C-Edge College and Japan Foundation host Northeast Japan Caravan in Nagaland
Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 3
Bringing attention towards the need to build better cultural and economic relationships, C-Edge College and the Japan Foundation (JF), New Delhi based, hosted its first Northeast Japan Caravan 2023 for Nagaland at the college premises in Naga United village, Dimapur on February 3.
The two-day event features a range of authentic Japanese cultural experiences for the students to get involved in starting with calligraphy, voice-acting, movie screening and trying out ‘yukata.’
“This was all sponsored by JF, who are an organisation of the Japanese government and on their behalf, they carry out these activities,” stated Er Moa Aier, Engineer-in-chief, Power department and co-founder of the college.
In the beginning contact was first by the college back in 2020 when they conducted an online Japanese Language Programme (JLP) offered by the Japan Foundation. This was done so as to spread awareness and educate people on Japanese language.
Approximately 500 students turned up on the first day of the event from different colleges according to Wapanginla Ao, Event Coordinator and Dean of Management studies. Although the event was carried out for cultural awareness, she also shared that the main concept behind connecting with Japan Foundation was to provide better job opportunities for the youths of the State.
“We all know that in Nagaland job opportunities are hard to come by especially for young people based on the ‘government job’ centric mindset we have,” she said. At the other end however, Japan is a country which is seeking skilled human resources from abroad.
As such platforms like the Japan Caravan would enable graduates to find employment in that country and bring back valuable ideas to the state, she added.
In regard to the event, the college was providing the man-power, venue and other minor expenses while the rest were taken care of by JF.
Positive response from youths
For Aoi Ishimaru, Director of Arts & Cultural Exchange, she noted that the reception towards the Northeast Japan Carnival have been significantly positive. Ishimaru was joined by Taisei Toyomaru, Director of Language & Studies as the two Japanese nationals who were part of an eight member team from Delhi. So far the organisation has toured two cities in the NE region, Guwahati and Imphal.
Their team had brought with them authentic calligraphy brushes, yukata dresses and other materials, made in Japan.
“Our government and the Indian government are very keen to promote the language and culture in this region due to the good potential it has,” she viewed.
In addition, close historical connections between the two countries were also cited as other key reasons. Mention may be made that Kohima and Imphal were the two locations in India where the Japanese and the British militaries fought during the Second World War in 1944.
