Montana State univ to celebrate India week

The Montana State University (MSU) in Bozeman, US, will be hosting its annual International Education week from November 13-17 where Indian culture, traditions and economy will be the focus for a variety of activities planned by it.

"Each year MSU focuses on a region or country of particular interest because of the academic programmes we have on campus. It had to be India this year, given the importance of the country in international dynamics," said Yvonne Rudman, Director for Academic & Technical Programmes.

Elizabeth Blanchford, the international student recruiter for MSU International Programs, will kick-off the proposed celebration on India with a photo essay of her recent travels in India during the seminar, "On the Trail of Shiva". There are approximately 31 Indian students in the campus, who would be incharge of co-ordinating the festival.

Considering the enormous amounts of interest generated by Indian textiles in the US and Europe, Michelle Maskiel, MSU's history professor plans to have a display of Indian textiles and brief the students about the sector in the country. Another professor, Lynda Sexton, MSU's religious studies professor, has lined-up a story telling session to give students a background on traditional tales in India and their role in forming cultural acceptances and norms in the Indian society. Some of the students, who had visited South India as part of a study trip will be airing a video titled "Singing for Survival", which is touted to be one of the most awaited events during the week of festivities.

Other lectures arranged include a session by a visiting Indian Fulbright professor who will be discussing the complexities of the Indian marketplace, followed by a presentation about finding justice for people who have disappeared in India by Jasmine Marwaha, a Harvard graduate who works for the non-profit organization, ENSAAF. Rudman says there will also be a lecture on "Cowboy Krishna", to be delivered by Prasanta Bandyopadhyay, an MSU professor of history and philosophy.