A photography exhibition and a seminar on empowering street children were organised which explored the lives and struggles of the vulnerable section of the society as the curtain was drawn on the Cairo leg of "India by the Nile 2016" festival.
"We believe that through India by the Nile, we try to bring about different connections between our two countries and our two peoples," India's Ambassador to Egypt Sanjay Bhattacharyya said yesterday, adding the the festival, a celebration of Indian music, dance, theatre, visual arts, food and Wellbeing, will continue till May 7 in other cities of Egypt.
"We should share our experiences so that we can learn from each other," he added.
The seminar on Empowering Street Children was held in the supreme Council for Culture while the photography exhibition entitled "Colors of Life" by Haran Kumar, a street child-turned photographer, was held in el-Hanager Gallery in the Cairo Opera House.
"For us it is very essential to recognize these challenges that we see around us and see how best we can address them," Ambassador Bhattacharyya added.
Amal el-Sabban, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Culture moderated the seminar.
"Not only there are similarities between India and Egypt in the richness of their culture and civilization but also in their efforts to reach sustainable development as they have a large number of marginalized people in their societies," el-Sabban said.
"Now the Egyptian society gives great attention to the issue of street children and how it can change them to a productive citizens who can benefit the society," she added during the seminar.
Kumar's exhibition 'Colors of Life: A Photography Exhibition' focused on photos of Indian people during the festivities of the Holy festival.
Haran Kumar, an award-winning, Delhi-based photographer with a 14 year long photographic experience, had very humble beginnings.
He left home at the age of 11 with just Rs 20 in his pocket and became a resident of a railway station. In 2001 an international photography workshop changed Haran's life. He was given a roll of film, a camera and asked to shoot whatever he wanted to. He chose 'Street Life' as he wanted to portray the dreams, desires and aspirations of people who lived on the street.
Sanjoy Roy from 'Salaam Baalak Trust' said that child have a right to a safe space where they can study and realize his full potential.
