The New Culture Wing of the Embassy of India ( at Unit 01-03, 11 th Floor, East Tower, Twin Tower, B-12, Jian Guomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District, Beijing) was ready for operation on May 28 . The new Wing aims to promote in China, the multifarious aspects of Indian culture, arts and heritage. It will also serve as a window to explore and learn more about India for the local Chinese, who hitherto may have had limited access to such opportunities.

The new Wing has an 80 seater Main Hall, a Reading room-cum-library, two classrooms for teaching dance and music and an office space (some photos appended below). The interiors of the Wing have been done so as to represent India in its richness and splendor.

The new Culture Wing and the India Tourism Office (which is located in the same premises) jointly organized the event. Mr Benoy Behl, a renowned Indian photographer and Buddhism archivist, presented a brief lecture followed by the screening of his film "The Story of Buddhism" which highlighted the origins and essence of Buddhism. Ambassador was the chief guest at the event. An audience of around 50 Chinese students, artists, scholars and travel-related professionals attended the event.

A speech contest was organized at the new Wing for Chinese students from a few colleges and Universities of Beijing. The theme provided was "India - My Impressions". The event was supported by Ms. Rita Zhao, an eminent TV personality in China and a friend of the Embassy. Counsellor (I&C) , Shri Manish Chauhan coordinated the event. Contestants were judged on, inter alia, the content and of the speech. Prizes were distributed to the top three speech makers.

This opera in Chinese about the life of the ancient Indian Emperor Ashoka, has been produced by the Ningbo Arts & Theatre Company, Ningbo (near Shanghai). The 2 hour DVD film, featuring 45 Chinese artists in Indian costumes and setting, was screened at the Main hall of the new Wing. Audience comprised representatives from Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), People's Daily, MFA, Peking University, Chinese Academy of Arts, etc

A lecture in Chinese on the theory and benefits of Yoga was given by Ms. Lu Yi, a local expert in Yoga who has studied Yoga in India. This was followed by a practical session where many in the audience participated. This was then followed by a brief question and answer session. This attended by an audience of around 40 Chinese from various walks of life.

Prof Liu Jian, a researcher on Indian Dance from the Beijing Dance Academy, gave a power-point presentation (in Chinese)
on the history and types of Indian dances. The presentation included many pictures/videos of performances. Some of the Academy's students also gave brief performances on the major Indian classical dances, which were interspersed in the presentation. An audience of around 50 attended the event.

A book talk was organized on "Smoke & Mirrors" by Ms. Pallavi Aiyar , a resident journalist at the Culture Wing. Ambassador Mrs. Nirupama Rao, was the chief guest at the function. The audience comprised mostly local Chinese from all walks of life. Famous TV anchor Ms. Rita Zhao provided the translation.

"Indian Arts & Crafts" Exhibition (Aug 18 - 22)
An exhibition of Indian Handicrafts was organized at the Cultural Wing from Aug 18 -22. This was courtesy the Indian Cottage Industries & Handicrafts Corporation who had sent select Indian handicraft items for display. The one week exhibition was attended, inter alia, by businessmen interested to obtain a franchise for these products in China.

New Reading Room
The Reading Room of the New Culture Wing was opened to the public in Aug 2008. It now has around 2000 books of which there are 400 books in Chinese (total categories are 50 all concerning different facets of India). The Reading Room also has the latest Indian magazines which are replaced regularly. It also has a small children's section as well as a Hindi Section.

Film Show : Indian Systems of Medicine (Sept 10)
This one-hour DVD, produced by the Dept. of AYUSH , Govt of India, explaining the basics of Indian systems of medicine incl. Yoga/Ayurveda, etc was shown at the main hall of the Wing. The audience also included medical students from Chinese Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences (CACMS).

Reception for Indian contingent for Paralympic Games (Sept 16)
A reception was organized for the Indian contingent of the Paralympic Games. Ambassador made brief opening remarks and gave words of encouragement to the athletes. The athletes also shared their experiences. The local volunteers for the Indian team were also felicitated during the occasion. The occasion also provided an opportunity for invited Chinese journalists to interview some of the athletes.

Initiation of classes by two ICCR teachers
In Sept 2008, Shri Ashok Chakravorty (Kathak teacher) and Shri Bhajantri (Vocal Music & Tabla teacher) joined the Mission from ICCR. The first batch of music and dance students began their training in earnest the same week. The schedule of classes are appended in Appendix I & II. The classes are being conducted regularly.

Gandhi Jayanti celebrations (Oct 2)
To mark the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, Shri BY Bhajantri, Vocalist accompanied by Shri Ashok Chakravorty on Tabla and other Chinese students, sang Gandhiji's favorite songs and bhajans. A documentary film "The Millenium Mahatma" was also screened. India-based members of the Mission along with their families and members of the local Indian community participated in the event and joined in the singing of bhajans.

Indian Carnatic Music performance (Nov 14)
An Indian Carnatic music performance by Mrs. Vidyalakshmi Vaidyanathan was organized at the Culture Wing on Nov 14. The hour long programme, which was keenly attended by many local enthusiasts, provided a brief introduction about this Indian music form to the Chinese audience. A brief write-up on Carnatic music was also distributed during the occasion.

A talk by Ms. Shakuntala Devi, the famous mathematician was organized at the Culture Wing on Nov 22. This was organized with support of the Indian Community in Beijing. Ambassador was chief guest at the occasion. Ms. Shakuntala Devi, inter alia, gave a brief talk on role of ancient India's contribution to the science mathematics.

Embassy organized a reception for delegates to the Prof. Tan Yunshan/ PC Bagchi 110 th birth Anniversary celebrations, who were in Beijing to attend a series of events organized by Peking University/Beijing Foreign Studies University among others. This delegation was led by Prof. Tan Chung and Mrs. Ratna Bagchi, eldest descendents of the two leading figures.
A small cultural performance was organized for the delegation. Culture Wing teacher, Shri Bhajantri led a chorus song recital while Ms. Jin Shanshan, a local Chinese Bharatnatyam dancer, performed a dance piece. The delegates were later felicitated by the Ambassador and DCM Shri Jaideep Mazumdar.

Reception for delegates of India-China Institute delegation (Nov 28)
A 30 member delegation of the India-China Institute , a bilateral group comprising people from both countries visited the Cultural Wing. The delegates witnessed a live Indian music class in session. Ambassador gave a power point presentation regarding India-China relations followed by an interactive session. This was followed by an informal song session where some members gave an impromptu performance including the Ambassador.

Embassy School - Christmas celebrations (Dec 17)
Indian Embassy School organized an event to celebrate Christmas. Chinese Asst. Foreign Minsiter (AFM), Mr Hu Zhengyue visited the Culture Wing for the event. Students of the school as well as the Wing performed two group songs and a dance on the occasion. Chinese AFM was also shown around the Culture Wing by Ambassador. The Minister spent some time in the Reading Room.