10 day "Indian tradition and culture" workshop

Gangtok , Sikkim : A 10-day workshop on "Indian tradition and culture" began at Janata Bhawan here today. Over 120 participants from across the country are taking part in the workshop.

The workshop includes creative teachings, regional contribution to Indian culture, learning of traditional crafts and culture, role of crafts and crafts person in society, glimpses of natural and cultural heritage of North-east with special reference to Sikkim, introduction to CCRT activities, heritage of dance and final evaluation. "Sikkim is like tri-color where we find green in base, white in the mountains and red/yellow during sunrise and sunset," said Mr SD Dhakal, joint secretary, cultural affairs and heritage department. "It is a small state in the country with 11 languages which reflects unity in diversity," he added. Speaking on the occasion, Gangtok MLA Mr NK Pradhan, said: "People from all parts of the country stay in Sikkim. The state is a mini India. Sikkim is known for its varied tradition and culture and we are developing in all aspect to preserve it because our identity is our culture."

The national level workshop is being organized by Center for Cultural Resources and Training, New Delhi, in collaboration with the state cultural affairs and heritage Department. Addressing the workshop, speakers said that the national policy on Education of 1986 states that the basic emphasis in interlinking education and culture should be on helping a child to discover his/her talent and to express their creativity which can be achieved through participatory process. "Handicrafts is the index of our rich cultural heritage, which serves to satisfy the aesthetic needs of the human being and provide a vehicle for self-expression. The real significance of handicrafts lies in the newness and surprise of each object," they said.

Source: The Statesman