ICCR Day brings global stage to DU

New Delhi: A Tajikistan student striking precise Bharatanatyam poses, an Egyptian swaying to the beats of bhangra, and a Mexican performer attempting the intricate movements of Odissi -- the stage at Delhi University on Thursday offered a striking glimpse of cultural exchange in motion.

Zoom out, and the lawns outside the Sir Shankar Lal Concert Hall at University of Delhi, North Campus, are filled with colour and chatter, as students from across continents gather to celebrate the 77th Foundation Day of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).

Nearly 700 international students enrolled at DU -- from Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Russia, Iran and several others — attended the event.

Many were in the attire of their home countries, while others had donned Indian costumes for performances. Diplomats of several of nations were present.

The programme featured performances. International students presented dance and music forms of various Indian states. “From classical to folk, the performances reflected not just training, but a deeper engagement with Indian cultural traditions by students who have come to study in the country under ICCR scholarships,” said K. Nandini Singla, director-general of ICCR.

The scholarship programme, administered by the ministry of education, enables foreign students to pursue undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral studies in Indian institutions. It is one of India’s key cultural diplomacy initiatives, aimed at strengthening ties with other countries.

Officials said that currently over 8,000 students from different countries are studying in 134 higher education institutions across India, funded by the ICCR scholarships. In the previous academic year alone, around 4,000 scholarships were awarded to international students across disciplines.

Beyond academic exchange, ICCR also facilitates cultural engagement by encouraging students to learn Indian art forms such as classical dance, music and yoga. The council regularly organises cultural festivals, performances, and workshops, both within India and abroad, as part of its mandate to promote Indian culture globally. It also works closely with the Indian diaspora and coordinates cultural outreach through Indian cultural centres in various countries.

Aditya Shah, an ICCR scholarship holder from Bangladesh, pursuing a PhD at Delhi University, said, “I came here for my PhD, but India has started feeling like a second home. Through ICCR, it’s not just about academics -- we also get to experience the culture closely, which has been the most memorable part for me.”

The event was attended by LG Taranjit Singh Sandhu as chief guest and university dean of colleges, Balaram Pani.