The Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Cultural Co-operation (MGICC) has moved its base from Caroni to Chaguanas. This development was described by Malay Mishra, the Indian High Commissioner to T&T as a key move in bringing the benefits of Indian culture closer to the heart of T&T. Mishra was at the time addressing the start of a dance recital featuring Rahul Acharya, a renowned Odissi dancer from India, on Wednesday night at the institute's new headquarters in The Plaza De Montrose, Chaguanas. Mishra said cultural relations between T&T and India go as far back as 1968 when both countries signed a cultural agreement. He said in 1994 land at Mt Hope was given to the Indian Government for the establishment of a cultural centre.
The High Commissioner said in 1997 the MGICC was established in a bungalow near the Caroni (1975) Limited rum distillery in Kelly Village. He said for the past 15 years the Caroni venue had served well, but the MGICC has outgrown the facility because of increasing demands from the population of T&T to learn more about Indian culture. Mishra said the move to Chaguanas would facilitate more training while the Government of India seeks to commence the centre at Mt Hope. He said plans for a permanent home of the MGICC at Mt Hope has been approved and he estimates that the facility would take two years to complete.
Mishra said the MGICC has also established outreach centres in various parts of Trinidad and also in Tobago and Grenada. Chaguanas Mayor Orlando Nagessar welcomed the move by the MGICC to set up shop in the borough and offer many of its training programmes in music and dance to burgesses and the wider community. Nagessar also heaped praise on Mishra for being one of the most proactive High Commissioners in T&T, who he said had a genuine interest in assisting the development of T&T. Nagessar described Mishra as a diplomat who has served the government of India well.
