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Ivan Zhakata Herald Correspondent
Zimbabwe and India have a relationship that exceeds the limits of political and economic convenience, hence the two countries are in solid fraternity, Deputy Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Kindness Paradza said this week.
Speaking at the Namaste Zimbabwe, India Cultural Festival as part of the 75th independence anniversary of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav commemoration, Deputy minister Paradza said the two countries had a relationship built on a shared history and cherished bilateral experiences.
The event was an initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of independence and the history of its people, culture and achievements.
“This explains the Ministry of Information Publicity and Broadcasting Services participation at this momentous edition of Namaste Zimbabwe which is predicated on the 75th anniversary of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav,” Deputy Minister Paradza said.
There were no differences between Zimbabwe and India’s ideals and cardinal values.
Deputy minister Paradza said the two countries had the conscious conviction of enhancing the value chains of industry and commerce.
“This has been expressed in the prominent “Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo” (a country is developed by its citizens) policy enunciated by our President Cde Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa. Tonight’s gathering affirms the need to strengthen cooperation between our sister nations.
“From an Information and Publicity standpoint, India at present has 1 000 TV channels broadcasting in 20 languages, 200 of which disseminate educational and entertainment content, with 12 channels dedicated for each school grade and it is important that Zimbabwe taps into this experience.
“India also has 160 community radio stations with a 20km broadcasting radius each.”
India had a 113-year-old film Industry and was now the post-production hub of the world and as such, Zimbabwe was compelled by India’s experiential character, to draw lessons of retooling the media sector.
India’s ambassador to Zimbabwe Vijay Khanduja said the cultural exchange visits by the Zimbabwean people to India and the Indian projects being done in Zimbabwe deepened the two countries relations.
“These visits and projects have given a new momentum to the bilateral relationship and we must endeavour to capitalise on these initiatives to make the relationship more broad-based,” he said.
“From the lines of credit of almost US$500 million extended by Government of India, the work on the Deka Water Pumping Station and pipeline is going on apace and is scheduled for completion by March 2023.
From the other two lines of credit, the refurbishment of Hwange Thermal had been submitted while the contract for Bulawayo Thermal Power Plant refurbishment had also been signed with work expected to start soon.
Online Reporter