Annual   Convention   ( 2007 )

The Annual Convention function of JICA Alumni Association of India for FY 2006-07 was held on February 24, 2007 at the Radisson MBD Hotel, Noida.

His Excellency Mr. Yasukuni Enoki, Ambassador of Japan to India, was the Chief Guest of the function. Mrs. Yasukuni Enoki also graced the occasion. Mr. T. Fujii, Resident Representative, JICA India Office and officials from Embassy of Japan were also present on the occasion.

The function began at 7.30 PM with the arrival of the Chief Guest His Excellency Mr. Yasukuni Enoki. Dr. O.P.Dewal, President, JAAI delivered the welcome address. In his speech Dr. Dewal enumerated various activities of JAAI. He thanked the Embassy of Japan and JICA for their moral and financial support to JAAI.

His Excellency Mr. Enoki addressed the gathering. In his address H.E. Mr. Enoki talked about Indo-Japan Cooperation gaining momentum with the visits of the two Prime Ministers to their counterpart countries. The two leaders recognized the importance of the reinforcement of friendship as well as economic relations between India and Japan and they confirmed further promotion of ‘India-Japan Strategic and Global Partnership’. He also talked about the importance being given to India by Japan, recognition of which is the year 2007 being celebrated as India-Japan Friendship year.  He emphasized upon JAAI’s role in promoting technical and cultural cooperation between the two countries.

The Speaker Mr. C. Rajasekhar, Director (East Asia) from Ministry of External Affairs, who was also the Guest of Honour for the function, delivered his speech on Indo-Japan Cooperation.

Subsequently, ‘Sahyog 2007’ the Annual Magazine of JICA Alumni Association of India was released by His Excellency Mr. Yasukuni Enoki.  ‘Sahyog’ contains not only many interesting articles but also a brief description of the year’s activities.

Mr. T. Fujii, Resident Representative, JICA India Office, briefly described JICA projects being undertaken in India. Finally, he proposed a ‘Toast’ for the progress of Indo-Japan friendship and cooperation.

The programme was followed by the dinner, which acted as a platform for the JAAI members to share their experiences of the JICA training. About 200 persons including JICA ex-participants along with their spouse and Japanese guests attended the function. During the dinner time, His Excellency Mr. Enoki interacted with the JAAI members and listened to the experiences of JICA alumni during their stay in Japan. JAAI members, their spouses and members of Japanese community thoroughly enjoyed the interaction with each other.