JAAI Convention 2008

The JAAI Convention 2008 was held at Clarion Collection, The Qutab (Hotel), New Delhi on March 15, 2008 (Saturday). The function began at 7.30 PM with the arrival of the Chief Guest, His Excellency Mr. Hideaki Domichi, Ambassador of Japan to India.

Mr. R.K. Jaiswal, JAAI Secretary, welcomed the chief guest, H. E. Mr. Domichi, who assumed charge as the new Ambassador of Japan to India, the Guest of Honour Mr. Arjun Asrani, former Indian Ambassador to Japan, Mr. T. Fujii, Resident Representative, JICA India Office, officials from the embassy of Japan and JICA India Office, the JAAI members and their families present on the occasion.

Mr. M.Z. Khan, Vice-President JAAI, delivered the welcome address. In his speech Mr. Khan enumerated various activities of JAAI. He thanked the Embassy of Japan and JICA for their moral and financial support to JAAI.

His Excellency Mr. Hideaki Domichi, Ambassador of Japanto India, addressed the gathering. He expressed that Indo-Japan cooperation has strengthened. Many high profile political and business delegations have been visiting India and their outcomes have been positive. He also re-iterated the strong ties between the cultures of the two nations since ancient times. The Chief Guest emphasized upon the important role played by JICA Alumni Association in promoting technical & cultural co-operation between the two countries. He congratulated Dr. M.M. Singh, former president & founder member of JAAI, on being conferred the award, ‘Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette’ by His Majesty Akihito, Emperor of Japan, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to strengthen the friendly relation between India and Japan through multifarious activities of JAAI.

Mr. R.K. Jaiswal, JAAI Secretary, welcomed the chief guest, H. E. Mr. Domichi, who assumed charge as the new Ambassador of Japan to India, the Guest of Honour Mr. Arjun Asrani, former Indian Ambassador to Japan, Mr. T. Fujii, Resident Representative, JICA India Office, officials from the embassy of Japan and JICA India Office, the JAAI members and their families present on the occasion.

Sri Arjun Asrani, former Indian Ambassador to Japan and the Guest of Honour at today’s function, delivered his speech on India-Japan Economic relations. He took the audience through various phases of India-Japan relations enumerating several interesting instances.

Dr. M.M. Singh, former president & founder member of JAAI, thanked all for the award, ‘Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette’ conferred on him by His Majesty Akihito, Emperor of Japan. During his speech he took the audience through different stages of JAAI and elaborated upon its working.

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 JICA ex-participants and their spouses and many Japanese guests attended the function. H. E. Mr. Domichi 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 enjoyed the interaction with each other.