インディアメーラ15周年に寄せて

神戸のインディアメーラ15周年にあたり、主催者の皆さま、3つのインド人コミュニティ団体、ボランティア、アーティスト、ご来場の皆さま、そして関西のインドを愛する友人の皆さまに、心よりお祝いのご挨拶をお送りできることを大変うれしく思います。

16年前の2010年、私が在大阪・神戸インド総領事を務める栄誉にあずかっていた頃、大規模な一般向けの祭典を通じてインドを関西の人々にもっと身近に感じてもらおうという構想が形になりました。音楽、ダンス、料理、手工芸品、色彩、そして何よりインドの人々を通じて、インドの豊かさと多様性を体験できる場をつくりたいと考えたのです。こうしてインディア メーラは誕生しました。

しかし、アイデアはそれを前に進める人々があってこそ生きるものです。インディアメーラが実現したのは、3つのインド人コミュニティ団体、在日本印度商業会議所（The Indian Chamber of Commerce-Japan）、インドクラブ（The India Club）、インディアン・ソーシャル・ソサエティ（The Indian Social Society） の惜しみない支援があったからです。彼らはこの構想を自らのものとして受け止め、運営し継続していく責任を担ってくれました。その献身によって、総領事館の一つの取り組みが、真にコミュニティ主導の祭典へと生まれ変わったのです。

ワンワールドジャパン株式会社（One World Japan Co., Ltd.） の多大なご支援、そして歴代の在大阪・神戸インド総領事の励ましと後援も、長年にわたりメーラを支えるうえで欠かせないものでした。そして何より、数えきれないアーティストやボランティアの皆さまの献身が、その精神を守り続けてきました。

インディアメーラの成功は、インドと日本の素晴らしい友好関係を映し出すものです。両国の関係は歴史と相互の敬意・信頼に根ざしていますが、その最大の強みは、人と人との温かなつながりにあります。インディアメーラは、関西に暮らすインド人が日本の友人たちと自らの文化遺産を分かち合い、日本の皆さまがインドの驚くべき多様性に出会うための、素晴らしい場となってきました。

ですから、インディアメーラは単なる文化祭をはるかに超えるものです。それは友情を祝う場であり、両国の人々をつなぐ架け橋なのです。 ひとつひとつのパフォーマンス、共にする食事、交わされる会話のすべてが、その架け橋をより強くしていきます。

この素晴らしい歩みの始まりに立ち会えたことを光栄に思います。インディアメーラがこれからも末永く栄え、友情と祝福と相互理解のうちに、インドと日本の人々を結び続けていくことを願ってやみません。

ヴィカース・スワループ
元在大阪・神戸インド総領事（2009〜2013年）

This year, India Mela celebrates its 15th anniversary.
Looking back to 2010, fifteen years ago, then Consul General of India in Osaka-Kobe Mr. Swarup, working together with Kobe’s Indian Society, planned an event to introduce Indian culture, cuisine, music, dance and more throughout the Meriken Park area, and asked Hyogo Prefecture for its cooperation. That was the first India Mela I attended.

Thanks to the outstanding leadership of Consul General Swarup, who was also an acclaimed author, the event featured, despite a short preparation period, stage ceremonies and performances (dance, song, classical dance and more), a bazaar of Indian clothing, accessories and food products, Indian restaurant booths, and participatory activities such as yoga and music.

More than 50,000 people gathered over the two days, and at its peak, attendance once exceeded 200,000.
Even today, it remains a festival enjoyed by over 100,000 people.

I have attended almost every year, not merely to deliver greetings, but to experience Indian culture and customs firsthand.
Each time, I am struck by how vast, complex and diverse India is.

Kobe has long been home to an Indian community, whose members play active roles as citizens of Kobe, particularly in trade.
This is because Kobe and Hyogo have served as Japan’s window to the world since the beginning of the Meiji era.

Today, Hyogo Prefecture and the State of Gujarat have a friendship agreement and engage in mutual exchange.

I sincerely hope that this 15th anniversary will serve as an opportunity to further promote exchange between India and Japan, and between the regions of India and Hyogo/Kobe, especially Gujarat, and that India Mela will continue to grow and thrive.

Toshizo Ido
(Former Governor of Hyogo Prefecture)

My heartfelt congratulations on the 15th anniversary of India Mela!
I would also like to express my deep gratitude and respect to everyone who has woven this wonderful event together up to this day.

Today, Indian cultural events are flourishing all across Japan, but it was here in Kobe that the pioneer was born. From the event management team of the very first Mela, who forged a path from nothing, onward, the 15-year journey has faced countless difficulties, including funding, operations, securing a venue, and coordinating with government authorities.

I have been involved in supporting the event’s operations since 2016, and no matter what hardship arose, what kept burning in the hearts of everyone involved was a passionate conviction.

“To connect the culture of Kobe with the culture of India, and to spread a love of India from Kobe to all of Japan.”
— I believe this strong aspiration was the driving force that overcame every obstacle.

Twenty years ago, I became convinced that “India will one day be a great power leading the world.” I founded the Japan-India Friendship League of Kobe City Council Members in the Kobe City Council, and have worked ever since for Kobe to become a standard-bearer of Japan-India friendship. One of the fruits of that effort was the signing of a Letter of Intent on economic exchange with the City of Ahmedabad.

I extend my deep thanks to the members of the Indian community in Kobe, beginning with Mr. Toorabally, who have supported this journey, to the successive Consuls General of India in Osaka-Kobe, and to everyone involved at the City of Kobe.

I sincerely hope that this major 15th-anniversary milestone will become “a day of new pledges,” on which the citizens of Kobe, the Indian community in Kobe, the Consulate General, and the City of Kobe join hands even more firmly and take a great leap toward the future.

Congratulations on your 15th anniversary!

Former Chairman, Kobe City Council
Founding President, Japan-India Friendship League of Kobe City Council Members
Toshihiko Yasui