2 days ago
India Day Returns to Trim Castle After Community Attacks
India Day is a celebration of Indian culture and friendship between India and Ireland.
It returned to Trim Castle after being cancelled the year before.
The cancellation followed attacks and angry messages aimed at people in Ireland’s Indian community.
Organisers said the abuse made many people feel afraid.
They also said most hostile phone calls came from the United States.
This year, organisers said there had been no significant violence against the Indian community.
The event included dancing, music, traditional clothes and performances by local artists.
Its return showed that the community wanted to celebrate openly and remain part of Irish life.
India Day returned to Trim Castle in County Meath on Sunday, a year after its cancellation.
The event was cancelled following attacks and hostile messages directed at Ireland’s Indian community.
The Ireland India Council said most hostile phone calls originated in the United States.
Ireland’s Indian community has grown from a few thousand in 2002 to around 80,000.
The celebration featured Indian dance, fashion, music, business discussions and Irish-Indian cultural ties.
- Who
- The Ireland India Council, Ireland’s Indian community and event organisers.
- What
- India Day resumed after a one-year cancellation caused by attacks and hostile messages.
- Where
- Trim Castle in County Meath, Ireland.
- When
- Sunday the 30th, one year after the previous event was cancelled.
- Why
- To celebrate India-Ireland relations and show that fear and intimidation would not erase the community’s presence.
Key facts
- Event organiser
- The Ireland India Council has organised India Day since 2015.
- Previous cancellation
- The event was cancelled the previous year after attacks and hostile communications.
- Reported attack
- A violent attack on a man originally from India in Tallaght, Dublin, was among the incidents cited.
- Hostile calls
- The Ireland India Council said the vast majority originated in the United States.
- Community size
- Ireland’s Indian community is now around 80,000 people, compared with a few thousand in 2002.
- Programme
- The event included Bharatanatyam dance, a fashion show, Indian musicians and local artists.
- Business focus
- Discussions included the EU-India Free Trade Agreement and opportunities for Irish businesses.
Quotes
Prashant Shukla
Co-chairman of the Ireland India Council
“This is something I can be proud of in the Irish system. In many countries, violence has happened against the Indian community, but no country in the world actually tackled it the way Ireland tackled it.”
easterneye.biz
“Culture creates understanding and understanding builds relationships. I may be biased because I’m from India, but I feel India is like a cultural capital of the world.”
easterneye.biz
Sources
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