Celebration of ITEC Day 2022
October 12, 2022Celebration of ITEC Day by Embassy of India, Beirut on 12.10.2022
As a part of on-going activities under the “Azaadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav”, the Embassy of India, Beirut celebrated ITEC Day on 12th October, 2022 at the Pyramids Hall, Coral Beach Hotel & Resorts, Beirut. This year marked the 58 glorious years of Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme.
Development cooperation has always played a central role in India’s foreign policy. Ever since its Independence, India has been committed to remain a steadfast and reliable developmental partner by sharing its own vast development experience of over seven decades. India’s development co-operation and its support to the cause of multilateralism flow from the philosophy of inter-connectedness and interdependence from our philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, “World is One Family”. India’s relations with partner countries are based on the principles of equality, mutual respect for sovereignty and freedom of action and choice. It is not based on competition, conditionalities or prescriptions. It stems from the spirit of solidarity to enhance mutual learning for shared and sustainable growth. India has been in the forefront of capacity building programmes helping several countries across the world to build the capacity of their personnel.
The Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme (ITEC) is a “Flagship Programme”, first commenced in 1964 and has grown in size and scope over these past years. Under the ITEC programme the Government of India provides training courses in various areas tailored to address the needs of developing countries and empower their citizens with not only professional skills, but also with the skills to function in an increasingly globalized world. ITEC is about cooperation and partnership for mutual benefit. ITEC programmes have been increasingly gaining reputation due to the quality training imparted by Indian institutions. Today, the ITEC programme proudly claims to have reached out to more than 200,000 beneficiaries in 160 partner countries. This highlights the primacy of development cooperation and strengthening people to people contacts in India’s foreign policy.
ITEC Programme is an important pillar for bilateral cooperation between India and Lebanon and a number of Lebanese officials over the years have participated in the ITEC training programmes in India.
The Event was attended by a large number of ITEC alumni representing diverse sectors/organizations, including Lebanese Parliament; Internal Security; General Security; various Ministries of Government of Lebanon, and Defence Forces.
The guests of honour included HE Dr. Bilal Abdallah, Member of Parliament; HE Dany Gedeon, DG, Ministry of Industry; HE Louis Lahoud, DG Ministry of Agriculture; HE Lahoud Lahoud, DG, Chief of Protocol of Prime Minister; Mr. Walid Zeineddine, Head of External Affairs and Scholarships at the Ministry of Education & Higher Education; Dr. Hala El Abdallah, Director of Studies at the Ministry of Agriculture; Mr. Hicham Chehab, Directorate of International Organizations, Conferences and International Organizations, Conferences and Cultural Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants.
The formal programme started with playing of national anthems of Lebanon & India. Thereafter, a documentary film providing a brief background on ITEC programme was screened. In his speech Ambassador Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan highlighted the philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”(the world is one family), one of the core philosophies of Indian civilization and stressed upon how the development cooperation has played a pivotal role in the India’s foreign policy and strengthened the people-to-people contacts in India’s foreign policy. He urged various Ministries and government departments to make use of the training programmes available under ITEC. He also stated that depending upon the local requirements; the training programmes can also be tailor-made. HE Dr. Bilal Abdallah, Member of Parliament in his address, acknowledged the ever-strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries. HE Dany Gedeon in his speech highlighted that despite the crisis the volume of imports by Lebanon from India has been hardly affected. Dr. Imane Kamali, President of Elite Centre of Culture and Education also shared her thoughts with the audience. The programme witnessed over 90 attendees. A few ITEC alumni also took to the floor and shared their experiences of their stay and training in India. All were unanimous of their appreciation of the ITEC programme and were grateful to India for providing them a learning opportunity.
The official programme was concluded with a dance performance by a 20-minutes Bharatnatyam dance performance by Mr. Deepesh Hoskere, Dance Teacher from ICCR which left the audience enthralled. The formal programme was followed by a reception.
