India has unveiled year-long activities and programmes for its Year of India in Canada with the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Carleton University to fund an India Chair at the university's Canada-India Centre for Excellence in Science, Technology, Trade and Policy. The Year of India in Canada will start on March 4 with cultural performances. Under the MoU, the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) will establish a Visiting Chair focused on India-related studies at Ottawa's Carleton University, according to Indian High Commissioner S.M. Gavai who signed the MoU with Carleton president Roseann O'Reilly Runte on Monday. “The government of India will fund the Chair for ten years. Though the amount has not been quantified, our government will pay its expenses,'' said India deputy high commissioner Narinder Chauhan. Thanking India for its gesture, Roseann O'Reilly Runte said, “We are most grateful to the Indian government. This generous contribution will make Carleton's centre a unique resource for the university, the community and our country. '' After launching its Canada-India Centre of Excellence in Science, Technology, Trade and Policy in February last year, Carleton now becomes the first Canadian university to have a full-fledged India Chair. The Canada-India Centre of Excellence in Science, Technology, Trade and Policy is aimed at bringing together members of the academic, business and public policy communities in both countries to provide cutting-edge research, analysis, training and exchanges.
