Dr. Mahesh Sharma, the Minister of State (I/C) for Culture and Tourism inaugurated a two days “International Conference on ‘India-Laos: Inter-Cultural Linkages” here today. The Conference has been organised by Indira Gandhi National Centre for Art, New Delhi, in collaboration with Shri Bharatvarshiya Digambar Jain Teerth Sanrakshini Mahasabha, New Delhi.
Delivering inaugural address, Dr. Sharma said that India and Laos share a common cultural heritage over the centuries. Laos is very peaceful land locked country. He said that since trade was the most important factor for the spread of Indian culture, traders’ community who were mostly Jains, have introduced Jainism and worshipped Tirthankars. He wished the International Conference a grand success and hoped that the deliberations of this Conference would have a fresh look on Laotion culture linked with Indian culture.
Many renowned scholars from India and Abroad are participating in this International Conference on ‘India-Laos: Inter-Cultural Linkages”. It has been organised with a view to study the cultural interfaces of India and Laos covering following aspects:- Historical Linkages; Cultural Linkages; Religious Linkages with Special Reference to Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism; Impact of Jainism on Socio-Cultural aspect of Laos; Literature and Epigraphy Linkages; and Linkages Art, Archaeology, Festivals and Textiles.