Maison
de l'Inde is more than just a residence for academic scholars.
It serves as a symbol of India in one of the greatest centres
of the world - a home away from home. Maison de l'Inde (India
House) is a part of the "Cité Internationale Universitaire
de Paris" (CIUP) located in the calm and beautiful part of
southern Paris.
The
Cité Internationale has 37 such houses divided into two categories.
The houses of the first category are called " rattachées "
(attached) which are administered and maintained by the Council
of the Cité with certain autonomy depending upon
the contribution of the respective countries. The houses of
the second category are called 'non rattachées' (non-attached)
which are autonomous, yet respectful to the rules and regulations
of the Cité and the governement of France. The countries which
have built such houses pay grants/subsidies for their maintainance
and renovation. There are fourteen attached houses and twenty
three non attached houses. Maison de l'Inde falls in the non-attached
category.
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The
Cité internationale was set up in 1925 with the objectives
of promoting institutional relationship with different
countries, providing accomodation to students, researchers,
visiting professors and cultural represntatives of foreign
countries at a modest price and at the best possible living
conditions, creating an international atmosphere in the
Cité (there are about 5500 residents from 130 countries
on the campus), promoting intercultural dialogue, respect
for cultural diversity and practising a 'culture of peace'.
It is dedicated to the idea of unity in diversity of mankind,
to make the residents aware of the richness of the cultures
of the world and of the need for intercultural appreciation
and understanding. |
The
Government of India found an excellent opportunity to meet
its own aspirations of academic cooperation and to expose
its cultural heritage to the international community of the
Cité. It approached the French authorities to build the Maison
de l'Inde with the following missions :
1.
To provide modest but reasonably comfortable accomodation
to its academic and cultural scholars in association with
their foreign counterparts.
2. To expose to the international community its spiritual
and secular values.
3. To create an awareness among the international community
of its rich heritage.
4. To promote international solidarity and understanding and
finally,
5. To work closely with the ideals of the Cité Internationale
based on the principles of equality, justice, fraternity and
freedom, the pillars of the Constitution of the Republic of
India and that of the French Republic.
| The
Director, Mr. Sanyal addressing the
audience in a ceremony |
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The
then Ambassador signed the gift deed of the Maison de l'Inde
to the University of Paris on 17th June 1960 : the late Professor
Humayun Kabir, the then Minister of Scientific Research and
Cultural Affairs laid the foundation stone on the same day.
The Maison started functioning in 1967 (but officially opened
on the 6th of June 1968) with 104 single rooms fitted with
modest facilities.
The
members of the Governing Board of Maison de l'Inde are:
Mr.
S.E Ranjan MATHAI
The
Ambassador of India to France
|
Chairperson (Ex-Officio) |
Mr.
Patrick GERARD
Rector
of Academy, Chancellor of Universities of Paris
|
Member
(Ex-Officio) |
Mr.
Marcel POCHARD
President
of the National Foundation, CIUP
|
Member
(Ex-Officio) |
Ms.
Sylviane TARSOT-GILLERY
Délégué
Général, National Foundation, CIUP
|
Member
(Ex-Officio)
|
Mr.
Mohan KUMAR
Deputy
Chief of Mission, Embassy of India, Paris
|
Member
(Ex-Officio)
|
Mr.
Vimal KHOSLA
Retired
Engineer
|
Member |
| |
Member |
| |
Member |
Mr.
Jacques FRIEDMANN
Honorary
Inspector General of Finance, Republic of France
|
Member |
Mr.
Suman MODWEL
Professor
and Director of Research ENPC
School of International Management,
Paris
|
Member |
Mr.
Ramesh N MULYE
President,
Business Promotion Services and Advisor for France
for Confederation of Indian Industries
|
Member |
The
Personel at Maison de l'Inde:
| Mr
Bikas C SANYAL |
Director |
| Mrs.
Priti SANYAL |
Cultural
Attachée |
| Ms.
Davemala BOULAHYA |
Econome |
| Ms.
Anne SIRAND |
Secretary |
| Ms.
Isaura SIMONNET |
Receptionist |
| Mr.
Jahangir HUSSAIN |
Caretaker |
 |
Visiting
Celebrities
Mr.
Naseeruddin Shah, a popular bollywood and threatre actor of international fame.
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