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‘France in Manipal’ festival begins

Manipal: The two-day ‘France in Manipal’ festival got off to a colourful start here on Friday. It featured the “French food festival” and the “French film festival” and the inaugural function was organised at three places, simultaneously.

It almost brought France to Manipal. The festival has been organised by the Embassy of France, in association with Manipal University. It aims at showcasing culture, science and technology, business and higher education through cultural shows, presentations, and lectures.

The festival was inaugurated by the Attaché for University Co-operation, Embassy of France in India, Philippe Martineau. Mr. Martineau and Vice Chancellor of Manipal University Rajasekharan Warrier unveiled the logo of the festival. A recorded message of the Ambassador of France in India was played on the occasion. Ambassador Mr. Jérôme Bonnafont urged the Indian students to consider France as a destination for higher studies. Although language could be a barrier, it could be overcome. France had some of the best institutions. India was developing rapidly and was one of the leading economies, he said expressing the hopes that the festival would become an annual feature in Manipal.

Prof. Rajasekharan Warrier said that Indians were doing well in English speaking countries. France was a wonderful country with great culture and food. Nearly 50,000 Indian students were applying for visa to the U.S. Even Australia had emerged as a favoured destination among the students.

France had a lot of catching up to do in attracting Indian students. Students and their parents should select the future destination for education abroad carefully, he said.

Scientific Attaché Bruno Rouot, Economic Counsellor Jean-Louis Poli, Joint Director of Manipal Institute of Technology P.K.A. Muneeshwaran, Deputy Registrar of Manipal University T. Ranga Pai and Archana Choudhary were present.

Briefing presspersons about food festival, chef Alian Andre said that 25 French cuisines, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian, would be on display. The choicest of French wine would be served with the food.

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