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Tuesday, May 13, 2008
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New Delhi

To the land of the rising sun...

Madhur Tankha

54 students selected for trip to Japan

NEW DELHI: For 54 school children embarking on a ten-day trip to Japan, it was an exciting moment at a hotel here on Monday as they were told about the significance of getting a first-hand experience of the Asian island country.

Under the Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths (JENESYS) programme, the large contingent of students from Class IX and XII and six teachers will visit Japan from this Tuesday to May 22 to deepen their understanding of Japanese politics, diplomacy, economy, social and cultural affairs.

CBSE chairman speaks

Speaking on the occasion, Central Board of Secondary Education Chairman Ashok Ganguly described the JENESYS programme as beautiful and said Indian students would get an opportunity to understand how the Japanese have built their nation through sheer dedication and devotion.

Stating that learning begins where textbook ends, Mr. Ganguly said it was a seamless world with a different world order. “We want to empower Indian students so that they can compete in the new global world. The two countries share a commonality as far as respect to elders, hospitality and service to humanity is concerned. I hope all these values would be further strengthened after you return from your trip from Japan.”

‘Learn their culture’

Mr. Ganguly said it was a challenge for students to come out of their comfort zones of home and school and take a trip to a foreign country. “I want you to have a cool mind, maintain discipline and develop strong observatory powers. Try to notice minute details about Japanese culture and learn their language as it would be useful to you when you grow up into an adult.”

Launched in 2007

At the Second East Asia Summit (EAS) last year, the then Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had announced a youth exchange programme through which 6,000 youths from the EAS member States would be visiting Japan each year from 2007 to 2012.

Based on this plan, the Japanese Government had launched the JENESYS programme in 2007. Interestingly, the Indian students would be putting up in Japanese homes so that they could get close and personal with their counterparts.

Students enthusiastic

Anindita Basu, a Class X student of Modern School, Barakhamba Road, says since it will be an important trip and she has religiously gone through various booklets and browsed through the Internet about Japan’s lifestyle and culture. “We have been selected by the CBSE and I hope to write an article about the student exchange programme in my school magazine.”

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