RIYADH: The Indian Consulate in Jeddah, in association with the Saudi Indian Business Network, hosted an event to taste tea from Indian tea gardens of various provinces.
Consul General Mohammad Shahid Alam inaugurated the event amid a garden setting decorated with Indian themes by the Red Sea. He spoke about the strong relationship between Saudi Arabia and India.
Four teas — Assam, Darjeeling, Nilgiri and Kashmiri pink tea — were served while guests watched cultural programs from the provinces of Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Kashmir. The Kashmiri pink tea, with its distinct flavor and unique color, was particularly appreciated.
The event was attended by friends of India from the government, media, business and other walks, celebrating the warm 75 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh is co-hosting the 10th edition of the Ambassador’s Choice — International Film Festival from Nov. 24 to Dec. 16, along with 13 other embassies: Algeria, Australia, Bangladesh, Cuba, France, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Norway, the Philippines, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan and the US.
The festival was inaugurated by chief guest Meshal Al-Saleh, director of the Asia region at the Saudi Ministry of Culture, along with Indian Charge d’Affaires M. R. Sajeev and the ambassadors and representatives of the participating embassies.
During his address, Sajeev thanked the embassies and Saudi authorities for their collaboration.
He said Indian cinema is producing more than 2,000 films annually, and although Saudi cinema is a nascent industry, it already has a strong global presence, having produced many excellent films in recent years.
The festival will screen 14 movies of diverse genres, including many acclaimed ones such as “Shams Al-Ma’arif”, “Bareilly Ki Barfi”, “Frida”, “Un Cuento Chino”, “The Sapphires”, “Habanastation”, “You’ll Die at Twenty”, “Hope”, “Delicieux”, “Bar Boys Hasina”, “A Daughter’s Tale”, “CODA”, “Heliopolis” and “The Newspaper.”
The festival is part of the commemoration of 75 years of India’s independence, which also coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia.
