36th North Zone Japanese Language Speech Contest: A Glimpse into the Future of India-Japan Ties

New Delhi: The 36th North Zone Japanese Language Speech Contest will be a landmark event that will take place at the prestigious Indian National Science Academy (INSA), Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi. From 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., this unique platform will gather students from institutions across North India, where they will showcase their Japanese language skills, delving into the deep cultural connections between India and Japan.

The registration for nominated participants will start at 1:30 p.m., and all eyes will be on the aspiring contestants as they prepare to present their speeches.

The contest, organized by the Mombusho Scholars Association of India (MOSAI) with support by Embassy of Japan, will aim to encourage the learning and exchange of the Japanese language among students in India. The event will foster a deep understanding of the historical and cultural bonds between the two nations, nurturing a new generation of students passionate about building bridges through language.

Institutions engaged in teaching the Japanese language will be invited to select and nominate up to six students—three each in the Junior and Senior categories—to participate. The deadline for selecting and sending nominations will be September 25, 2024, with final applications closing by October 10, 2024. The speech contest will serve as a unique opportunity for students to not only demonstrate their language proficiency but also to explore the rich and often underappreciated historical ties between India and Japan.

The Legacy of Kizuna India-Japan Study Forum

The Kizuna India-Japan Study Forum, which will co-host the event, will continue its mission to highlight and unravel the relatively lesser-known dimensions of India-Japan cultural ties. Historically shaped by the movement of people and goods via various inter-Asian sea and land routes, these ties will form the basis of research, discussion, and publications spearheaded by the forum.

The forum will trace its origins to the International Conference, India and Japan: Unearthing Lesser Known Historical and Cultural Linkages, held in November 2018 in New Delhi. The conference, which will feature papers and scholarly insights, will lead to the publication of India-Japan Narratives: Lesser Known Historical and Cultural Interactions, edited by Dr. Sushila Narsimhan. The forum’s ongoing work will continue to spark dialogue and research, providing valuable context for the speeches that will be delivered during the upcoming contest.

Advisory Board and Secretariat

An impressive Advisory Board will guide the event and the ongoing work of the Kizuna Forum. Dr. Ashok Jain, President of the Mombusho Scholars’ Association of India (MOSAI), will bring his expertise as a Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, India, to the event. Ambassador Deepa Gopalan Wadhwa, who will serve as President of the India-Japan Friendship Forum, will offer her experience as India’s Ambassador to various countries, further enriching the proceedings.

Esteemed experts like Dr. A. Damodaran from the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, and Dr. Timon Screech, a specialist in Edo Period history, currently at the International Research Center for Japanese Studies in Kyoto, will contribute their knowledge to the forum’s ongoing work. Joining them will be Dr. Martha Chaiklin, an independent historian, Dr. Masumi Igarashi from Okayama University, and Dr. Sushila Narsimhan, a former professor at the University of Delhi.

Dr. Parul Bakshi, a Research Fellow at FSR Global, will serve as the Secretariat for the forum, while Manoj Sharma, General Manager of MOSAI, will ensure smooth coordination for the speech contest.

Preparing for the Contest

In the lead-up to the event, students will immerse themselves in preparation. Ayushi, a talented young student, will be among those who will compete. As she will prepare her speech, she will reflect on the significant historical ties between India and Japan—an interest she will develop after reading India-Japan Narratives. Her speech will aim to explore the connections that have long existed between the two nations, from ancient trade routes to shared cultural exchanges.

On the day of the contest, participants like Ayushi will step onto the stage and will deliver their carefully crafted speeches in front of an esteemed panel of judges and a captivated audience. The audience will include teachers, dignitaries, and language enthusiasts who will witness the promising talents of the next generation.

By the end of the contest, special prizes will be awarded to those who stand out, with students being recognized not only for their language proficiency but also for their understanding of the historical and cultural ties that will bind India and Japan. The 36th North Zone Japanese Language Speech Contest will be remembered as a pivotal event in fostering deeper connections between the two nations, and will continue to inspire future generations to explore the power of language and cultural exchange.