‘Little India in Bahrain’ project opens on Saturday

The ‘Little India in Bahrain’ project, organised by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA), in association with the Indian Embassy and Samskrithi Bahrain, will be launched on Saturday. This was announced at a press conference on the Hindu temple premises here yesterday. 

As part of the project, historical areas in Manama Souq are being beautified and made to be one of the top attractions in the country for Bahraini and expatriate residents as well as tourists from all over the world. 

The opening event on Saturday will see the participation of BACA President Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, Minister of Foreign Affairs Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Indian Ambassador Alok Kumar Sinha, several Indian religious and community figures, invited guests as well as members of the public. 

Speaking at the press conference, Indian Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Ram Singh praised Bahrain’s openness to other religions and cultures. “Bahraini society is very open. This project highlights this openness. This is not the end, this is only the beginning. Little India in Bahrain is not a one-day programme, it will be a process which will continue,” he said. 

Echoing a similar view, Little India in Bahrain Project Director Frances Stafford said:  “There is a lot of excitement in the air. The Indian community members have interacted and worked with us for the project. They have been tantamount in helping me get in touch with people in the Souq. In the launch event, we want to show how there is so much of cultural activity in the Indian community in Bahrain. We are not bringing people from outside for any of the cultural shows, we want to showcase what we already have in Bahrain,” he said.

A documentary about the Indian community will be unveiled at the event. “We have a documentary that is being finalised about the Indian community and the Little India project. It will feature stories of the Indian community members, who have been here for many generations,” he said.