News from Culture in Hannover

Hannover continues to attract world-class artists. We were delighted to welcome again the internationally renowned opera singer and multitalented artist Shanul Sharma. His powerful performance in the opera “Satyagraha”, conveying a message of peace, mesmerized thousands. Shanul continues to praise Hannover – the international city – and the warm welcome he received here. Many thanks and always a warm welcome, dear Shanul!

News from Culture in Hannover

Such highly successful events continue to add prestige to Hannover as a UNESCO City of Music, Theatre, and Arts. Despite all challenges, the 5th edition of the Arabisches Theatertreffen Hannover is taking place with great joy. I was delighted to be part of the inauguration alongside renowned artists such as Ahmed Ezzat Elalfy from Egypt/Abu Dhabi and Prof. Khalid Amine from Morocco. I was particularly pleased to meet Prof. Amine, President of the International Centre for Performance Studies (ICPS) in Tangier. Having visited Tangier several times, I can say with great confidence that it is a special region that supports arts and artists like few others. A big thank you to Sabine Trötschel and the team from Pavillon for the excellent organization and coordination.

News from Culture in Hannover

80 years ago, on April 10, 1945, the Ahlem concentration camp was liberated by soldiers of the 84th Infantry Division of the US Army. To mark this occasion, the working group “Bürger gestalten ein Mahnmal” invited people to a memorial event.

It was a deeply moving event attended by the Hon. Consul General of the United States of America, the Minister for the Interior of Lower Saxony, the Lord Mayor of Hannover, and the Vice President of Region Hannover. I am particularly grateful for the presence and powerful speech of living witness Ruth Gröne. A key part of the event was the remembrance by the school students. Such events are extremely important and a central part of the slogan “NEVER AGAIN, NEVER FORGET.”

News from Culture in Hannover

80 years ago, on April 10, 1945, the Ahlem concentration camp was liberated by soldiers of the 84th Infantry Division of the US Army. To mark this occasion, the working group “Bürger gestalten ein Mahnmal” invited people to a memorial event.

It was a deeply moving event attended by the Hon. Consul General of the United States of America, the Minister for the Interior of Lower Saxony, the Lord Mayor of Hannover, and the Vice President of Region Hannover. I am particularly grateful for the presence and powerful speech of living witness Ruth Gröne. A key part of the event was the remembrance by the school students. Such events are extremely important and a central part of the slogan “NEVER AGAIN, NEVER FORGET.”

News from Culture in Hannover

Hannover is not only an international city but also a city of all faiths and religions, living side by side and promoting peace. I was delighted to be invited by Rebbetzin Shterna Wolff, Director of the Jewish Center Chabad Lubawitsch Niedersachsen e.V., on the occasion of the Passover festival. I was particularly impressed by the new projects promoting religious harmony among schoolchildren and the construction of a new playground for children.

News from Culture in Hannover

Hannover Messe and Sprengel Museum: The Hannover Messe will be inaugurated on March 30th, with Canada as this year's partner. Hannover is an international city. One of the landmarks of international quality is the Sprengel Museum. Thanks to a strong team led by Director Reinhard Spieler, the Sprengel Museum continues to host the best of art and cultural works. A special welcome to international visitors to explore the Sprengel Museum and its impressive collection of artworks.

News from Culture in Hannover

On March 15, an event was organized by the Ezedische Akademie e.V., where several representatives of Syrian diversity – including Assyrians (Christians), Yezidis, Druze, Alevis, and Sunnis – discussed the situation in Syria. The event in Hanover was held in cooperation with the House of Religions. More than 100 personalities and organizations were invited to the meeting. Together, they agreed to stand up for a democratic, secular, and pluralistic Syria.

News from Culture in Hannover

Finissage of the exhibition "Folge der Hand" at the Kunstraum Friesenstraße. An impressive show featuring very different perspectives on the genre of drawing. Among those featured were Gabriele Regiert, Cy Twombly, David Hockney, and others. It's fantastic that art enthusiasts like Gisela Sperling organize something like this in Hannover!

News from Culture in Hannover

Opening of the exhibition "#Challenging Democracy – From Helmut Schmidt to Today" in Hanover. It highlights Schmidt's legacy and the challenges of democracy – then and now.
Helmut Schmidt, Chancellor from 1974 to 1982, shaped Germany through astute crisis management, economic stability policies, and as a committed Social Democrat. His dedication to Europe and his firm stance in difficult times continue to resonate today.
The exhibition runs until April 17, 2025, at the Ada and Theodor Lessing Adult Education Center in Hanover – admission is free!

News from Culture in Hannover

Highlights this evening at the Sprengel Museum: A major retrospective of Grethe Jürgens. What a life's work from a woman artist in a male-dominated art era! In the Insight Hall, the Atlantic buoy by Julius von Bismarck swings, surrounded by the "Books Tower Studio" by Tobias Putrih, a large installation for active participation. Children will discover a new adventure playground in the installation "Mimese (futsch)" by Lotte Lindner and Till Steinbrenner. The Sprengel FRIENDS will soon use a kiosk installation by Sprengel Prize winner Sven-Julien Kanclerski as an action platform for the museum and its supporters.

News from Culture in Hannover

On February 12, 2025, local newspapers HAZ and Neue Presse featured an article highlighting the vital role of the Indian Association Hannover in fostering community and promoting cultural integration within Germany. The association, led by Dr. Bala Ramani, celebrates its 15th anniversary this year with several public events, including a Yoga session in Maschpark and the vibrant Holi Festival. Dr. Ramani, a well-known figure in both the Indian and German communities, continues to build bridges through his leadership.

News from Culture in Hannover

On the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, we remember the man who stood for peace, non-violence, and equality. His fight against colonialism and injustice continues to inspire millions worldwide. Yet, today, we see the rise of racism, right-wing extremism, and hate, which starkly contradict the values he lived and died for.
Now more than ever, we must embrace his teachings of tolerance, dialogue, and unity. Let us challenge every form of injustice, stand up against oppression, and strive to create a world where every individual is treated with dignity and respect—just as Gandhi envisioned.

News from Culture in Hannover

Commemoration of the Deportations from Hanover to Riga – Remembering the Victims
In the past few days, I had the privilege of attending three moving memorial events that commemorated the deportations of Jewish women, men, and children from Hanover. Between November 1941 and October 1944, over 1,000 people from Hanover, most of them Jews, were deported to ghettos and concentration camps such as Riga. Many of them were murdered.
December 15th marks the anniversary of the first deportation from Hanover to Riga. These deportations represent countless personal fates. Each of the events highlighted different aspects of this history and emphasized how important it is to make the individual suffering behind the numbers visible.

News from Culture in Hannover

At the ISK sports festival, I experienced firsthand how sports and club culture support integration. Over 300 participants explored the variety of local sports clubs. For many migrants, accessing club life can be difficult, but ISK breaks down these barriers. Direct contact and active participation not only promote access to sports but also enhance language skills and integration.
You can read the full interview here.

News from Culture in Hannover

Thank you @Dr. Gisela Sperling
Yesterday we explored the fascinating work of Jakob Mattner at Kunstraum Friesenstraße. For over 50 years, the Berlin-based artist has been deeply engaged with the interplay of light and darkness in both his paintings and sculptures. Particularly striking are his glass-light sculptures and his poetic works that depict the transformation of light into matter through plants, connecting the present with the distant past.

News from Culture in Hannover

It was an honor to recognize Traute Petershagen and Christoph Sure for their immense support of the Indian Association Hannover during the organization of cultural performances at the International Fireworks Competition on 17.08.2024 in Hannover. Thanks to their dedication and help, the Indian Association Hannover, as the exclusive partner for the cultural performances, was able to captivate the audience with a stunning array of performances.

News from Culture in Hannover

Today, the Förderverein Lister Turm held its Annual General Assembly and board election. I would like to thank the members and my fellow board members for their continued trust. I’m happy to lead the team alongside Birgit, Maybritt, Katja, Felix, Carsten, and Walter. The Förderverein remains true to its mission and mandate, continuing to support the Stadtteilzentrum Lister Turm in its activities focused on promoting democracy, children’s and women’s programs, and sports activities in the Eilenriede.

News from Culture in Hannover

Honoring the Legacy of Mahatma Gandhi on His Birthday 

Yesterday, we reflect on the timeless wisdom of Bapuji, who showed the world that no form of violence can ever justify the road to peace. His message was simple, yet profound: peace must be born from peace, not from force.

Verbal abuse, whether towards children, women, or any individual, is also a form of violence—often underestimated, but no less harmful than physical violence. It's a reminder that we must work to eradicate all forms of aggression from our society, starting with the way we speak and act toward each other.

Gandhi believed that violence can never be a solution, and this belief continues to guide us today as we strive to build a world where lasting peace is possible.

Let's honor Bapuji's vision by committing to non-violence in all forms—physical, verbal, and emotional. 🌍✌️

News from Culture in Hannover

A breathtaking performance by Jacques Forestier, 19 years old from Canada, with whom I had the opportunity to interact after the event. He, along with Angela Chan, is the winner of the highly prestigious and internationally recognized Joseph Joachim Violin Competition 2024, supported and organized by Stiftung Niedersachsen. Niedersachsen and Hannover are at the forefront of the world in the quality of their cultural programs.

News from Culture in Hannover

A first of its kind in Hannover: History of Hannover in a bite-sized format. The opening of the Hannover Kiosk – a compact, modern place where children, new citizens, and even long-time residents can learn new and rare details about the city. Congratulations, Hannover!

News from Culture in Hannover

An excellent choice for the renowned Kurt Schwitters Prize 2024 by the Niedersächsische Sparkassenstiftung: nature artist JOAR NANGO from Norway. Congratulations!

News from Culture in Hannover

Hearty congratulations to the Volunteer Center Hannover on its 25th anniversary! A big thank you and much respect to Almut Maldfeld and Elisabeth Lindenberg, representatives of the team and board, for their selfless volunteer work in Hannover. Wishing you continued success for the next 25 years.

News from Culture in Hannover

Yesterday we gathered to commemorate the courage of Jina Mahsa Amini and all the freedom fighters in Iran. Their striving for justice and freedom is also our striving. Together we stand in solidarity for human rights, freedom and dignity! 

News from Culture in Hannover

Yesterday, I had the honor of attending the rehearsal of "Satyagraha" at Staatsoper Hannover, an inspiring opera that beautifully embodies the principles of truth (Satya) and non-violence, as preached by Mahatma Gandhi. This powerful piece, set to the mesmerizing music of Philip Glass, not only reflects Gandhi's teachings but also draws inspiration from great minds like Tagore, Tolstoy, and Martin Luther King Jr., who championed freedom and peace.
Gandhi's call for self-reliance, non-violence, and peace through togetherness resonates now more than ever. We need Gandhi today and now. His message, rooted in the Bhagavad Gita, emphasizes creating a violent-free society and protecting our environment.
The inaugural premiere is on 06.09.2024 at the Opera House Hannover, and I encourage everyone, not just in Hannover but across the globe, to witness this masterpiece. Let’s unite in the spirit of "Satyagraha" and strive for a world of freedom and peace. A shout out to the leadership of Laura Berman and Team at the Opera house. 

News from Culture in Hannover

Yesterday, I had the honor of attending the rehearsal of "Satyagraha" at Staatsoper Hannover, an inspiring opera that beautifully embodies the principles of truth (Satya) and non-violence, as preached by Mahatma Gandhi. This powerful piece, set to the mesmerizing music of Philip Glass, not only reflects Gandhi's teachings but also draws inspiration from great minds like Tagore, Tolstoy, and Martin Luther King Jr., who championed freedom and peace.
Gandhi's call for self-reliance, non-violence, and peace through togetherness resonates now more than ever. We need Gandhi today and now. His message, rooted in the Bhagavad Gita, emphasizes creating a violent-free society and protecting our environment.
The inaugural premiere is on 06.09.2024 at the Opera House Hannover, and I encourage everyone, not just in Hannover but across the globe, to witness this masterpiece. Let’s unite in the spirit of "Satyagraha" and strive for a world of freedom and peace. A shout out to the leadership of Laura Berman and Team at the Opera house. 

News from Culture in Hannover

Heartiest congratulations to my dear friend and colleague, Prof. Kapil Ahuja, for being selected for the prestigious National Awards to Teachers 2024! 
Prof. Ahuja, a dedicated faculty member at IIT Indore, was chosen through a rigorous, transparent, and nationwide selection process by the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India. His excellence in teaching, outstanding student feedback, innovative contributions to curriculum development, and commitment to research-oriented education truly set him apart.
The award will be conferred by the Hon'ble President of India on September 5th, 2024, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
Having known Kapil for over a decade and collaborated on numerous projects, I am thrilled to see his hard work and passion recognized at this level. I have personally observed how he takes every student as his own and supports them to develop them as a responsible citizen. He moulds them in bringing out their potential and interests.  Well deserved, Kapil! Here's to many more successes ahead! 

News from Culture in Hannover

Last week, I attended the opening of the exhibition "Die Stadt und Ich" at the New City Hall in Hannover. The young artists from the 10th grade of the International School Hannover created impressive works that depict our city from their perspective. I was particularly captivated by the painting by Sofia, 15 years old, which beautifully captures the vibrant energy of Hannover. I am amazed by Sofia's talent and creativity. Kudos to the International School Hannover for providing these young artists with such a wonderful platform!

News from Culture in Hannover

Successful ISK Sports Festival: Integration Through Sports
I had the pleasure of attending the ISK Sports Festival held today at the Hochschulsport Hannover grounds. The event welcomed several hundred participants from integration courses, offering them the chance to explore the diverse sports clubs in the Hannover region, including VfL Eintracht Hannover, DHC Hannover, TuS Vahrenwald 08, SSV Union 06, the Chess Club Döhren, and the Table Soccer Club Lokomotive.
It was a special honor to be there alongside Hannover's Mayor, Thomas Klapproth, and my fellow council member, Sabrina Kman, to support this significant event.
Since 2022, ISK Hannover has been collaborating with the Lower Saxony State Sports Association and is proud to be the first language school in Lower Saxony supported by the federal program "Integration Through Sports." This initiative aims to help integration course participants join sports clubs and promote health awareness. It is gratifying to see that the sports festival once again made a valuable contribution this year.
I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of this event. It was an unforgettable day, and I look forward to seeing everyone again at next year's event!

News from Culture in Hannover

It’s a traditional event every summer. It was a lovely occasion with heartwarming music, where people from different cultures gathered at Villa Seligmann. A joyful meeting with Eliah Sakakushev-von-Bismarck, Director and Head of Arts at Villa Seligmann, and Rebbetzin Shterna Wolff, Chabad Hannover Haus Benjamin.

News from Culture in Hannover

It was a special day and occasion. I’m happy to be invited to the inauguration of the last of two exhibitions by the gifted artist Prof. Siegfried Neuenhausen at the Städtische Museum Braunschweig. It’s always astonishing to see and feel his willpower and open-minded thoughts expressed through his art. Hearty congratulations, dear friend Siegfried.

News from Culture in Hannover

A society that does not respect women can never be a developed and civilized society. Grateful to the forum and all the citizens of Hannover who continue to stand for justice, freedom, and respect for the lives of women in Iran.

News from Culture in Hannover

Today, I attended the General Assembly of AMFN e.V. (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Migrantinnen, Migranten und Flüchtlinge in Niedersachsen), the largest umbrella organization in Niedersachsen advocating for the migration and inclusive participation of international citizens. Special thanks to Managing Director Dr. Anwar Hadeed and Severine Jean, Thematic Expert, for their impressive catalog of activities and successful acquisition of funds. AMFN continues to be a vital voice for international citizens and their associations in Niedersachsen.

News from Culture in Hannover

A special interlude at the Art Association: during the transition phase between 'The Myth of Normal' and the traditional exhibition for the 'Art Association Prize,' Degenhard Andrulat presented a video installation of his painting artist books. It opens today and is only on view for a few days. With Director Christoph Platz-Gallus and his new design for the institution, which he introduced in 2023.

News from Culture in Hannover

The "Kleine Fest im großen Garten" had a grand start. Thanks to the team Casper de Vries, who organized a fantastic performing arts festival in six months. There were enthusiastic faces everywhere. It's worth a visit. We were thrilled.

News from the World

It was a pleasure to meet Stefan Schröder and Anna Urumyan at the trans4Log Lab in Hannover. The visit was an enlightening experience, where we discussed into the fundamentals of mobility logistics and the aviation sector. Our discussions encompassed the challenges in recruiting a qualified and skilled workforce. Additionally, we explored the strengths of Niedersachsen's aviation sector and the upcoming event focusing on the aviation industries of Niedersachsen and India.

News from the World

My inputs for Abhishek Nair’s article on why students are now choosing Europe and particularly Germany for higher education can be read here. Photo: Unsplash

News from Culture in Hannover

Happy to participate at the meeting of Lord Mayor of Hannover and Consul General of India at the Townhall. Fruitful and foresight discussions on Hannover - India relations including culture, business, higher education among other themes.

News from the World

Together with a business delegation, I visited the Kingdom of Morocco from June 25-28.

This brought back wonderful memories and friendships that I had made during my research career.

A country of great diversity, warmth and friendliness. Looking forward to various meetings, specifically on the topic of partnership in the area of qualified and skilled workforce for innovative state of Niedersachsen and Kingdom of Morocco.  

Day 1, to begin with was incredibly fruitful with intense discussions and a networking evening that enabled several innovative ideas about future cooperation between various stakeholders including business entities from Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony) and Morocco. Engaging and positive discussions on potential ideas to accelerate the recruitment of qualified and skilled workforce in partnership with the Kingdom of Morocco. Thank you to open discussions, valuable insights  based on experience and motivation to find a sustainable partnership. 
We had insightful and very open discussions about new programmes based on experiences from existing and upcoming projects, aiming to enhance the skilled workforce for both the Kingdom of Morocco and Niedersachsen. The interaction with the dedicated team from ANAPEC, Morocco, among others was truly motivating.
Accompanied by Minister Olaf Lies, we delved into an intense discussion on the theme of qualified skilled workforce for Niedersachsen.

Day 2 was an eventful day! I traveled from Casablanca to Tangier and then on to Rabat. The train connection was very good and reliable with punctuality. The day began with a special honor: I received an invitation from the Vice President of the Regional Government of Tangier (TTA). Our discussions were extremely productive and constructive. We are now working on a roadmap for a partnership between the Tangier region (TTA) and Lower Saxony in the field of skilled and knowledgeable workers. We are already looking forward to welcoming the delegation in Lower Saxony.
The team from the Tangier region was very well prepared, engaged, and focused. Our talks about a potential partnership in the area of skilled and knowledgeable workers were promising. We were able to agree on the next steps and create a timeline and roadmap for implementation.
In the afternoon, in Rabat, I gladly accepted the invitation to speak with Radio Morocco. The short and pleasant conversation revolved around the visit and the partnership between Lower Saxony and Morocco in the field of skilled and knowledgeable workers.
The day ended with a constructive discussion on the topic of skilled workers with the Vice President of the Tangier region, the Minister, and the Ambassador at the German Embassy in Rabat.


I would like to sincerely thank all participants and stakeholders of this delegation trip, especially Minister Olaf Lies. A special thanks goes to our hosts, the country of Morocco, for their great hospitality.

I look forward to future cooperation and to further deepening these partnerships.

News from Culture in Hannover

International Yoga Day Celebrated in Hannover
On June 23rd, 2024, the Indian Association Hannover, in cooperation with Sport im Park—an initiative of the City of Hannover, organized the International Yoga Day for the third consecutive year. With more than 700 participants, it was a day of immense happiness and delight to see the enthusiastic gathering in Hannover, the city of Yoga.

News from the World

Pleased to visit BBS Verden and the partner city Syke in Niedersachsen. 🌍✨ We had insightful discussions on future projects and international collaborations, with a focus on Morocco, all aimed at building a highly skilled and qualified workforce. Excited for the road ahead! 

News from the World

Dirk Matter, the managing director of the German-Indian Chamber of Commerce, is an expert in establishing business cooperation and the potential for shared skill development. As a long-standing friend and dedicated contributor, he has made significant contributions over the years. I'm excited to catch up on the latest developments and explore potential opportunities with him.

News from the World

On such occasions, every minute feels well spent. The discussions were very open, balanced, focused, and outcome-oriented. The team, led by Rafiaa El Mansouri (Vice President, Région Tanger - Tétouan - Al-Hoceïma, Kingdom of Morocco), was highly motivated and full of energy, dedicated to achieving their objectives. Special thanks to Dr. Stephanie Schell-Faucon (Director of Program) and Sarika Amruth (Project Manager) from GiZ (Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit) for their excellent organization. I look forward to further discussions and concretizing the projects for sustainable partnerships. I must also thank my colleague Tornike Murtskhvaladze (Region Hannover) for connecting us and accompanying me to the meeting.

News from the World

Insights and Opportunities
Experience and pragmatism speak it all. Thank you so much to Honourable Consul General Ms. Soumya Gupta for the time and for sharing her insights on the endless possibilities of partnering with India. We discussed skilled workforce, startups, joint analysis on futuristic sustainable models, among other topics.

News from Culture in Hannover

A friend par motivator. One of the shining examples of self-made successful icon in the field media and journalism. Very happy to catch up with friend from Indo-German diaspora Julia Niharika Sen. Culture is free flowing in her with her talented and renowned Father of Indian origin. We had very insightful discussions on various topics including societal integration and possibilities to create awareness, i.e. through role models. 

News from Culture in Hannover

May 27th was a memorable day as I had the pleasure of interacting with an enthusiastic group of exchange students from Kolkata, India visiting their host school, KGS Wennigsen, in Region Hannover. We started our day with a visit to the Mahatma Gandhi Bust and the iconic Neues Rathaus in Hannover, delving into the rich history and culture that connects our two nations. 

Our discussions spanned across various engaging topics, including sustainability, the strong ties between India and Germany, and the fascinating differences and similarities between our countries. The students' curiosity and insights were truly inspiring! 

A heartfelt thank you to all the dedicated teachers who made this exchange possible, especially Cornelius Kast for inviting me to be part of this enlightening experience. Your efforts in fostering global understanding and education are commendable. 

Wishing these bright young minds all the best for their project presentations and the rest of their stay in Hannover. Keep shining and learning!

News from Culture in Hannover

Congratulations Lister Turm Community Center, 

Here is my speech on the occasion of the belt day of the district center Lister Turm: 

„I would like to warmly welcome you on behalf of the Friends of Lister Turm e.V. to this anniversary event. 

As the Friends of Lister Turm, this building, its staff, and of course, all friends and partners are particularly dear to us. We are therefore delighted to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the community center, formerly known as the leisure center, at this moment. The building surely has a long history and has been an integral part for 126 years, first of the village of List and later of the city of Hanover. The opening of today's community center on May 1, 1974, brought a whole new perspective to this place. From children to seniors, many people visit the offerings of the Lister Turm community center. In addition to our commitment to preserving the building, we also look forward to continuing to support these offerings, as we have been doing for a long time. 

We have celebrated many joint festivals, such as past anniversaries, the restart of the Eilenrieder Race, the sustainable winter market, and have also supported the artistic and social program. We look forward to continuing to do so with the same passion for the next 50 years! 

We wish you a happy birthday and thank you for the great cooperation.“

News from the World

The Apollo Group has become an integral part of the Indian health care system. Therefore, there were very insightful and detailed discussions about possible areas of cooperation in the health care system, including specialists and capacity building. We initiated this meeting after the first exploratory discussion in May 2023. We look forward to further efforts on the basis of our joint roadmap.

News from the World

Today, on the 3rd. February, was a day with intensive but very constructive discussions and a plausible roadmap for preparing students for qualified migration. We thank Prof. R. Seenivasan, Director of International Relations at VIT University, for the organization of all relevant meetings and comprehensive support. We are looking forward to the follow-up measures and the detailed framework on the basis of today's meetings.

News from the World

Today, on the 30th January is the anniversary of the death of Mahthma Gandhi. It fills me with humility to be at his burning site, the Raj Ghat. I remember this man who preached and practiced peace all his life, but was killed by violence. This day reminds us all of the continued campaign for non-violence, be it in wars, against women, against children or against nature and other forms of violence.

News from the Culture in Hannover

Today, January 15th, 2024, I was able to take part in the Hanover Art Association's New Year's reception. The art association was founded in 1832, making it one of the earliest cultural sites in the country. Here, director Christoph Platz-Gallus gave the sponsors and supporters an insight into the 2024/25 program at the traditional New Year's reception - it will be a very exciting art year!

News from the World

Today, January 7, 2024, I met with the Honorable Consul General of India, Mr. B.S. Mubarak, in the consulate in Frankfurt. I feel very honored to have received the invitation. It was a very moving meeting because Mr. B.S. Mubarak was my supervisor at CAS in Marine Biology at Annamalai University, where I did my Masters in Marine Biology and Oceanography.

Having him here in Germany as Consul General in Frankfurt is a dream that has come true. We reveled in our beautiful memories of days spent together. It was a rare moment of joy and excitement to sit with an eminent personality who had his humble beginnings at the Alma Mater and is today in this very illustrious and special position. He still shows great humility, honesty and a lot of commitment to achieve the best every day.

News from the Culture in Hannover

December 3rd, 2023: “The Friesenstraße art space celebrates color in painting. The spectrum of the exhibition extends from color as a material material to the immaterial color shine. In addition to exciting artists from the Gisela Sperling Collection, guest contributions from Christiane Fuchs, Werner Bartels, Susanne Maaß, Bernd Minnich and Ricardo Saro can be seen. A colorful show that is definitely worth a visit.”

News from the Culture in Hannover

Yesterday, November 10th, was the grand opening with the Minister of Science and Culture and Akinbode Akinbiyi at the Kunstverein. Akinbode Akinbiyi is a recipient of the Goethe Medal and the Federal Cross of Merit for his artistic photography work. Christoph Platz-Gallus and his team are showing over 100 new works by the artist, 90 of which were created in Hanover, where Akinbode repeatedly commuted from Berlin, where he lives, for a year. A great honor for the city to be portrayed by such a legendary artist - see Hannover in a new way at the Kunstverein!

News from the World

On November 9th I was able to take part in the 2023 orientation program at the University of Bremen. The opening by Mr. Satheesan, Vice Consul of the Indian Consulate General in Hamburg, was followed by inspiring speeches by guests of honor Jens Kemper, International Office, University of Bremen, Prof. Dr. Mayank Golpelwar, professor at Hochschule Bremen and Samy Thiyagarajan, founder and COO of Oracle Germany. I was also able to speak as the founder of Young Professionals Platform for Agricultural Research for Development (YPARD) and advisor to Indian students in Germany. The orientation program was moderated by Saikiran Krishnamoorthy, the former president of ISAB 

I warmly welcome all new students and wish you much success in your studies and an exciting, wonderful time away from home.

News from the World

It was a very constructive meeting on October 12th at the Indian Embassy in Berlin. I would like to thank the director of the Indo-German Science and Technology Center (IGTSC) for his time and a lively exchange. We talked about the need for a global competence center and a new workforce skills mission in India, as well as joint investments in India and Lower Saxony. We also discussed further opportunities for collaboration between industry and science and new projects at the IGTSC and Leibniz University Hannover.

News from the Culture in Hannover

One does not need to have a high level of fitness or the ability to do the splits to practice yoga. This is a message yoga teacher Akash Nair likes to emphasize. What really counts is the ability to just let the breathing and movement happen. This philosophy is conveyed by yoga teacher Akash Nair. Those interested can experience this philosophy and the experience of yoga poses such as "downward-facing dog" and "mermaid" at the Moksh Yoga Festival on the last weekend of August in Hanover. The venue is the Zentrum für Hochschulsport, Am Moritzwinkel 6. Akash Nair, organizer of the festival and operator of a yoga school in Anderten, emphasizes that the participation fees will be donated to a well project in West Africa. He himself visited Guinea to learn about well construction.
The participation fee for the entire weekend is 100 euros. Included are yoga classes, nutrition talks, and the chance to enjoy Indian food, snacks, and drinks. Yoga teachers from Hanover and all over Germany give insights into the old teachings of movement practice from India. It is also possible to purchase tickets for individual days. The participation fee for Saturday, August 26 is 75 euros and for Sunday 60 euros. The program begins at 9 a.m. on both days and ends at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and 7 p.m. on Sunday. Akash Nair announces that Saturday will start with a traditional Indian opening ceremony. Tickets are available on the website www.mokshyoga-festival.com.
As councilor of the SPD, I think one step further. I suggest expanding Hanover into the "City of Yoga" because the yoga scene is well represented in Hanover. I already illustrated this in early summer when I organized a mass yoga class in front of the town hall with hundreds of participants. I see great potential here. You find the Article here.

News from the World

In July 2023, I visited several Indian institutions of higher education and research: The high level delegation comprised of President, Vice President, professors from various fields of science and engineering along with the Director of International Affairs. Following institutions were visited starting from North (Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, JECRC University in Jaipur, Rajasthan), moving to central part (Indian Institute of Technology Indore) and finishing with the south (Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Central Leather Research Institute and VIT University, Vellore all in Tamil Nadu). The focus was to visit the new facilities of research at the above mentioned institutions, discuss the potenrial new areas of cooperation, mobility of research and teaching staffs, mobility of students, doctoral fellows and visiting professorships. Discussion involved estbalishment of centre of excellence in various topics including drug development from biological materials, computational science, coastal research, structural engineering, quantum and solid state physics, centre on sustanability, climate change, waste management among others. Picture from our visit of the Discovery Campus of Indian Institute of Technology in Madras. 

News from the Culture in Hannover

Sunday, June 25th, 2023 was World Yoga Day! Several hundred fans of Indian kinesiology gathered on Trammplatz on Sunday to celebrate World Yoga Day. The United Nations created this day to emphasize the importance of yoga for health and well-being. In Germany, Hanover is hosting this year's event. The exercise hour is organized by the Indian embassy, ​​among others, on my initiative as an SPD councilor of Indian origin. Even the Indian ambassador Harish Parvathaneni attended the free practice session with teachers from Hanover yoga schools. More about this here in the HAZ article and here on the üstra passenger television. Photo: © Ricardo Wiesinger

News from the Culture in Hannover

On June 5, 2023, next to
Kerstin Berghoff-Ising, Prof. Dr. Joachim Jähne, Clara Simona Pries, Birgit Streicher and Lukas Zerbst, I were elected as a member of the advisory board of the Kunstverein Hannover at their general meeting. I am looking forward to a lively and constructive cooperation with the Advisory Board and an exciting time.

News from the World

Proffessionals for Germany and India. Made in Hannover. Made in Niedersachsen. In partnership with VIT University, Indien. I was honoured and happy to welcome Dr. G. Viswanathan, Founder and Chancellor, writer, thinker, educationalist, social worker and politician (former Member of the Parliament and Cabinet Minister, Govt. of Tamil Nadu). Successfully we will soon reach 20 years of partnership.

News from the World

On May 3rd, I gave a presentation at the Science4Peace Forum about "Bridges between India and Germany in the area of science". You can watch it here.

News from the World

Serving as an Advisor in India relations at Leibniz Universitat Hanover and as an active member of the Social Democratic Party, I talked about opportunities for Indian students in Germany, fake applications, UGC’s rule on foreign campuses, the safety of Indian students, and more in this Interview and Article.

News from the World

Yesterday I received the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA) at an official ceremony in the atrium of the Leibniz University in Hanover. The PBSA is India's highest national award, which has been honoring exceptionally committed people from the Indian diaspora since 2003. It was a great honor for me to personally receive the award from his Excellence, the Indian Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni. I am also grateful for the touching words from the President of Leibniz University Prof. Epping, the Member of the German Bundestag Adis Ahmetovic, our Prime Minister Stephan Weil and the Indian General Consul from Hamburg Soumya Gupta. I would also like to thank the many people and friends who found their way to this event and thus accompanied me during this solemn hour. You can read the local newspaper article here , an Article from Neena Hartmann from Indienaktuell  here and my acceptance speech here.

News from the World

I have attended the G20 Youth Summit on Climate and Peace Building in Pune, India, with delegates from all over the world at the invitation of the Ministry of Youth. It was important to me and an honor to be able to make a small contribution to this important and serious topic. The summit was about possibilities and perspectives in climate protection as well as sensible measures and other ideas. I was allowed to contribute a speech on the topic of sustainability at a panel discussion and was thus able to further expand the exchange of Leibniz University in the international context of climate protection.

News from the Culture in Hannover

I visited the smallest design museum in Germany. It was opened in 2011 and is a spatially small museum, but with great aspirations, because it wants to bring people together - not just things on display. Anand Steinhoff maintains an exchange with people and companies with an affinity for design and is the third generation to run the museum and a furniture store that is nationally known for its individual and innovative furnishing concepts. The exhibition traces the history and development of the cantilever chair, tells of sources of inspiration, technical innovations and patent disputes. Tools, materials, illustrations and an original model in the prototype stage provide insights into the design and manufacturing processes.
Very informative and definitely worth a visit.

News from the World

The second stage of my official visit to India took me to Delhi today, where I met an old friend and visited the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Delhi. Developments in reducing long visa delays and the new certification for students wishing to study in Germany were discussed. It is good that all steps are taken in the right direction to solve problems. Later in the day, there was an invitation from the director of the Indo-German Science and Technology Centre, a joint funding initiative by Germany and India to promote research in India and Germany in cooperation with industry, and a very fruitful discussion with LUH's partner university, the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, a very reputable institution from which many students attend LUH for Masters and PhD studies every year. We are now making plans to further expand this collaboration.

News from the Culture in Hannover

After a long planning phase, the renovation of the Lister Tower, one of the most beautiful listed buildings in Hanover, has now begun. The complex from 1896 is in dire need of renovation and is now to be reworked in two construction phases at a cost of EUR 3.6 million from city funds. In my function as chairman of the Lister Turm development association and SPD councilor for the state capital of Hanover, I had called for the historic ballroom to be renovated at the same time. According to city spokesman Dennis Dix, this would be worth considering, but would then have to be decided politically. Here is the link to the HAZ article from January 18, 2023.

News from the World

It was a great honor and privilege on the occasion of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2023 by the Indian Foreign Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar to be invited to Indore, Madhya Pradesh. On this occasion, I also met the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Culture, Ms. Meenakshi Lekhi, and the Minister of State for Foreign and Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. V. Muraleedharan. At every opportunity, I promoted Hanover, Lower Saxony and Germany to explore, stimulate and deepen possible partnerships in different areas.

News from the World

Happy New Year from India. I went back to the local school. It gave me much peace and joy to visit and talk to the school children and teachers. Much needs to be done to make young people responsible citizens of the country and our beautiful world. This is exactly what is happening in middle school (grades 1-8) in a small village called Kalancheri in Tamil Nadu, India.

News from the Culture in Hannover

As part of the "House of Resources" project, MiSO invited to the country evening in the Linden leisure center on December 18, 2022, where four MiSO members presented their countries. As councilor of the SPD, I was able to welcome the participants on behalf of politics. As a politician who is active in migration and integration work, I see a great need for intercultural work, the aim of which is mutual acceptance and respect, because that creates the conditions for peaceful coexistence.

News from the Culture in Hannover

On December 15, 2022 I took part in the commemoration event at the Ohestraße memorial. The headmaster of Vocational School 3, Harald Meier, recited the thoughts of a masonry student, written down in German class in front of 60 participants who had gathered in front of the archway of the memorial in the schoolyard to commemorate the more than 170 Jews. who were deported to Riga on December 15, 1941, 81 years ago, from Ohestraße - formerly a center of Jewish life. You can find the report on this here.

News from the World in Hannover

75 years of independence of India!
"Swatantrata Divas" - on 15.8. was Indian national day, on which India celebrated its 75 years of independence from Great Britain. National flags were hoisted all over the country and the former leaders during the Indian freedom movement, e.g. Mahatma Gandhi, were commemorated. On this solemn occasion I laid down flowers together with the member of the German Bundestag Adis Ahmetović in front of the Gandhi bust in Hanover. With that, we convey our heartfelt congratulations to the Indian nation.

News from the Culture in Hannover

On Sunday, July 10th, 2021, the traditional event "Schorsenbummel" took place again after a two-year break due to the pandemic. I was allowed to represent the city of Hanover as a councilman and was pleased about the large number of visitors. The traditional event exists since April 6, 1981 and is still very popular today, even if the city is thinking about ending it. Here is the article from the HAZ. Picture: HAZ

News from the World in Hannover

On May 30, 2022, I was honored to be present alongside Indian Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni,
together with Federal Ministers Ralph Brink, Adis
Ahmetovic and Dr. Oliver Vogt and the Consul General John H.
Ruolngulden inaugurate the Indian Pavilion at the Hannover Messe 2022.
The Ambassador highlighted the export opportunities for India
and invited German medium-sized companies to invest in India.
The Indian Ambassador also visited and interacted with all Indian booths
exhibitors. This year, over 60 Indian tech giants will attend Hannover Messe 2022, showcasing India's tech prowess under the banner of
Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC India), Indian
Electrical and Electronics Manufacturers (IEEMA) and the
National Association of Software and Services Companies
(NASSCOM). A number of Indian companies are also taking
as an individual at the Hannover.

News from the Culture in Hannover

NEVER FORGET
Appointments like this are emotional and are the most important thing to me personally, because it's about values ​​and attitude. In memory of the Loebenstein family and all those who were murdered in cold blood during the Nazi regime.
Lotte-Lore, Gertrud and Herbert fled from the Nazis to the Netherlands in August 1937. After the occupation by the German Wehrmacht in May 1940, the persecution of the Jews also began in the Netherlands. In order to avoid the deportations that began in the summer of 1942, the Loebenstein family went underground. Nothing is known about their hiding place and the circumstances. On April 30, 1943, the police arrested Herbert, Gertrud and Lotte-Lore Loebenstein. The family was deported via the Westerbork transit camp to the Sobibor extermination camp in occupied Poland on May 18, 1943 and murdered there after the train arrived on May 21, 1943.
On Mai 25th, I attended the laying of the stumbling blocks in front of the historic residential building Hindenburgstr. 34, the last residential address of the Loebenstein family in Hanover, together with the Mayor of the state capital Hanover Belit Onay, Yvonne Dannull and Frank Straßburger.

News from the World

On May 1st 2022, I was in Berlin on the occasion of the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi: "During Prime Minister Modi's visit to Berlin, Chancellor Scholz emphasized India's key role in climate policy.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has described India as a key partner for Germany in Asia - in economic, security and climate terms. India is a key country with regard to global climate protection, Scholz said at the Indo-German government consultations in Berlin. The current heat wave in India is an indication of the importance of halting climate change.
Germany and India agreed a total of 14 joint declarations of intent. This also includes cooperation in the future technology of hydrogen. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the aim is to improve the green hydrogen infrastructure." (Pic: dpa)(Text Source: https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/indien-konsulationen-101.html)
Here is my interview with the Indian TV station Doordarshan.

News from the Culture in Hannover

On March 31 I was elected to the board of the cultural forum of social democracy in the Hanover region for the area of ​​university and international affairs. The Culture Forum is an association of people from the Hanover region who are interested in culture and culture policy and belong to the SPD or are close to it. It offers a forum for encounters between politics and culture and a platform for cultural policy discussions.
It organizes visits and discussions in and with cultural institutions and wants to create an appropriate space for culture in the city and region.

News from the Culture in Hannover

Listed half-timbering with colorful decorations, elaborate stucco, wood paneling: the List Tower should shine again in the splendor of the Wilhelminian era. The city has now presented a renovation concept and wants to replace the facade, windows, roof and sanitary facilities in particular for 3.6 million euros.
"Renovation is urgently needed," says Bala Ramani, chairman of the Lister Turm development association and SPD councilor for the state capital of Hanover. Work will start later this year, with the gastronomy and beer garden remaining open for the time being. More about this here.

News from the Culture in Hannover

On March 23rd I was allowed to take part in the MiSO and ADV Nord event as part of the Weeks Against Racism. There was an exciting lecture by the neo-Nazi dropout Philip Schlaffer and a subsequent panel discussion, in which, in addition to stage guests such as Djenabou Diallo-Hartmann, Wilma Nyari, Jesse Jeng, Haytham Hmeidan and Simone Rafael, I also discussed the topic: hate and right-wing hate speech. 

News from the World

On February 26, 2022, the "Stand with Ukraine" demo for solidarity with Ukraine took place in Hanover. Carsten Müller - member of the Bundestag, CDU, Ihor Piroschik / Olena Gruzina - Board of Directors Free Ukraine Braunschweig eV, Oksana Janzen - Chairwoman Ukrainian Association in Lower Saxony eV, Iryna Markevych - Regional Director in Hanover Heart for Ukraine eV, Marco Albers - Chairman Jusos District Hanover, Eugen Issak-Martynjuk - Union of Don Cossacks Abroad, Tornike Murtskhvaladze - Chairman Georgian Migrants in Hanover e.V. and I myself got a chance to speak.
Together we chanted urgent messages to Germany, the EU and the world to make it clear that we demand a quick end of this unjust war and offer our help to the people of Ukraine.

News from the Culture in Hannover

On February 22nd, the commemorative event and wreath-laying ceremony "Mut tut gut" - Together against right-wing movement-  of the FÖRDERVEREIN LISTER TURM e.V. took place.
The occasion was the anniversary of the ambush and murder of members of the opposition from the SPD-affiliated organization Reichsbanner by the SA (Part of NSDAP), which took place at the Lister Tower on the night of February 21st to February 22, 1933.
In these explosive times it is so important to stand together in solidarity against right-wing tendency and for an open democracy!

News from the International Mother Language Day

The International Mother Language Day is celebrated around the world on February 21st. It was adopted at the UNESCO General Conference in 1999 and has been celebrated worldwide since 2000. Language is a means of expression, an instrument for passing on information, knowledge and cultures. It is therefore the key to understanding and social participation (see here). That's why I was of course very happy to follow the call from the SPD in Lower Saxony and took part with a speech in Tamil and Hindi.

News from the World -Happy New Year-

Happy New Years greetings and Namaste from my Indian homeland.
With our support, the school in my home town is currently being renovated. About 120 children from the surrounding villages learn there. We as a family have been supporting this school for many years in the development and maintenance of the infrastructure, including clean sanitary facilities, drinking water, the provision of free bicycles, extra nutritious lunches and now in the context of the renovation of the building and inventory.

News from the Embassy of India in Berlin

On December 13th, 2021 I visited the new Indian Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish (2nd from left) in Berlin with our MdB Adis Ahmetovic (1st from left) and talked about the future improvement of relations between India and Germany, but also between India and Lower Saxony. We look forward to good cooperation and the promotion of common interests.

News from the Culture in Hanover 

On December 5th, 2021 I was elected as the president during the assembly held by the members of IASH. Here is the video contribution.

News from the Culture in Hanover 

Recently I was able to visit the building site for the House of Religions.
The House of Religions in Hanover is one of the most important and first of its kind in Germany.
Thanks to the continuous efforts of various interest groups, including the House of Religions, the State Capital of Hanover and in particular the Committee for International Affairs, a place has been and is being created where school children can gain an understanding of different religions, the concepts behind them and their cultural development .
I am impressed by the progress of the construction work, which is proceeding swiftly in spite of the most diverse challenges in the construction work. Dr. Gert Meinhof showed us around the construction site and sketched a vivid picture of what it should look like there very soon. The building in Böhmerstrasse is being converted with due regard to the special needs of the visiting schoolchildren, young people and those taking part in the various events. For example, a multimedia exhibition about the various religions will be installed.
Personally, I am thrilled that the House of Religions does not only represent the "big" religions. People who do not feel they belong to any religion will find an equal place there.
I wish everyone involved in this great project every success with the further implementation and look forward to seeing you again in 2022.

News from the Culture in Hanover 

Racism has no place in society. Love is the only medicine against hate.
Racism makes you sick. Racism happens every day - in public, at work, at school, everywhere.
On 11/29 From 6:00 p.m. I will be discussing racism and how it makes our society sick with my esteemed councilors: Iyabo Kaczmarek, Thomas Klapproth as well as Kai Weber from the Lower Saxony Refugee Council and Pia Ahmed as the representative of civil society.
More information about the panel discussion, the associated exhibition and the short film is available at: http://www.iik-hannover.de/

News from the Culture in Hanover 

The "Förderverein Lister Turm e.V." has elected a new board:
On October 27, 2021, the Lister Turm e.V. association elected a new board at its annual general meeting.
Chairman: Dr. Bala S. Ramani
Treasurer: Walther Tanke
Rapporteur: Carsten Gramms
Assessors: Birgit Ahrens, Dr. Katja Günther-Schade, Dana Klingenberg, May-Britt Struß
The board of directors will shortly meet for a closed meeting to discuss the plans for 2022 and 2023 with the members of the association.
On behalf of the newly elected board, I would like to thank the outgoing chairman Andreas Pieper and his team for their work and ask to support the new board in the transition process and beyond.

News from the World

On 2nd October 2021 was Mahathma Gandhi’s 152nd birth anniversary. All his life, Gandhi ji practised non-violence, fight against discrmination and love for all beings in this universum. Hannover is very privileged and honoured to have him with us. On 4th October the Indian Association Hannover was therefore celebrating the anniversary of Mahathma Gandhi. 

News from the indoeuropean.eu

Wishes and greetings from the Consulate General of India Hamburg

published under the HP of indoeuropean.eu from September 15, 2021.

News from the Culture in Hanover

It was a very lively evening at the opening of the autumn exhibition at the Kunstverein Hannover. This was also the right time to support the local and regional artists who, among other things, suffer from the COVID situation and cannot hold their events, exhibitions and presentations. I had the honor of meeting the extraordinary Hanoverian artist Siegfried Neuenhausen and to meet renowned and respected artists: Julia Neuenhausen, Judith Ganz and Andrej Wilhlems.

News from the Culture in Hanover

Thank you for the friendly invitation from Eby Tangara, President of the African Umbrella Association North (ADV) for the PRE FARAFINA festival. Unfortunately, due to the COVID situation, the FARAFINA could not take place as planned, hence this preview festival for the large version in 2022. I congratulate the organizers, the ADV and its member associations for the excellent organization, the high quality of the artists and their performances with which they presented the diversity of Pan-African culture.

News from the Neue Presse

Article from the Neue Presse from June 10th, 21st:
"Ramani, an ambassador of India even without diplomacy" on the occasion of the presentation of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA) by the Indian President on January 9, 2021.

News from the Lower Saxony State Chancellery

Video of the conversation with the Prime Minister of Lower Saxony Stephan Weil in April 2021 on the occasion of the award ceremony of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA)..

News from the Leibniz University of Hanover

Press article from January 21, 2021:
"High distinction from the Indian government for LUH employee Dr. Balasubramanian Ramani"
LUH President Prof. Dr. Volker Epping conveyed Congratulations to Ramani this week.

News from Intercultural Volunteering

Interview as part of the Wednesday dialogue series of the Indian Consulate General (CGI) in Hamburg on 2nd December 2020. 

News from Intercultural Volunteering

Webinar "Handling Communication in the era of Social Media." with the Kumaraguru Institute of Agriculture on 5th October 2020.