Germany and India 2011-2012: Infinite Opportunities

Dear Friends of "Germany and India 2011-2012: Infinite Opportunities",

The glorious 'German Year in India' that began in September 2011, and witnessed quite a few beautiful moments, memorable events and exciting situations, came to an end in February 2013. The programme achieved remarkable results as it celebrated the 60-year-strong diplomatic relations and a deep rooted friendship between Germany and India under the motto "Germany and India 2011-2012: Infinite Opportunities". With an overall reach of over a million people across the country, the year of Germany in India, its programmes and the centerpiece "Indo-German Urban Mela" managed to provide the necessary platform for young Indians to explore the various facets of the Indo-German collaboration. More than 47,000 fans on our page provide a live testimonial of the success of the endeavour. We would like to thank all of you for contributing to this project.
This page will remain static henceforth but most definitely do not want to lose your love and support. So, we suggest that you browse the following pages to keep yourself informed:
German Information Centre South Asia: to help you stay updated on news & happenings from and about Germany.
Goethe-Institutes: to learn German as a foreign language & know more about their cultural collaboration across the globe through various events, festivals and exhibitions.
Indo-German Chamber of Commerce (IGCC) – Single Window Business Solutions for companies planning to do business with India or Germany.
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD): to know about study or research options in Germany.

On February 21, the "Year of Germany in India" came officially to a close at India Gate. At the same time, the new campaign " GERmany" was launched. 600 students, teachers, school principals, German Ambassador Michael Steiner, Lt. Governor of Delhi Tejendra Khanna and Bollywood actor Gul Panag came together in an event to launch the new campaign of the German Embassy.
On this festive occasion and in order to celebrate more than 60 years of diplomatic relations between India and Germany, the India Gate was illuminated for the first time in the Indo-German colours.

For pics, click here: http://www.india.diplo.de/Vertretung/indien/en/08__Media/Library/Photo__Gallery/GerMANY__India__Gate.html?offset=24

Photo Exhibition by Tapan Pandit

Entries submitted by Punekars

We are glad to announce Dr. Krishna Mysore Bhimasenarao from Bangalore as the winner of "What's your German Connect?" National Contest that took place in Pune, the final stopover of the Urban Mela, on January 20th, 2013. Dr. Krishna beat other 4 city winners from Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi and Pune to win a FREE TRIP TO BERLIN for 5 days and 4 nights!
Once again, thank you to each one of you who participated in the "What's your German Connect?" contest and shared your love for Deutschland in the form of essays, pictures and videos.

We would like to thank Mr. Anil Domkawle, who congratulated us for organising the fantastic event Indo-German Urban Mela in Pune. He visited the Urban Mela with his family and also shared with us the pictures of his daughter clicked by one of our volunteers. Like him, you can also share your favourite moments from the Urban Mela with us. Share your experience, submit a story, or upload a video or picture. We’d love to hear from you!

Thank you Punekars for an amazing response to the contest "What’s Your German Connect?". We received a number of impressive stories, with people sharing their love for Deutsch and Deutschland, their experience in Germany and the fascination for anything that's German! Congratulations to the winners, chosen through a lucky draw at the venue. Here are their names and their German connect:
1st PRIZE: AISHWARYA GOKHALE - "I was an exchange student to Minnesota, USA for a year (2011-12). There my best friend was an exchange student from Waldesch, Germany. We spent a lot of time together & talked about our respective culture too. And that encouraged me to learn German! Now I am learning German from MMB Pune and want to visit Germany and meet my best friend."
2nd PRIZE: SUCHETA DESHPANDE - "I have been learning German for the last 9 years & 2 years back I got the opportunity to visit Germany - the land of my dreams. I also got an opportunity to study a language course in Duisburg and stay with a German family. Experiencing what I learnt through all these years was like a dream come true."
3rd PRIZE: MRUNMAYEE PRATINIDHI - "I have been learning German for the last 4 years and that is how I know of Germany and their culture. Till now I have only seen pictures and videos of Germany, but now I want to visit Deutschland to experience everything myself and increase my knowledge."

The final pit stop of the Indo-German Urban Mela – Pune – yet again saw an amazing set of volunteers. We thank you all for your commitment and sincerity towards the job and the notable contribution that made the Indo-German Urban Mela in Pune a huge success! Hooray for our volunteers!

Punekars, it is our pleasure to announce Gabriella D'Cruz as the winner of Markus Heinsdorff's Photography Contest. Her entry will be featured in Markus Heinsdorff's upcoming book on Indian textile industry along with winning entries from Chennai and Delhi. Congratulations!

THANK YOU PUNE for making the Indo-German Urban Mela a huge success in your city. The 10-day festival could not have been possible without your enthusiasm and cooperation. Team "Germany and India 2011-2012: Infinite Opportunities" had an amazing time organising the event along with Max Mueller Bhavan Pune (Goethe-Institut) and we hope you also experienced a gala time there. Auf Wiedersehen!

© Germany and India 2011-2012: Infinite Opportunities

An important message for Punekars: We at the Indo-German Urban Mela are extremely overwhelmed by the response you have given us. But your safety and security comes first, thus the Karsh Kale Collectiv Concert stands cancelled today and the Indo-German Urban Mela closes its doors at 6 pm. We apologise for the inconvenience caused.

Don't forget to visit the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce (IGCC) pavilion at the Indo-German Urban Mela in Pune. The IGCC-SME pavilion at the Deccan College Ground is a platform for small and medium sized businesses and there are 7 companies participating. Know more at http://www.germany-and-india.com/en/event/576