Ahmedabad, 27th June 2021.
A one of its kind, ZEN Garden and KAIZEN Academy was inaugurated by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi virtually on the campus of the prestigious Ahmedabad Management Association (AMA) on Sunday. The Zen Garden has several fascinating traditional Japanese elements including Red Bridge Guzei, Shoji Interior, Glory of Tori, a 3D art mural, fusion Chabutaro. It has other popular elements like Taki waterfall, Tsukubai basin, and Kimono scroll. It has been attractively decorated with a backlit Nihongo painting in the Kaizen Hall, which is an exquisite display. There are rare and unique Yokoso Bonsai plantations around the garden.
In his opening speech, Shri Modi said, “What is ‘Zen’ in Japan is ‘Dhyan’ in India. Inner peace, along with outer progress and growth, is a hallmark of the two cultures. Talking about the significance of Kaizen practice, Shri Modi said,” Kaizen is being used in many departments, institutions, and schemes of the Central Government now.
PM elaborated on his vision of creating a Mini-Japan in Gujarat, and said, ”More than 135 companies, ranging from automobile, banking to construction and pharma, have made Gujarat their base. We have the confidence of centuries old cultural relations and also a common vision for the future”.
“This unique creation ‘Zen Garden–Kaizen Academy’ is a joint endeavour of the Japan Information & Study Centre at the AMA and the Indo-Japan Friendship Association (IJFA), Gujarat, supported by the Hyogo International Association (HIA) Japan. Named as Smt. Padma Jay Krishna Japanese Zen Garden, I mean it to promote the Kaizen Spirit of ‘Forever in Pursuit of Excellence” and Japanese Soft Skills & Business Culture’ said Mukesh Patel, President of IJFA Gujarat and founder of Japan Information and Study Centre, at AMA.
“The Scintillating Ambience of the Kaizen Academy supported by KHS Machinery adjoins the elegance and beauty of a traditional Japanese Zen Garden. Zen-Kaizen at the AMA Campus showcases several elements of Japanese Art, Culture, Landscape and Architecture unfolding Japan in its Vibrant Colour and Splendor,” informed Yatindra Sharma, Chairman of Economic Co-operation Council, IJFA and MD of KHS Machinery Ltd.
The presence also graced the occasion. Mr. ToshizoIdo, Hon’ble Governor, Hyogo Prefecture, Shri Nitin Bhai Patel, Dy CM of Gujarat, and of Mr. Sujan R. Chinoy, former Ambassador of India to Japan.
Among other Dignitaries who conveyed their Greetings were. The Ambassador of Japan in India, Mr. Satoshi Suzuki, Ambassador of India in Japan, Mr. Sanjay Kumar Verma, and Mr Ashok Kumar Chawla, Advisor (Japan) at the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi .
“The Hyogo Prefectural Government through the Hyogo International Association Gifted to AMA a variety of artistic and decorative Awaji Tiles, a Specialty Product of Hyogo, for the Garden Pavements, Gazebo, and walls. This was a magnanimous gesture to further the Hyogo Gujarat Friendship Mission,” added Mr. Deevyesh Radia, Vice President of AMA.
About INDO-JAPAN FRIENDSHIP ASSOCIATION (IJFA), GUJARAT
The Indo-Japan Friendship Association, Gujarat (IJFA) was founded in 1975, for promoting enduring goodwill. And friendship and creating better understanding and co-operation between India and Japan on academic, business, and cultural fronts.
Since 2009 IJFA through the Japan Information & Study Centre at AMA has successfully organized diverse programs and activities, including Learning of Conversational Japanese Language, Exhibitions on Japanese Dolls, Toys, Arts and Crafts, Film Festivals of Award Winning Japanese Films, Japanese Dance, and Music Troupe Performances, Ikebana and Bonsai Workshops, Karate Demonstrations, Talks and Seminars on Indo- Japanese Business and Economic Cooperation, and organizing visits of Delegations from Gujarat to Japan and facilitating reciprocal delegations to Gujarat.
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