Message from Nobuyasu Kaneko, President, Discover India Club (DIC)

I am Kaneko, and I am working as chairman of DIC in May 2024 following Mr. Malik, the first chairman, and Mr. Kanokogi, the second chairman. Please accept my best regards.

I would like to thank you all for your understanding and cooperation in the activities of the DIC. My involvement in Indian cultural exchange dates back to 1993, when I founded the Yokohama Indian Cultural Exchange Committee, a Japan-India citizen's group in Yokohama, 31 years back. After that I started the Diwali festival ‘Diwali In Yokohama’ 20 years back. Many of the members of the DIC have become acquainted with each other through Diwali.

Around 14 years ago, Mr. Kanokogi, the former president of the DIC, suggested that we should establish DIC together . We decided that our experience and know-how from the Yokohama Indian Cultural Exchange Society and Diwali in Yokohama would be of help, and together with you people, we established the DIC 11 years ago. We held an Indian concert at Totsuka Sakura Hall to commemorate the establishment of the DIC. It seems like it happened just few days ago.

In the current era which is called the era of India, the situation has changed dramatically from 31 years ago when I started the India Cultural Exchange Committee, as well as from 11 years ago when DIC was established. The roles required for Japan-India exchange organizations have also changed. Under these circumstances, I hope that the DIC will continue to work together with you all to contribute to the sustainable development of Japan-India and the Earth through Japan-India exchange.

DIC members and all those interested in India have a wide range of experience, know-how, and networks that can contribute greatly to Japan-India relations and the sustainable development of Japan-India relations. This will greatly contribute to Japan-India exchanges and the sustainable development of Japan and India. For this purpose, let's freely exchange the ideas and work together to realize the opinions and ideas expressed. DIC is a wonderful organization that can contribute to society and the earth. Let's think seriously about what is necessary for today's India Japan exchange and what we can do now, and let's proceed together with a smile and a happy heart!

We invite all who are interested in Japan-India relations to join the Discover India Club and work together to promote friendship and cooperation between the two countries. The strong ties between the two countries will contribute to peace and stability not only between our two countries but also in the world. We look forward to your participation in DIC.

Born in Aichi Prefecture in 1954 and graduated from Yokohama City University in 1977. He joined the City of Yokohama, where he worked for a long time in national and local government policy making and planning and coordination of new projects . He has a strong interest in Japan-India relations and has been involved in Japan-India cultural exchange for a long time as a core member of the establishment of the Yokohama-India Cultural Exchange Committee in 1993, founder of Diwali In Yokohama in 2003, and the establishing the DIC in 2013.　He works as part-time lecturer at Yokohama City University, Aichi University, etc.　

[Past Presidents]

Born in India in 1934, Mr. Malik graduated from Punjab University in 1956, and has served as member of WHO World Health Organization, UNDP United Nations Development Program, United Nations University, and as president of Urayasu Foreign Residents Association.
He also served as a part-time lecturer at Keio University.
He passed away on October 14, 2022 at the age of 88.

Born in Osaka in 1936 Graduated from Chuo University.
He joined Japan-India Association in 1971. Still loves India and has many Indian friends, He has been active in Japan-India relations for many years and has traveled to India more than 60 times.
He has traveled to India more than 60 times. He was the Executive Director of the Japan-India Society of India and has been active in grassroots exchange between India and Japan since his retirement.