Commemorating 60 years of successful Indo-German Development Cooperation, a ‘touring exhibition’ opened in Bengaluru at the Goethe Institute. The exhibition was first launched in New Delhi in 2018. The touring exhibition in Bengaluru was opened by Margit Hellwig-Bötte, German Consul General. The event also witnessed participation from several Indian and German organisations in Bengaluru. The 60 years Touring Exhibition has been jointly developed by the German development agencies Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and KfW. These agencies are also responsible for implementing technical and financial cooperation on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and other commissioning parties. The exhibition showcased historical landmarks of Indo-German Development Cooperation, which began in 1958 with the establishment of IIT Madras, setting up the Foreman Training Institute in 1968 in Bengaluru, efforts to eradicate polio since 1996, support for the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna in 2008, setting up a 125-MW solar power plant in Sakri, Maharashtra and installation of solar panels on the rooftop of Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru in 2015.
Margit Hellwig-Bötte, German Consul General said, “Turning 60 is a very defining moment. This exhibition celebrates our joint achievements till now. But what we choose to address together in the future, will define another 60 years of our friendship. So let’s choose to be crusaders in fighting climate change and improving the livelihoods of people.” Speaking at the launch Dr. Venkatesh Tagat, Former CGM, NABARD, Bengaluru said, “My memories with Indo German Development Cooperation takes me back to early 1990’s when we collaborated for the Watershed program. Today after 25 years of an impactful collaboration and many successful projects behind us, I see this association leading many revolutionary changes across verticals.” Dr. Axel Beier, Deputy Director, Goethe Institute in Bengaluru mentioned, “We feel really honored to have everyone gather at this occasion as we will also celebrate the 60th year of Goethe Institute in 2019. We are also committed to the Indo German Cooperation and just like you we also strive to foster sustainability, progressive spirit, partnership and trust between India and Germany.” In the words Dr. Julie Reviere, Country Director of GIZ, “The Indo German Development Cooperation started with the formation of IIT Madras in 1958, a hallmark of sustainability. Since then,we have made significant contribution in areas of technology, vocational training, energy, health and agriculture in this country. We have had the support of partners like NABARD with whom we forged long term relationships to bring about a change in various fields. Bangalore holds a special significance because of our association with Foreman Institute, Chinnaswamy Stadium and Innovation in the agriculture sector.”
