Following the intervention of the Secretary-General of Hellenism Abroad and Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Greece, Mr. Ioannis Chrysoulakis, with the coordination of actions by all co-competent bodies, the way is opened for the teaching of the Greek language, for the first time, in secondary education institutions in India.
As a result of consultations with the Department of Foreign Education of the Ministry of Education, the introduction of the Greek language into the Curriculum of Saint Ignatius Schools and Orphanages in the Kolkata area is being promoted, commencing with the academic year 2024-25, with the inclusion of India in the jurisdiction of the Melbourne Education Coordinating Office.
The Saint Ignatius Schools and Orphanages (for Boys and Girls) in a rural area south of Kolkata operate under the administration of the Philanthropic Society of the Orthodox Church, an NGO founded by the Greek Orthodox Church. Sister Nektaria is the Director of the Schools and Orphanages and their operation is mainly based on donations from Organisations of the Greek Diaspora in the USA. Serious educational work is provided to approximately 650 children in the School and 125 in the Orphanage, in good quality school facilities and with a pleasant atmosphere, which are the fruit of the years of efforts of Sister Nektaria and the team that surrounds her.
The General Secretariat of Hellenism Abroad and Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the competent Directorates and in close cooperation with the Embassy of Greece in New Delhi, promotes a wide range of actions to strengthen and highlight the modern Greek element in the economically and culturally important area of Kolkata. This framework also includes the strengthening of the operation and the highlighting of monuments of Greek culture such as the Greek Orthodox Church of the Transfiguration of our Lord and the Greek Cemetery, the support of the Greek Club “Kyklos”, in which many Indian intellectuals participate, with the organization of Greek language courses, cultural events and the publication of translations into the Indian language of works of modern Greek literature, as well as the exchange of temporary exhibitions.
The General Secretariat of Hellenism Abroad and Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs systematically supports and promotes a network of actions aimed at further promoting the strategic and friendly relations between Greece and India in the most fruitful and mutually beneficial way.
