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European Union felicitates actor Anil Kapoor at the Europe Day celebrations

24.05.2019
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Recognizes his contribution to strengthening people-to-people ties and social causes

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Mumbai, 17 May 2019: The Delegation of the European Union to India and the Council of EU Chambers of Commerce in India today felicitated actor and producer Anil Kapoor for his artistic achievements, contributions to EU-India cultural ties as well as his activism for social causes. He was recognized during the Europe Day celebration organized in Mumbai.

 

Europe Day, held on 9th May every year, marks the foundation of the European Union and celebrates peace and unity in Europe. Europe Day 2019 also celebrates the strong partnership between India and the European Union. H.E. Mr. Tomasz Kozlowski, Ambassador, European Union to India, H.E. Mr. Artis Bertulis, Ambassador of Latvia to India and H.E. Ms. Eleonora Dimitrova, Ambassador of Bulgaria to India and Consul Generals of EU Members States, Non Member States and senior representatives of European and Indian Companies were part of the event.

Anil Kapoor has contributed immensely to the Indian and International film industry and through it, connected and inspired people across the world, including in the European Union and India. Besides the European Union (EU) countries being one of the favorite destinations for shooting Bollywood movies, these films are leaving a mark on the European film circuit.

Cinema, transcending borders, is a strong bridge-builder between the people of Europe and India. While the European Union has hosted the annual EU Film Festival (EUFF) for over two decades, numerous Indian films have been shot in Europe including many of Mr. Kapoor's. Films through the years, such as Sangam (1964), An Evening in Paris (1967), Silsila (1981), Chandni (1989), Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011), Queen (2014), and Race 3 (2018) have been extensively filmed across Europe. These films, while providing a window for the broader public to a unique continent, have also played a key role in bringing the two cultures closer and strengthened people-to-people ties.

Presenting the Citation to Kapoor, H.E. Tomasz Kozlowski said Mr. Anil Kapoor is a distinguished exponent in the art of acting and master of his craft." He has also lent his support to various important social causes, including various programmes promoting women and girl child rights, which are also supported by the European Union.

"He has contributed immensely to the Indian and International film industry and through it connected and inspired many people of the world," he added.

"As an organization, which has always been a strong advocate for the advancement of women empowerment, girl child rights, and equality, the EU would like to felicitate Mr. Kapoor for his principled stand and relentless efforts in these areas," said the Ambassador of EU to India.

Mr Kapoor has also lent his support to various important social causes, including various programmes promoting women and girl child rights, which are also supported by the European Union. "As an organization which has always been a strong advocate for the advancement of women empowerment, girl child rights and equality, the European Union would like to felicitate him for his contribution and relentless efforts in these areas," H.E. Tomasz Kozlowski, Ambassador of the European Union to India said while felicitating Mr. Kapoor.   

After receiving the citation, an overwhelmed Anil Kapoor expressed his gratitude and said, "It's been very educative, very emotional and one of the best evening of my career. I don't know if I deserve this honour but I want to thank you (Tomasz Kozlowski) for giving me this honour." He also added, "It’s such an honour to be associated with such important and inextricably intertwined issues like Sustainable Development Goals & Women’s Rights. These issues are very close to my heart and I strongly believe that each one of us can make significant contributions in this space. I'm grateful for the opportunity to help bring more light to these subjects and I'm glad I could help in spreading awareness and making a difference in my own small way!”

 

Emphasizing on the need to strengthen Europe-India ties, Anil added, "Europe and India have a lot of things in common, we should encourage that our ties become better and better."

 

Mr. Nicolas Simon, the President of EU Chambers welcomed the guests and said EU Chamber is happy to organize Europe Day by felicitating Mr. Anil Kapoor and he presented a memento. Dr. Renu Shome, the Director of EU Chambers formally thanked Mr. Anil Kapoor for being the part of Europe Day and thanked all present.

 

Europe Day, held on 9 May, marks the anniversary of the historical 'Schuman declaration'. At a speech in Paris in 1950, Robert Schuman, the then French foreign minister, set out his idea for a new form of political cooperation in Europe, which would make war between Europe's nations unthinkable. His vision was to create a European institution that would pool and manage coal and steel production. A treaty creating such a body was signed just under a year later. Schuman's proposal is considered to be the beginning of what is now the European Union.

About the European Union (EU):

The EU, which consists of 28 countries, has the world's largest economy and its third largest population, after China and India. Though richly diverse, the countries that make up the EU (its 'Member States') are all committed to the same basic values: peace, democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights. They have set up common institutions so that decisions on matters of joint interest can be made democratically at European level. By creating a frontier-free single market and a single currency (the euro) which has been adopted by 19 Member States, the EU has given a significant boost to trade and employment.

 

EU-India relations:

For over 57 years the EU and India have worked together to reduce poverty, prevent disasters, expand trade, and promote joint research in energy, health, agriculture and many other fields of mutual interest. The EU is India’s largest trading partner, accounting for 13.19% of India’s overall trade in goods, ahead of China (11.66%) and the United States (9.68%).  The EU is the second largest investor in India (after Mauritius and is the primary destination for Indian foreign investment. The EU unveiled a new Strategy on India in November 2018 which aims to further strengthen the Strategic Partnership by focusing on common responses to global and regional issues and on four focus areas: Sustainable modernisation, Climate Change, Trade and Investment, and Innovation along with strengthening people-to-people ties. More information at: http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/india

 

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