Party like a European

The Europe Day celebrations was much more than just good food and fine wine.

Guests to the 55th Europe Day celebrations on May 9 had much more to look forward to than just good food and fine wine. The mood within the Union is upbeat, especially in the light of its rapid growth. “The integration process began in 1950 with just a handful of nations. Now there are 25 member countries and the list is growing,” said Francisco Da Camara Santa Clara Gomes, head of delegation, European Union in India.

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This year the European Commission had also hosted an essay contest for young Indian journalists to exchange views on social and political issues. The participants were given four topics — ‘Cultural diversity: the richness that defines both Europe and India’, ‘Regional cooperation: Can the EU be a role model for South Asia’, ‘The EU and India: Can they together deliver on multilateral trade liberalisation’, and ‘Emerging geo-political scenario: EU and India as strategic partners’. The winners were chosen on the basis of originality and subject knowledge.

Charubala Annuncio, senior special correspondent of Outlook, won the first prize, while Sameer Chander Mohindru of CRISIL MarketWire and Lalitha Sridhar, consulting editor, Outlook walked away with the second and third prize respectively.

“Both the EU and India are so culturally diverse that talking about them in just 2000 words was a big challenge,” said Sridhar.

Also making a late entry and quick exit was celebrated artist Satish Gujral along with his wife Kiran. Commenting on the celebrations, he said, “If they can be united with so many nations, why can’t we do the same with Pakistan and other SAARC nations.”

As wine and cheese did the rounds, so did some serious banter on international relations.