Indian Ambassador to Austria Shambhu Kumaran on Wednesday read stories from the Panchatantra to school children in Vienna, an initiative the Indian Embassy termed 'Gurukul Diplomacy'. The event took place at a local school where the ambassador engaged young students with the ancient Indian fables.
German Translation Published for Austrian Students
The Indian Embassy in Vienna recently published a German-language translation of the Panchatantra specifically for Austrian school children. This translation aims to make the timeless tales accessible to a broader audience in Austria, fostering cross-cultural understanding.
Cultural Bridge Across Continents
Ambassador Kumaran expressed pride in the activity, describing it as an opportunity to build a cultural bridge between India and Austria. He noted that the children quickly connected with the Panchatantra stories, which are designed to teach moral lessons and practical wisdom. 'Heart warming to see Austrian kids connecting so easily with the Panchatantra. Pleased to be part of this cultural bridge that connects continents and generations with a few colourful stories,' he wrote on X.
The ambassador also thanked Austrian cartoonist Klaus Pitter for providing vibrant illustrations for the book, which helped bring the stories to life for the young audience.
Ongoing Engagement with Panchatantra
This event is part of a series of Panchatantra readings by Ambassador Kumaran across Austria. In June, the Indian Embassy, in collaboration with the city of Vienna and the 'Bounce Back' project at local schools, launched a video podcast series titled 'Stories from the Panchatantra'. The series is narrated by renowned Austrian podcaster Thomas Brezina in German.
At the launch event, over fifty enthusiastic students from a Viennese school participated as Ambassador Kumaran read selected stories and discussed the characters and lessons with the children. The Panchatantra, an ancient Indian collection of interconnected animal fables, was originally composed to teach young princes principles of wise conduct, leadership, and practical life skills.
