500th issue of India’s Arabic magazine, Sawtul-Hind, commemorated in Egypt

Indian Embassy in Egypt has come out with the 500th edition of the flagship Arabic magazine Sawtul-Hind. 

The magazine, which acts as an interface between the two countries, is being published by the Indian Embassy in Egypt for the past six decades and its commemorative issue was celebrated at a ceremony here yesterday.

Organised by the Indian embassy, the commemoration ceremony held in Zamalek was attended by Indias ambassador to Egypt Sanjay Bhattacharyya with Egyptian Minister of Culture Helmi el-Namnam being the Chief Guest, besides a large number of diplomats, thinkers, writers, university professors.

"Sawtul Hind devoted much effort in recording the deep connections at the social and popular level between the people of our two countries. It noted how our ancient civilisations grew around noble rivers far apart but were united by the seas. It observed how our relations swelled with trade, economic and scientific exchanges," Bhattacharyya said.

"It contributed profoundly to promotion of literary and artistic works and sharing joys of the present and dreams of the future as a participant in our vibrant cultural exchanges, especially the growing exchanges between people," he said.

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Sawtul Hind, whose first edition was published in 1952, is and continues to be an interface between India and Egypt and the Arab world at large, by collating information on both countries political cooperation, economic engagement and cultural ties.

"This year, as we celebrate India@70, marking 70 years of our independence and 70 years of diplomatic ties with friendly Egypt, we also commemorate the 500th edition of Sawtul Hind," Bhattacharyya said.

"It makes us proud that there is a cultural magazine published by an Embassy which is being published in Egypt for over 50 years on regular basis," Helmi said.

The Minister also said that the magazine was first established at a time when Egypt and India were experiencing political changes and has witnessed the strong relations between former Egyptian President Gamal Abel Naser and Indias first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru as well as former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and former Egyptian President Anwar el-Sadat.

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"Sawtul Hind is a great magazine, one who follows its first issues will notice that some of its writers were Egyptian writes Tawfik el-Hakim, Abass Mahmoud el-Akad, Ahmed Kasem Goda and a number of big writes at that time," the Minister said.

A photo exhibition displaying various covers of the magazine was also organised as part of the commemoration.Oriental Music group from the Egyptian Ministry of Culture performed at the ceremony.