President leaves for India | The Herald March 8, 2016
Morris Mkwate Sunday Mail News Editor
President Mugabe left for India yesterday to attend the World Cultural Festival which opens in the capital New Delhi this week.
Vice President Mnangagwa is Acting President.
The President, who is travelling with Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi and other senior Government officials, was seen off at Harare International Airport by Vice Presidents Emmerson Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko, Cabinet ministers and service chiefs.
The festival celebrates cultural diversity across the globe and highlights growing unity among humans.
Several world leaders are expected to attend, with some scheduled to address thousands from various countries, religions and cultures.
Top musical and arts groups will then spice things up with performances that depict cultural diversity.
The event has been organised by The Art of Living, an educational and humanitarian organisation that promotes peace via conflict resolution, disaster relief, education for all, sustainable rural development, women empowerment, environmental sustainability and prisoner rehabilitation.
Philanthropist and spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar of India founded the organisation in 1981, and has helped 370 million-plus people in 155 countries.
All programmes are premised on Sri Sri’s philosophy, “Unless we have a stress-free mind and a violence-free society, we cannot achieve world peace”.
The Art of Living says: “Culture binds us together and showcases our diversity. The underlying joy that culture brings resonates across the globe. “When we celebrate culture, we celebrate all our communities and enjoy the different expressions of the commonality. Building bridges between people and nations; it is culture that preserves our roots and deepens our bonds.”
Zimbabwe, too, is promoting cultural diversity and rural development. In September 2015, President Mugabe extracted the Culture component from the then Sports, Arts and Culture Ministry and fashioned out a full-fledged portfolio focused on Rural Development and Cultural Heritage.
COMMENTS
Does Mugabe really have to attend some of these festivals? Why can’t he delegate and save a lot of money instead of carrying such a huge entourage for something that will not bring any benefit to Zimbabwe.
For starters where is there culture in Zimbabwe. O! well, there’s always the chance that he will not return…. I hope.
It is ironic that some of the worst dictators and maligning leaders rush to such an event to dose off and bring no results home. For some leaders flying around the globe has become a personal pastime. Just after having a bash while people dying of hunger, one chooses to take another group on a long trip just after having spent the Christmas vacation in Dubai while people back home were not paid adequately. What a shame.
Tonyme I agree entirely its been a fairytale year for RGM – long holiday, lengthy 21st February birthday celebrations, mess about with AU then off to India for a spot of culture…clear zero effort going into Zimbabwe’s huge problems….a case of Nero fiddling (v cultural) while Rome burns…..
Mugabe never misses the chance to go on a gallivant to attend far away events that bring absolutely nothing of value to Zimbabwe. Perhaps it is just an excuse to get his very large per diem expenses for himself and all his praise singers going with him. And this while many at home in Zimbabwe are dying of starvation.
Can’t wait for this walking dead to die.
Yes Mugabe has a lot to answer for. Hopefully in this life, but if not, in the hereinafter.
So bloody disgusting. Some one should shoot the damn plane!! mxm
please don’t come back
Mugabe is just taking the pss out of the Zimbabwean people as usual.36 years of being conned ??????
“Zimbabwe, too, is promoting cultural diversity….”
Really?? Ask gays and lesbians. Ask white farmers. Ask any minority in the country. Ask artists and musicians. Ask playwrights and authors. Ask broadcasters and radio stations. Ask journalists and editors.
Zimbabwe is a fascist country lead by a fascist dictator.
“Unless we have a stress-free mind and a violence-free society, we cannot achieve world peace”.
So what is Mr Degrees in Violence going to India to do?
He is looking to selling his diamonds directly to the Indians. Stuff his own people he cares for no one. Hope he does a painful death
The president is to old for those trips.
we read this in the Herald article…
“Zimbabwe, too, is promoting cultural diversity….”
Really?? Ask gays and lesbians. Ask white farmers. Ask any minority in the country. Ask artists and musicians. Ask playwrights and authors. Ask broadcasters and radio stations. Ask journalists and editors.
Zimbabwe is a fascist country lead by a fascist dictator.
“Unless we have a stress-free mind and a violence-free society, we cannot achieve world peace”.
So what is Mr Degrees in Violence going to India to do?
This article should confirm 100% that the herald publishes lies ALL THE TIME. The President never even got to the airport, let alone to India. The Herald is a deceitful, lying, rotten -to -the-core newspaper that also publishes hate speech. I hope that when pf die your paper also dies – it’s clearly a waste of paper. Grow up and get it right. You are part of the problem, why not do a proper days job of work and become part of the solution instead.