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Vadodara Welcomes 150 Foreign Delegates for AIKYAM 2026 Cultural Diplomacy Initiative
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News18•11-10-2026, 19:30
Vadodara Welcomes 150 Foreign Delegates for AIKYAM 2026 Cultural Diplomacy Initiative
- •Vadodara recently hosted 150 foreign delegates, including ambassadors from over 30 countries, for a two-day cultural diplomacy initiative named AIKYAM 2026 – Rasa & Realism.
- •Organised by Sopaan, the event aimed to showcase the city's royal heritage, art, and vibrant local traditions to international audiences.
- •Delegates explored prominent landmarks including the Maharaja Fatesinh Museum, Lakshmi Vilas Palace, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park.
- •The itinerary featured engaging art discussions with Maharani Radhikaraje Gaekwad and Deborah Swallow, traditional wrestling akhada visits, and authentic Gujarati textile tours.
- •International guests experienced local festivities by attending a grand garba event at Lakshmi Vilas Palace and visiting the Vadodara Navratri Festival.
Key Questions Answered
The two-day cultural diplomacy initiative, titled "AIKYAM 2026 – Rasa & Realism," was organised to foster dialogue and showcase Vadodara's royal heritage, art, and vibrant local traditions to international audiences.
The delegates visited the Maharaja Fatesinh Museum, toured the Lakshmi Vilas Palace, explored the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, visited a local wrestling akhada, and experienced a grand garba event and a Navratri dinner.
The initiative was organised by Sopaan in partnership with ten European embassies in India, with support from Gujarat Tourism, the European Union Delegation to India, the Vadodara Municipal Corporation, the Baroda Heritage Trust, and the Federation of Gujarat Industries.
