‘France in Manipal’ festival a hit at MIT

Times of India

Manipal, Feb 24: Manipal University is in a vibrant mood, celebrating their French festival christened ‘France in Manipal’, which began on Friday evening at MIT, Manipal.

The festival has all the ingredients of a mega carnival, with mouth-watering French cuisine, music and films. It is a joint venture of Manipal University, Manipal, and the Embassy of France, New Delhi.

The fest was inaugurated by Prof Rajashekaran P Warrier, vice-chancellor of Manipal University, at Quadrangle, MIT, on Friday evening. Warrier said that despite France excelling in fields like technology, culture, fashion and literature, the lack of English language still deprived them of their share of global recognition. Even for students in India, who aspire to pursue higher studies in France, the language comes as a hurdle.

He lauded the French Embassy for taking this initiative at Manipal, which would go a long way in understanding and having meaningful interaction between France and India. Phillippe Martineau, attache for University cooperation, Dr Bruno Rouot, scientific attache, Jean Louis Poli, economic counsellor for the Embassy of France in India, New Delhi, and others were present.

The centre of attraction of the ‘France in Manipal’ fest was the presence of celebrity French chef Alien Andre from Paris at the French food festival organised by the hotel management students of Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration (WGSHA), Manipal, on Friday. A long queue of French food lovers in front of Valley View Hotel confirmed the citizens’ liking for French delicacies and wines.

Talking to mediapersons, Andre said wine procured from different places in France tastes differently. Wine from Bordeaux has the taste of the sea, while Burgundy wine was another famed variety, he informed.

Students of WGSHA picked up the secrets of French recipes from Andre, as he dished out 25 varieties of dishes and delicacies through Friday and Saturday.