Diplomacy. News. Analysis
|
|
TRANQUILITY: At Home With the Polish Envoy |
 |
 |
 |
|
 Art and music are both intrinsically interwoven into our everyday lives. This is true and can be seen through the Polish Ambassador to Kenya, MS ANNA GRUPINSKA who is an avid art fan and also loves Classical music. CAROL KIIRU enjoyed an afternoon chat with her
A drive down the leafy quiet suburbs of Muthaiga and the feeling of being at peace with nature is suddenly thrust at me. I almost feel like I should walk on tiptoe due to the tranquility which pervades the atmosphere. I finally get to my destination at the Polish Ambassador’s residence and as soon as I drive in I am taken aback by the beautiful and well manicured lawns.
I am led into the house and welcomed warmly by the Ambassador. Grupinska is a bubbly lady with so much life and grandeur and this I notice as soon as she greets me. She is an enchanting host. She leads me to sit on artistic seats made from quietly-coloured fabric.
As soon as I settle in the soft cushions, I take in the house and one thing that stands out is the works of art present everywhere in the living area: abstract paintings, African art, table tops, marbles that decorate the coffee tables and the colour used in her house all complement each other. Which leads me to ask, what interests you in art?
|
|
|
NEVER SAY DIE: Slow but Sure Recovery Inspires Hope for Japan |
|
|
|
|
 Last year tested Japan’s national resilience greatly. A huge earthquake, a devastating tsunami and a resulting nuclear meltdown wreaked devastation on the country on massive scale. In the build-up to the first anniversary of the triple tragedies, DIPLOMAT EAST AFRICA’S KWENDO OPANGA interviewed Japan’s ambassador to Kenya His ExcellencyTOSHIHISA TAKATA
Japan will on March 11 commemorate the first anniversary of the earthquake and tsunami that, says His Excellency Toshihisa Takata, visited on the country the worst catastrophe in its post-war history. Takata, Japan’s ambassador to Kenya, told Diplomat East Africa (DEA) in an interview that the number of people so far confirmed dead and those unaccounted for stands at nearly 20,000.
And Takata further said so far about 70,000 people are leaving in temporary shelters. “Yes, the earthquake and tsunami especially caused significant damage to infrastructure, people’s lives, livelihoods and property,” he said.Speaking slowly, softly and thoughtfully, he recalled that many people lost loved ones “and on March 11, they and all Japanese will come together to look back and pray for the souls of the departed to rest in eternal peace”.
|
|
India Marks 63rd Republic Day in Style |
|
|
|
 Amid ripples of patriotic exuberance marked with the usual pomp and pageantry, a strong and burgeoning India has celebrated its 63 rd Republic with a stirring display of the country’s military prowess and alluring air power, and a touch of its rich and diverse cultural heritage.This year the highlight of the day late last month, which commemorates the proclamation of India as a Republic in 1950, was the unveiling of India’s latest military ordnance acquisition - the C-130-J Super Hercules tactical aircraft and the 3,000 kms range Agni-IV missile, which has nuclear proficiencies and is capable any of the country’s neighbors. Attended by India’s President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and tens of thousands of patriots amid tight security, the ceremony observed on January 29th of every year marks the culmination of a four-day-long Republic Day celebrations. Being the most popular of the three national days in India, the day is marked with an impressive parade centered in the capital, New Delhi with similar celebrations presided by state governors taking place in all other major cities countrywide.
|
|
ARAB SPRING: Egypt Gears Up for New Constitution Amid Turmoil |
|
|
|
 The transition to complete civilian rule hangs in the balance, following proposals in the new constitution that allowed military generals to appoint up to 80 percent of the constitutional committee. This angered the masses who took to the streets in protests again recentlyEgypt’s first post-Mubarak constitution, whose drawing process is set to begin in April, will allow the country’s top leadership to relinquish power honourably and with their dignity intact as it limits the presidential tenure to only two terms of four years each, a top official in the Egyptian military-backed interim government has said. This means that a democratically elected president will constitutionally be allowed to serve for a maximum of eight years – if he or she manages to get elected again after serving the first four years.
|
|
|
|
|
|
