Once again, the Indo-Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry presents a series of exciting and glamorous festivals that have now become eagerly awaited annual events in India and Italy.

The first in a series of initiatives by the Indo-Italian Chamber this year, NAMASTE INDIA will be held in Rome from July 10 to 18. It will feature the latest trends in Indian Fashion, Cinema, Culture and Technology, with leading Indian personalities: Ms Sayali Bhagat, Femina Miss India World; Fashion Designer Suneet Varma, who has been invited to show his collection at Rome’s Alta Roma fashion week; and top restaurateur, Rahul Akerkar of Indigo. The State of Andhra Pradesh will be the Partner State and provide several cultural and economic events.

The concept of namaste india came about following the huge success of the first Festa Italiana, organised by the Chamber in 2002, which brought to Mumbai a taste of the best of Italy in a wide variety of fields. To return the compliment, the Chamber took the opportunity of Milan Fashion Week, which, for the first time, featured an Indian fashion designer, Tarun Tahiliani, to take the best of India to Italy, as namaste india.

The 2004 edition of Rome will have a different flavour from the Milan edition, as Rome is the political capital of Italy as well as a major economic centre for the country’s cinema, IT, pharmaceutical and tourism sectors. “As with Milan, Rome has a very sophisticated market and is a major consumer of luxury goods,” says Mr Narinder Nayar, President of the Indo-Italian Chamber of Commerce. “It possesses a very Italian character, which, at the same time, perfectly blends with the presence of a strong international community and a well represented Indian and South Asian population.

• A Gala Evening will launch the week-long programme at Rome’s famed Hassler Hotel, which overlooks the iconic Spanish Steps. Attended by the glitterati of the city, the exclusive function will include Cocktails and Dinner.
• A Fashion Show for Suneet Varma’s collection will be one of the prominent events of the festival, presented by top Indian models. Additionally, Mr Varma will have a Showroom in the Hassler Hotel, to display his collection and hold interviews with the Press and Buyers.
• A Food Festival in collaboration with the Hassler, will feature the exotic and unique flavours conjured up by Top Chef Rahul Akerkar of Indigo, one of India’s leading restaurants.
• A Film Festival will screen daily the best of Bollywood Hits and Indian Art Cinema. It will be inaugurated in the presence of a High-level Delegation from the film industry, which will comprise major film producers and directors, in Italy to scout for new locations. They will visit the famed Cinecittà studios and the Rai broadcast channel. The Andhra Pradesh Government will give a presentation of its film industry and opportunities for cooperation.
• Entertainment will be provided by Odissi Dancers, and by Ila Arun, the Queen of Folk-Pop, offering the public of Rome a taste of the Contemporary and Classical Arts of India.
• Piazza India located in a prominent Roman square in the Trastevere district, will be a dedicated venue for exhibitions and a meeting point for exploring business possibilities. There will be an Info Desk cum Press Office, and events will include Demonstrations by Handicraft artisans from Andhra Pradesh.
• Businesess Delegations and Seminars on Cinema, Tourism, and the partner state of Andhra Pradesh (Pharma, Biotech, IT) will also be organised, in order to give a clear business oriented flavour to the Festival.