The Commerce Office of Cultural Affairs (COCA) is a non-profit organization designed to facilitate communication between community residents and Texas A&M University-Commerce through cultural projects. Former interim head of the department of art and senior lecturer Michael Odom began organizing COCA about one-and-a-half years ago.

In January 2009, Odom made a proposal to the city council that his group organize an office of cultural affairs for Commerce. COCA was granted non-profit status in November and is independent of Commerce’s city government.

Odom said COCA had its origin in a group of community and university members who gathered at his home to discuss ways to “improve the interaction of the community and the university,” which he said has “historically” been a missed opportunity.

“There are plenty of people who work at the university who are individually involved with the operations of various departments in the city,” Odom said. “But we were looking at things we could do to improve the quality of life in this town.”

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The Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance (SACCA) has chosen four new board members to help further the reach of the growing nonprofit. Each new director brings extensive community experience to the table, honed from years of success in the business world and in leadership roles with a variety of arts and community associations.

The new board members – Beth Bank, Ben Hawkins, Don Luria and Kimberly Schmitz hail from different backgrounds but now they pursue together a common goal of strengthening the role of the arts in their community.

The organization’s Director Kate Marquez stated:  ”Their experience and expertise should enhance SACCA’s reputation in the community and aid the organization in its effort to expand its programs and offerings throughout Southern Arizona.”

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UNESCO is celebrating International Women’s Day (8 March) with a series of events at Headquarters in Paris from 8 to 19 March. The programme includes round tables, exhibitions, a concert and a film, all highlighting issues linked to women’s empowerment and the promotion of gender equality.

“International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate the victories of women the world over,” said the Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, in her message for the Day. “As societies grapple with multiple challenges from economic to environmental, I invite all UNESCO’s partners to make equal rights and equal opportunities for girls and women a top priority in all policies. It is the condition of a more secure, just and peaceful world.”

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It raises the profile of China's rival to Tibet's spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, whom China considers a dangerous separatist. The Chinese government chose Gyaincain Norbu to be the Panchen Lama in 1995.

But he is not widely accepted by Tibetan Buddhists as the true reincarnation of the Panchen Lama. The Tibetan boy selected by the Dalai Lama in the same year, Gendun Choekyi Nyima, disappeared soon afterwards - he and his family have not been seen since.

Gyaincain Norbu was one of 13 people to become members of the national committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) on Sunday, Xinhua reported.

The committee, made up private entrepreneurs as well as religious and cultural figures, cannot make laws or appoint officials - but its members are influential. Failed uprising And membership is highly sought after as an expression of closeness to the leadership in Beijing.

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One of the most vibrant festivals, Holi, marks the end of winter gloom and rejoices in the bloom of spring.

A symbol of victory of good over evil, beginning of summer, and end of cold and hardship, Holi is a celebration of the indomitable human spirit.

The festival spreads hope, unfettered joy, friendship and bright hues of colors. In India, streets come alive with throngs of people splashing bright orange, red and green colors as they meet each other and celebrate friendship and harmony. Indian people in the U.S. celebrate the festival with traditional fervor, spreading the message of unity and harmony amidst diversity. Each year, Holi events in the Tri-City area promise colors, music, dance, food and lots of fun for all ages.

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Culture is a term that defines the growth and development of a human being by the influence of the social and political situation. Indian culture is a blend of various cultures across the world, at different points in history and also its own rich traditions. Though development and modernity has set in. the people of India remain rooted in their strong and rich heritage.

The culture of India is made rich and diverse by several migrations and invasions from the 5000 year old history.Indian traditions and rituals It has an immense physical, religious, racial and linguistic variety. Indian culture is defined by the ideas, thoughts and philosophies prevalent in the country and its people. The uniqueness of Indian culture lies in its strong social system and family values. The elders are considered the driving force and so are respected and loved.

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Of all the folk tales of Punjab, Waris Shah’s Heer is the most widely read, recited (actually, sung), commented upon and quoted love story. People have even done Ph.Ds on it.

It is a very long poem, written in the Punjabi baint meter, comprising of 630 odd stanzas of 6 to 12 or more lines each.

Syed Waris Shah wrote it sometime in the 1760s. Rural folks in Punjab routinely gather, as they always did, at the end of a hard day’s work, under a tree or.

A chappar (thatched canopy) to smoke hukka and discuss and share the daily news, views and common problems. It is not uncommon at such gatherings for someone to sing a few passages from Heer.

Folks listen to it, mesmerized both by the melody and its contents. Older people would often quote.

A line or two from Waris Shah’s Heer as a piece of wisdom in their conversations. In fact, Heer is quoted by the rural folks more often than any other traditional book of wisdom.

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Organisers of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF) that begins next week have lined up a host of special programmes to mark the fair’s 20th anniversary. “It includes approximately 150 cultural events, such as book talks, poetry forums, seminars, workshops, discussion sessions, book signing, professional programmes and educational conferences,” said Mohammed Khalaf Al Mazrouei, director-general of Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH).

And, of course, there will be books. Taking place at the National Exhibition Centre here during March 2-7, the fair has attracted 800 exhibitors from 63 countries this year. Blaming the financial crisis, many Western publishers had to stay home last year, but this is no longer the case.

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The country’s free galleries and museums welcomed almost 23,000 extra visitors through their doors last year, new figures showed today. With falling numbers of Irish travelling abroad, more than three million culture vultures enjoyed domestic attractions such as the National Library and National Concert Hall.

Minister for Tourism Martin Cullen said the increased numbers were partly down to a number of high-profile exhibitions which pulled in the crowds. “Our museums and galleries continued to provide interesting and educational opportunities to visitors from home and abroad in what was a difficult year,” he added.

The most recent figures available show the number of Irish travelling overseas fell for the first time in 18 years in summer 2008 - down 12 per cent on the same period the previous year. Visits from abroad to Ireland were also down by more than a tenth in the first half of last year, with 400,000 less visitors between January and June.

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Nagas in Manipur and Nagaland celebrated their annual seed sowing festival of Lui-Ngai-Ni, unique to their cultural. Considered to be one of the biggest festivals for Nagas, Lui-Ngai-Ni, was celebrated in Senapati district in Manipur with pomp and gaiety, under the theme of 'Our Resources Our Future'.

Groups of young men and women belonging to various Naga tribes such as Anal, Chothe, Lamkang, Moyon, Monsang, Tarao and Maring presented their spectacular folk dances and songs. During this festival, they invoke God to shower their blessings on the sowed seeds so that it grows to yield a bumper harvest.

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