'A symbol of India's Olympic aspirations': Nita Ambani at opening ceremony of India House at Paris Olympics

A day after the Paris Olympics began with a glimmering opening ceremony that had the attention of the world, the India House, India’s first-ever country house at the Olympics, had a star-studded opening ceremony that saw some of India’s most famous names in attendance alongside IOC officials and administrators.

The Opening ceremony of the inaugural India House, conceptualized by Reliance Foundation as part of its partnership with IOA was attended by Nita Ambani - IOC member and Chairperson of Reliance Foundation, Ser Miang NG - IOC Committee member, P.T. Usha - President of the Indian Olympic Association, H.E. Mr. Jawed Ashraf-  Ambassador of India to France, Jay Shah - Honorary secretary of BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket India) and Abhinav Bindra - Olympic gold medallist on Saturday in Paris.

“Welcome to the first-ever India House in the history of the Olympics," Nita Ambani said while addressing the gathering. “Today we gather here at the Paris Olympic Games 2024 to open the doors to a dream, a dream that belongs to 1.4 million Indians. A dream to bring India to the Olympics and our shared dream to bring the Olympics to India," she added.

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Further, Nita Ambani said hoped that it won’t be long before India get to host the Olympics. “It is time that the flame, which was first lit in Athens, lights up in our ancient land, India. The day is not far when India will host the Olympic Games. May this be our collective resolve at the opening of the India House,” she continued.

“India House is envisioned as a symbol of India’s Olympic aspirations. We hope it becomes a home away from home for our athletes, a place where we honour them, salute their spirit and celebrate their achievements. India House is not a destination, it’s a new beginning for India,” stated Nita Ambani.

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“At India House, we welcome the world to experience the beauty, diversity and rich heritage of India right here in the heart of Paris", she said, in a message to the global audience of Paris.

Jawed Ashraf, Ambassador of France to India, said: “We are witnessing a grand opening of a spectacular India House, the first ever in the history of the Olympics. So congratulations and a big thank you to Mrs Ambani and Reliance Foundation for putting this up."

This is for the first-ever time that the India House has been setup in the history of the Olympics. The India House initiative is conceptualised by Reliance Foundation as a part of their partnership with the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and offers fans with an immersive experience on Indian arts and culture, sports, technology and gastronomy.