Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths’ (JENESYS) Programme 2019
Japan is a country that fascinates the world by its unique amalgamation of modernity and tradition. I personally have always been intrigued by its futuristic technologies and lifestyle but had never thought that I’d be given a chance to visit this wonderful country.
My happiness knew no bounds when I came to know that I had been nominated from Forest Research Institute Deemed to be University to participate in ‘Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths’ (JENESYS) Programme 2019. I got an opportunity to be part of a 10 member delegation from India invited by Government of Japan for a fully funded 10 days visit to their country from 25.11.2019 to 3.12.2019. I met students from not only other eminent Indian Institutes but from all other SAARC countries participating in the programme as well.
As our programme was based on the theme ‘Agriculture’, it commenced with the address by the Speaker from Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, who familiarized us with the status of the Country’s agriculture sector and state-of-the-art technologies in smart agriculture such as the unmanned tractors, tomato harvest robots, automated rice planting machines etc.
We learnt about the strengths, allures and values of Japan through our visit to various institutions such as the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization Tokyo, where we were shown the world’s first blue colored transgenic variety of chrysanthemum and fluorescent silk fiber. At Tokyo Agriculture University, we interacted with the students and discussed about the ongoing research.
We were taken to various places besides Tokyo to understand Japan beyond its metropolis. We observed working of local farm based industries, witnessed Japan’s traditional culture by visiting one of Japan’s premier historic castle, Matasumoto and 7th Century built Zenkoji Temple in Nagano. We experienced firsthand the warmth and hospitality of the Japanese in the homestays which ended with a delightful farewell party full of multicultural cuisine, music and dance.
On the last day, we travelled back to Tokyo to report to the Ambassadors of our respective countries about our learnings from the programme. It was a grand gathering of diplomats and delegations of Japan and SAARC countries.
As the Japanese say, “Ichi-go ichi-e” it was perhaps a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’ to be part of a programme that allowed me to see such a unique part of the world. I shall forever be thankful to my Institute for providing me such an invaluable experience whose learnings have ingrained in me for lifetime.
Bhavya Thapa
M.Sc. Environment Management (IVth Semester)
FRI Deemed to be University, Dehradun
