Sari & Sushi —

Bridging the cultural gap

Twenty-five years — quarter of a century. That's how long Adarsh Sharma has lived in Japan. She likes to say that she was
born in India, but blossomed in Japan. And blossomed she has. Her work in international understanding and cultural exchange progra-ms has often caught the media's attention, resulting in two TV programs made on her lifestyle and her work.

So, how did all this start?

As one of the youngest university profe-ssors in Punjab State, India, where Sharma was born, it was her task to act as interpreter for a group of Japanese professors. Little did she know then that this would lead to marri-age, a new life in Japan, a new career and motherhood.

"When I first came to Japan I lived in Sakai, Osaka, which is known as Japan's gateway for culture and trade, it was there
I met people from the four corners of the world. At that time I joined an international friendship circle that brought all these different nationalities together."

It was also at that time that Sharma realized there was a cultural gap, not only between Japanese people and their foreign guests, but between the different nationali-ties as well.

"There was the wrong assumption on the part of many Japanese that foreign people came to live in Japan because they were very poor in their own countries and needless to say, there was a lot of stereotyping going on in all quarters. I asked myself, in what way can I contribute to bring about better understanding." Her answer was to go all out taking part in cultural activities, cultural exchange, giving lectures on Indian culture, and finally becoming a board member of Nara NPO Center.

"This center acts as a hub connecting other NPO and NGO groups by conducting forums and seminars to promote democratic values for a better society. I am involved in one project titled, Mo hitotsu no manabiya, an alternative learning program which allows children the freedom to make their own choice and have their say. I am in charge of the sub-project connecting world food culture and Nara."
It was in 2001 that Sharma was portrayed in the Focus on Nara TV program, under the subtitle, 'We are global citizens', later becoming an executive member of the program.

As a representative of Nara Family & Friends (NF&F), a truly borderless, ageless group where everyone is welcome to join not only to learn Japanese, all one-to-one lessons, but to work together to help each other. Divided into the Children Support Wing and the Adult Support Wing, in the past, activities have included cultural events, cooking, picnics and making New Year cards. This group has been very supportive of Japanese returnees, these are Japanese children who were stranded in China during the Second World War, now grown up with children and grand-children of their own, they have returned to Japan where NF&F has extended a warm hand of welcome to ease the pain of feeling like strangers in their own country. In 2004, Sharma was the focus of another TV program, Zaku Baran.

"When the school children I teach are asked what they would like to do in the future. Some reply they would like to go to a foreign country and work, like their teacher. It makes me enormously happy to hear that."

Nara Family & Friends:
Nara Chuo Kominkan, above Nara Tourist Office. 2-min walk from Nara Kintetsu stn.
Open: 10:00-12:00. Every Sunday (except 5th Sunday)
Membership Fees: Yearly ¥2,000 to cover
up administration costs
Z 0742 35 2262 or
Ms. Utsumi: 090 9615 8276

Nara NPO Center:
In the grounds of Todai-ji. Bus from Kintetsu/JR Nara station to Todai-ji.
Fees: Small fee to join activities
Z 0742-20-5027 • Fax: 0742-20-5028
Email: naranpocenter@k8.dion.ne.jp

*NPO: Non profit organization
*NGO: Non governmental organization

Text: Mylene Oishi