Happy Bhutan’s National Day!

Typical Sri Lankan dish of rice and prawns. *Photo from Wikipedia February 4 is Sri Lanka’s Independence Day, which is celebrated to commemorate its internal political independence from British rule on that day in 1948. Its geographic location and deep harbors made it of great strategic importance from the time of the ancient Silk Road through to World War II. From the 16th century, some coastal areas of the country were also controlled by the Portuguese, Dutch and British. Between 1597 and 1658, a substantial part of the island was under Portuguese rule. The Portuguese lost their possessions in Ceylon

A couple dancing Panamanian Cumbia. *Photo from Wikipedia November 3 Independence Day / Separation Day, celebrates the separation and independence of Panama from Colombia in 1903. Panama was inhabited by several indigenous tribes prior to settlement by the Spanish in the 16th century. Panama broke away from Spain in 1821 and joined a union of Nueva Granada, Ecuador, and Venezuela named the Republic of Gran Colombia. When Gran Colombia dissolved in 1831, Panama and Nueva Granada remained joined, eventually becoming the Republic of Colombia. With the backing of the United States, Panama seceded from Colombia in 1903, allowing the Panama

Interviewed & written by Isao Tokuhashi Mail to: itokuhashi@myeyestokyo.com   Jagmohan Chandrani (India) President of a trading company (He’s been in Japan since ’78) His long, long beard catches your eyes. Jagmohan Chandrani is a very, very gentle person. He talks slowly and gently and always brings smiles with his face. He has been running his business in relation to his home, India, for a long time. Such as Indian cuisine restaurants, a tea shop and organizing the Indian community of Edogawa region, east-end of Tokyo. His activities became well-known among Japanese through TV, newspapers and magazines. *Interview at Japan Business