aims to raise funds to provide
housing for children who were
orphaned by the genocide.
The genocide remains a source of
ethnic tension 15 years after the
massacres. The hunt goes on for the
genocide perpetrators still at large –
and Rwanda has broken ties with
some of the nations, notably France
whom it accuses of complicity in the
genocide, and failure to acknowledge
its role in allowing the killings when
it had the powers and resources to
stop it. Hundreds of suspects sought
over their involvement in the killings
are living in other countries despite
the warrant of arrest from the
Tanzania-based International
  Criminal Tribunal on Rwanda
(ICTR). The country though has
made giant strides under the
President Paul Kagame whose then
Tutsi rebel group took over in the
aftermath of the genocide.
Commemoration of
the Rwanda
Genocide – A Report
After the Press Conference on the
Commemoration of 1994 Rwanda
Genocide against Tutsis held on
Thursday, April 9 2009 at Press Club,
Bangalore, the Embassy of Republic
of Rwanda to India – New Delhi in		 association with the Rwanda Students
Association – Karnataka (RSA-K)
hosted a solemn function to
commemorate the 15th Anniversary
of Rwanda Genocide against the
Tutsis at Garden City College,
Bangalore.
The commemoration function
began with a word of prayer which
was followed by a one minute of
silence in memory of the victims of
the 1994 Rwanda Genocide. Present
on the occasion were the hosts
students from different parts of India
and international students from
diverse countries such as Uganda,
Tanzania, Sudan, Mozambique,		 Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, Kenya,
Burundi, Saudi Arabia, amongst
others. The function was also
attended by various representatives as
well as lecturers from colleges
Rwandese students.
In his welcome address, the
Chairman of Rwanda Students
Association – Karnataka, expounded
on the significance of the occasion
and the need to understand the
reasons for commemoration of the
genocide. His address was followed by
lighting of the candle by the Guest of
Honour, Mr. Ngoga Eugene Fixer, the
First Counselor, Embassy of the
Republic of Rwanda, New Delhi
  witnessed by Dr. J.W. Lobo, Director
International Affairs, Christ
University, Dr. K.C. John, Principal,
Garden City College, and Mr. Benson
Mcheza, a Tanzanian who was witness
to the genocide.
In his address to the gathering,
the Guest of Honour, The First
Counselor, made a passionate speech
using a power presentation to
describe the root causes of the
genocide in Rwanda, its impact on
Rwandans and entire world,
complicity of France, the role of the
US and other western countries in
the genocide as well as the failure of
the United Nation to prevent or stop
the genocide. His address also
highlighted Rwanda’s Action Plan to
  prevent future genocide, Unity and
Reconciliation, Justice, development
agenda and efforts being made to
create a peaceful Rwanda.
Later, a video documentary Shake
Hands with the Devil by General
Romeo Dallaire, Commander of the
UN forces based on the genocide in
Rwanda was screened for the benefit
of the audience.
This was followed by reading of a
letter that appeared on Friday, April
10, 2009 in the New Times, a leading
English daily published from Kigali in
Rwanda. The letter was dropped
 

inside Ntarama Church Memorial
Site on Thursday, April 9, 2009 by a
girl who survived the genocide
survivor, Alice Uwamahoro.
According to the caretaker of the
Nyamata-based church-cum-memorial
site, among the limbs found in the
church were those of Alice’s mother
and other family members.
The reading was followed by
sharing of experiences by dignitaries,
students, invitees and speech by the

 

 Principal of Garden City College, Dr.
K.C. John.
A unique feature of the function
was the launch of the One Dollar
Campaign by the Rwanda Diaspora
and their friends in Bangalore city to
raise funds for the rehabilitation of
the victims of the genocide. A token
US $ 200.00 was raised at the
impromptu funds drive.
The commemoration concluded with
dinner and interaction between First
Counselor, Mr. Ngoga Eugene Fixer
and the Rwandese students.		 “The event was a grand success as
the message of peace, impact of the
genocide on Rwandans and entire
world and today’s peaceful Rwanda
spread to many people.”
Alisen Nyangadyaki
Chairman, RSA– Karnataka
A special thanks to Garden
City College, Bangalore
As the hosts, Garden City College,
Bangalore worked hand in hand
  with Embassy of Republic of
Rwanda to India – New Delhi and
the Rwanda Students Association –
Karnataka (RSA-K) in organizing
the 15th Commemoration of
Rwanda Genocide in Bangalore
City. The Chairman Garden City
Group of Institutions, Dr. Joseph
V.G. ensured the event was a
success and provided facilities on
campus free of cost.
The Press Coverage
Media houses have been releasing
articles on the Rwanda Genocide
on their Websites and Newspapers.
These include: DNA (Daily News &
Analysis) Tribute to Genocide
Victims, Deccan Herald, Rwanda
Genocide Remembered, DNA
(Daily News & Analysis), LEST WE
FORGET: Genocide Remembered,
DNA (Daily News & Analysis), City
Marks Rwandan Genocide
Anniversary.