Poet-diplomat Mr Abhay K. has been appointed the new director of the Nehru Centre, London. He will succeed current director Ms Sangeeta Bahadur shortly. The Nehru Centre, London, since it started functioning in 1992, has had a number of illustrious names in the field of art and culture such as Mr Gopalkrishna Gandhi, Mr Girish Karnad and Ms Pawan K. Varma among others as its directors.

The centre was set up to address the cultural aspirations of the Indian community and facilitate a sustained dialogue between Indian and British cultures. It commenced its work in July 1992, with a programme to mark the centenary of the election of Dadabhai Naoroji to the House of Commons - the first entry of an Asian to that august house. It is regarded by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) as its flagship cultural centre abroad, and has, over the years, emerged as a premier institution engaged in India’s cultural interface with Britain.

The centre serves as a platform for Indian culture in the broadest sense, focusing on the role played both by British and Indian artistes in promoting greater mutual cultural understanding, said a press release. Mr Abhay K. is the author of two memoirs and five poetry collections. His collection of poems includes “The Seduction of Delhi”. He has been honoured with the SAARC Literary Award and nominated for the Pushcart Prize 2013. He has received the Gov2.in Award on behalf of the Public Diplomacy Division under the external affairs ministry.