Students from Odisha institute to join UK's 'Commonwealth Big

Thousands of students and teachers from an Odisha institute will join millions others from across the globe in a UK government-partnered initiative aimed at "connecting people" over shared meals.
The 'Commonwealth Big Lunches' initiative was launched yesterday by British Prime Minister Theresa May.
The initiative has been created by educational charity the Eden Project in partnership with the UK government aimed at encouraging people to get together to celebrate their "Commonwealth" connections through food.
According to the UK government, around 30,000 students and teachers of Kalinga Institute of Social Science in Odisha will be among millions from around the world to participate in the new 'Commonwealth Big Lunches' initiative.

"The Commonwealth is a diverse and vibrant network and its strength lies in the people-to-people links. The Eden Project brings together millions of people as part of their annual Big Lunch so we are delighted to partner with them on Commonwealth Big Lunches," May said.
Lunches of all shapes and sizes are set to take place between March 12, celebrated as the Commonwealth Day, and April 22. The six-week period will be marked by diverse events across the 52 countries that make up the 'Commonwealth'. It also includes a lunch for athletes at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia and a joint Scotland-Malawi lunch in Edinburgh.

"Starting in March, Commonwealth Big Lunches will be an opportunity for people across the Commonwealth to come together and, over a shared meal, discover and celebrate their connections, experiences and stories," May noted.

The Big Lunches will coincide with Britain playing host to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in London and Windsor from April 16 to 20. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend the CHOGM alongside other Commonwealth heads of government.
"Commonwealth Big Lunches remind us of the range and diversity of our connections and counterparts in countries and communities far away, and bring us together with those who live alongside us locally.

"They offer wonderful opportunities for people of all ages to bring our great Commonwealth family alive in new ways as we work towards a common future," said Patricia Scotland, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.
The initiative builds on Cornwall-based Eden Project's annual 'Big Lunch', launched in 2009, as a way to connect people with their communities.It is designed around local communities taking the lead by selecting a venue and inviting local cafes to contribute to an effective open-air picnic.
"Celebrations are anticipated across six continents, which is just phenomenal. Commonwealth Big Lunches bring people together, show the diversity we all have and importantly celebrate the commonality we all share which showcases the true spirit of the Commonwealth," said Peter Stewart, Executive Director of the Eden Project.