Saturday, April 30 2005 13:12 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

London: Declaring his love for India, Britain's Prince Charles yesterday (Apr 29, 2005) inaugurated a 300-seat renovated Mountbatten Auditorium at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in London, built as part of 1.5-million-Pound modernisation of the organisation's building.

"I am so pleased to visit here for the third time, since 1981," said Charles, who accompanied by his wife Camilla Parker, the Duchess of Cornwall, witnessed a brief Kathak and Bharatanatyam performance by students of the Bhavan.

Describing Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan as a remarkable centre of art, culture and dance, he said, "I have developed such a love for India and Indian people ever-since my uncle (Lord Mountbatten) told me fascinating stories of India and in his company I visited India."

Recalling his visit to Delhi, Rajasthan and Mumbai in 2003 Charles said, "We have so much to learn from India, much more than we can teach."

The function was attended by several distinguished dignitaries including High Commissioner of India Kamalesh Sharma, NRI industrialist and British Ambassador for Overseas Business Lord Swraj Paul, Deputy leader of Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords Lord Navnit Dholakia, Lord Raj Bagri, President of the Hinduja Group G P Hinduja, founder of the Noon products Sir Gulam Noon, and leading NRI Hotelier and the vice chairman of the Bhavan Joginder Sangar.