By UN Journal Kim Ji-eun

The World Ceramic and Cultural Exchange Association, led by Chairman Park Hee-soo, will hold the Korea-India University Song Festival from June 14 to 16 at the Noida City Expo in Uttar Pradesh, northern India. 

Uttar Pradesh has a population of about 215 million people, making it one of the most populous states in India. The Korea-India University Song Festival is a singing competition for local college students in India, and Korean Taekwondo dance team and K-pop cover dance team will take the stage to promote cultural exchange between the two countries. 

Thirty teams will be selected for the main event through a rigorous preliminary round. All 30 teams will receive a membership certificate to the Korea Singers Association and cash prizes and merchandise. Most of the selected winners are signed with entertainment agencies and invited to Korea to perform. 

The World Ceramic and Cultural Exchange Association is promoting the Korea-India University Song Contest through local media in India, and entries are open until April 30. 

The biggest perk of the festival is a trip to Korea. For Indian college students who dream of becoming singers, it is a great opportunity that will never come around again. 

For Koreans, the 'College Song Festival' is a fond memory, but not for the Indian scene. Riding the K-pop wave, the interest and popularity of the Indian college talent show is growing. India, a country of 1.4 billion people with a 3,300-to-1 competition ratio for Korean language majors, is inviting Indian students to a world of unbelievable mysteries and opportunities, just like the Indian government's international tourism slogan, Incredible India. 

"The Korean Wave is sweeping across the Indian subcontinent," said Park Hee-soo, chairman of the World Ceramic Art and Cultural Exchange Association. Indians are full of excitement and there are many talented people among them," said Park, adding, "The local response to the College Song Festival has exceeded our expectations." He expressed his ambition to organize a successful festival.