India has launched year-long activities and programmes in Canada to showcase the country's rich art and culture, as well as its rise as an economic power. Indian High Commissioner S M Gavai launched the 'Year of India in Canada' with a major investment in Canada-India Centre for Excellence in Science, Technology, Trade and Policy at the Carleton University.Both the countries also signed a Memorandum of Understanding that would bring together key members of the academic, business and public policy communities in both countries to provide cutting-edge research, analysis, training and exchanges. Gavai said the year-long festivities would include exhibitions of Indian art and culture, seminars on promoting trade and business, conferences on enhanced co-operation, food and film festivals and more in different parts of the country. The celebratory year was designated for 2011 by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper during the latter's visit to India in November 2009.