President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s Address at the

Friendship Year Commemorative Function during the

Visit of His Excellency Mr. Hu Jintao,

President of People Republic of China

 

21 November 2006

 

India-China  Friendship will  lead to World Peace

 

          Dear friends, it is indeed a beautiful day to commemorate the friendship year of People’s Republic of China in the presence of His Excellency Mr. Hu Jintao, President of People’s Republic of China. While I am with you, I would like to recall two scenes, one in India and another in China.  These two episodes indicate the strong bonds between our two nations for many centuries which are continuing. 

 

Ancient Nalanda University and Hieun Tsang

 

          First scene, I would like to capture is a scene from Nalanda Ancient University in India. I visited Nalanda and spent a full day.  This was a very active center of learning and research during the period between 5th to 12th Century A.D.  on theology, philosophy and religion. Nearly 2000 teachers and 10000 students from many countries converged there and were studying and researching on how to elevate human minds.  I saw the areas of Nalanda where the discourses took place, the remnants of hermitages of monks and teachers. Hieun Tsang a famous Chinese philosopher  and historian who came to India in the 5th century AD and stayed in Nalanda for 12 years as a student and a teacher and studied  and researched the social and political conditions. His contemporaries were great thinkers like Nagarjuna, Dharmapal, Aryadeva. Hieun Tsang has left detailed description of excellence of education in Nalanda. There is a memorial hall built in his memory. This indicates how educational connectivity in philosophy and theology existed between India and China, even during 5th Century AD.

 

Dr. D.S. Kotnis in China

 

          Now I would like to describe the second scene in China.  Dr. D.S. Kotnis had worked as the Director of  Dr. Bethune International Peace Hospital in Shec-Zia Zhong in China.  Dr. Kotnis along with four other doctors were sent as the Indian Medical Mission Team in 1938 for providing medical cover to the people affected by Japanese invasion of China.  All except Dr. Kotnis returned to India safely.  Dr. Kotnis stayed in China for five years working in mobile clinics to treat wounded soldiers.  Dr. Kotnis joined the 8-route army and worked 72 hours at a stretch for treating the war causalities.  During his mission, Dr. Kotnis was a lecturer at the  Dr. Bethune Hygiene School and the President of Dr. Bethune International Peace Hospital along with the Canadian Dr. Norman Bethune;       Dr. Kotnis continues to be remembered by the Chinese people.

         

Unity of Minds

         

          The deep historical and cultural association that our ancient civilizations share has made rich contributions in shaping the development of humanity and gives a unique dimension to India and China relations in contemporary times. The remarkable growth and diversification of India – China relations in recent years is a matter of satisfaction and gives optimism for the future of our relations. Today the foot prints of India and china are increasingly visible and have made an impact on the global landscape in diverse areas. Our common pursuit of a peaceful environment for the paramount task of achieving national construction and prosperity adds great values to India – China partnership.

 

          The tradition of unity of minds, which we are building in India and China can definitely enrich our society through technology, trade and business and above all strategic partnership. The more, our two nations come closer and work together for prosperity of people, definitely not only India and China will prosper but also this unique trend will lead to prosperity and peace in the world.

 

          The commemoration of India – China Friendship year is truly a tribute to the distance traversed, through friendly exchanges and contacts, by two nations through the labyrinths of time.

         

          My best wishes to all the participants from China and India for success in their mission of reinforcing the strategic and cooperative partnership for peace and prosperity of the planet earth.

 

          May God bless you.