Embassy of India

Beijing

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 1, 2009

Book Release of “The Good Boatman – A Portrait of Gandhi”

(Chinese translation)

At a function held on Aug 4 evening at the New Culture Wing of the Embassy of India, Beijing, Charge d’Affaires, Embassy of India, Beijing, Mr. Jaideep Mazumdar released the Chinese translation of “The Good Boatman – A Portrait of Gandhi” , a book originally written by Prof. Rajmohan Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi. The translation of the book into Chinese has been done by Prof. Deng Junbing, wife of former Ambassador of China to India, Ambassador Zhou Gang, and a distinguished literary figure in her own right. The event was attended by 80 distinguished guests, friends of India and members of the local media. The important dignitaries included Co-Chairman India China Eminent Persons Group Mr. Liu Shuqing, Mme. He Liliang (wife of former Chinese leader Huang Hua), other members of the India-China EPG, Mr. Sun Weidong (DDG-Asia Dept., MFA) and many retired Chinese diplomats.

2. Speaking on the occasion, Cd’A Mr. Jaideep Mazumdar said that the release of the book was an important step in enhancing the mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries. The book would also help spread awareness about Mahatma Gandhi and his message of peace and non-violence among the Chinese audiences. Prof. Deng Junbing, in her brief talk about the book, recalled receiving the original book as a gift from the Mahatma's granddaughter and the author's sister while she was in India. She said that by translating this work on Mahatma Gandhi into Chinese, she wished to introduce the Mahatma to the Chinese people. Prof. Deng also expressed her sincere gratitude to the three former Ambassadors of India to China, Ambassador S.S. Menon, Ambassador Nalin Surie and Ambassador Nirupama Rao, all of whom played an important role towards the completion of this project.

3. A few photographs from the event are placed below. A CV of Prof. Deng Junbing is also attached.

Contact Person:

C. Naik | Second Secretary | +86-10-6532 3313 | fsic.beijing@gmail.com

Fax : +86-10-6532 4684

Photographs:

Charge d’Affaires, Embassy of India, Mr. Jaideep Mazumdar (right) releasing the book with Prof. Deng Junbing

Prof Deng Junbing addressing the audience. Ambassador Zhou Gang may be seen seated on stage.

Resume - Prof. Deng Junbing

A native of Sichuan Province, China. Graduated from the English Department of the Foreign Languages University of Beijing in 1963 and took up teaching in the same University from 1963 to 1977.

From 1977 to 1980 : Worked in the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh.

From 1981 to 1988: Transferred to the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and did research as a senior visiting scholar at the Oxford University from 1985 to 1986 at the invitation of the British Academy.

From 1988 to 1991, worked as a First Secretary in the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia .

From 1991-2001 worked as a Counsellor in the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan, Indonesia and India.

Senior advisor to Sundaya Consultancy of Association of Former Diplomats of China and Member of China Foundation for International Studies since retirement in June 2001.

Main works—academic articles and translated works such as “The Changing Anatomy of Britain” by Anthony Sampson, “Music—Joy of My life” by former British Prime Minister Edward Heath, “Ayub Khan—The First Military Ruler of Pakistan” by Altaf Gauhar, and “The Good Boatman—A Portrait of Gandhi” by Rajmohan Gandhi as well as some memoirs of Chinese leaders like “My Uncle—Premier Zhou Enlai” by Zhou Bingde .

The following are the international conferences participated in, in recent years:

Seminar on Economic Cooperation between China and India held in China in 2003. International Conference on Regional Cooperation between China, Bangladesh, India and Myanmar held in Kunming in 2003. International Conference on commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence held in China in 2004. International Conference on Economic Reform of China and India held in India and Seminar on Security Situation in South Asia held in Pakistan respectively in 2005. International Conference on Energy Cooperation between China and India held in 2006 in India. Forum on Opening Up Indian Market held in 2006 in China and Trilateral (China, India and the US) Seminar on the Security Situation in South Asia held in Kunming in 2009 .

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