India-china Relations Fundamental to the Stability and Development of Asia and the World, Says President

Smt. Sumitra Mahajan, Speaker, Lok Sabha today (December 15, 2014) released the Chinese version of the book ‘An Odyssey in Tibet – a Pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar’ authored by Shri Tarun Vijay, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) at a function held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Auditorium.

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee was unable to attend the function on account of his indisposition. Instead, a message from the President was read out at the function by Shri Venu Rajamony, Press Secretary to the President.

In his message, the President said, "I have known Shri Tarun Vijay for many years – as a colleague in Parliament, a leading journalist and a dynamic social worker.

I read the English version of his book brought out in 2001 and found it to be engaging and interesting. The book is an insightful reflection on the sub-conscious philosophy of the Indian pilgrim. Shri Vijay has brought out with sensitivity the range of spiritual experiences a traveler goes through while making the sacred yatra to Mount Kailash and Manasarovar.

I am happy to know that the book has now been translated into the Chinese language by the South Asian Study Centre of Sichuan University and will be the first in a series called ‘Understanding India’.

India and China are ancient civilisations with a long history of close contacts between our people. Friendly relations between our two countries are fundamental to the stability and development of Asia and the world. The state visit of President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China to India in September this year was an important landmark in the development of the strategic and cooperative partnership for peace and prosperity between our two countries. Both our countries now stand on the threshold of a leap into an exciting phase of global exchange, where harnessing of ideas and resources for global welfare can serve as a major pivot for world peace and welfare.

I am confident this book by Shri Tarun Vijay will enhance mutual comprehension and understanding between our two great civilizations and inspire more journeys of discovery and exchanges between the people of India and China.

I congratulate Shri Vijay and the South Asian Study Centre of Sichuan University for bringing out this publication and wish them the very best of success in their endeavours to disseminate greater knowledge about India amongst the Chinese people”.

Among the dignitaries present on the occasion was Shri Manohar Parrikar, Union Minister of Defence; Shri P.J. Kurian, Dy. Chairman, Rajya Sabha; Shri Dattatrey Hosbale, Founder Trustee, World Organization of Students and Youth; Shri Piyush Goel, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ministry of Power, Coal and New and Renewable Energy and Shri Rao Inderjit Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ministry of Planning and MoS in the Ministry of Defence.

This release issued at 1940 hrs.