Connecting through culture

“Vietnam-India: Connecting through Culture” was the theme of a panel discussion by Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, Chairman of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), held on August 4 at the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics.

The information session was attended by researchers and lecturers in the fields of culture, scientific information and international relations from the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, the Academy of Journalism and Communication, the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences and representatives of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Business (InCham) in Hanoi.

Overview of the information session on “Vietnam - India: Connecting through culture”, August 4 at Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics.

Speaking at the information session, Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe emphasized: India is a country that values ​​peace, friendship, and strong ideas that consider the World as a family, always wishing for Happiness for all . India's soft power, India's cultural influence, has always conquered the hearts and minds of people. From epics, Yoga, traditional Indian medicine, to vibrant music and dance, Indian culture has created deep connections between India and the global community. Cultural characteristics have made India a prosperous country thanks to peace, harmony and mutual respect.

According to Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, cultural exchanges between India and Vietnam have flourished since the 2nd century BC. Maritime trade routes have facilitated the exchange of goods, spices, textiles, and have also been a path for international knowledge exchange. Also through this route, languages, arts, Buddhism, and philosophy from India have come to Vietnam, creating deep similarities in the spiritual foundations of the people in the two countries.

In modern times, Vietnam and India have faced the same historical issues. The two countries fought against colonialism and won independence from foreign domination. The solidarity between the two countries was nurtured by President Ho Chi Minh and Indian national hero Mahatma Gandhi, along with many generations of leaders and people. Today, the two countries have established a comprehensive strategic partnership with many bilateral cooperation agreements and close cultural ties.

Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe (middle) with delegates at the information session on “Vietnam-India: Connecting through culture”.

Participants raised many thought-provoking questions, such as: How can cultural ties be transformed into a foundation for success in economics, politics, trade, security, defense and many other fields? How can the influence of Vietnamese culture in India be recognized and enhanced?

The participants also agreed on the idea that the study of Indian culture is never complete (as the title of a book No full stops in India suggests). Both sides need to continuously exchange, interact, and conduct in-depth research on the core cultural values ​​of India and Vietnam, using the philosophy of “harmony” as a guideline for finding solutions to conflicts in the world.

Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe is a prominent Indian politician. He is a member of the Rajya Sabha (upper house of the Indian parliament), and has served as the Chairman of the Indian Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports. He served as the National Vice President of the BJP (currently the ruling party in India) from August 2014 to September 2020.

ICCR, established by the Government of India in April 1950, has the mandate to establish and strengthen India's cultural ties with countries across the globe, through cultural exchange programmes.

"Over the years, through the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Center in Hanoi, the Indian government has organized many cultural and artistic exchange activities to strengthen cultural ties between the two countries. Activities such as International Yoga Day, Buddha's Birthday, culinary and fashion festivals, yoga, dance and Hindi classes, heritage conservation and restoration programs, and a series of cultural exchange scholarships sponsored by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations are evidence that India values ​​and nurtures cultural ties with Vietnam." (Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Sandeep Ayra)

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/viet-nam-an-do-ket-noi-qua-van-hoa-237300.html