An India-China Economic and Cultural Council publication January-February 2019 • ` 100

First recipient of Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award from mainland China Chinese Tourism to India: Efforts Made For Growth, Challenges That Remain

Tian Xin Dr. Das Bikash Kali Vilas Kale China, India must work From student in China Tiger Country: Vidarbha hard to attract more to brand ambassador waits for Chinese tourists from each other for India and Puducherry tourists

Rajni Shaleen Chopra Nazia Vasi Kiki Zhang Incredible India: From Namaste to Ni Hao: Chinna Chinna Aasai: Challenges, opportunities The growth of Mandarin Learning and teaching for tourism growth language in the Indian Tamil in China consciousness ICBC MUMBAI BRANCH

ICBC Mumbai Branch, established in We are confident that, with our September 2011, is the first and only world-wide network of ICBC Group and bank from Chinese mainland in India so our profound understanding of Indian far. Regarding services as the very foun- and Chinese markets, we are best posi- dation of development, we are making tioned to serve business in both coun- every effort to build a “Bank of the First tries to foster bi-lateral investments and Choice” to our existing and potential trades. clients. Privileged with a full license in India, we are now providing a compre- hensive range of financial products and Office Address: services including Corporate Banking, 801,8th Floor, A Wing,ONE BKC,C-66, G Retail Banking, Investment Banking and Block, Bandra Kurla Complex, Band- Trade Finance, etc. ra(E), Mumbai-400 051

Corporate Banking I(Chinese Enterprises):+91-22-71110323 Corporate Banking II(Indian Enterprises):+91-22-71110335 Investiment Banking: +91-22-71110399 Trade Finance: +91-22-71110331 E-mail: [email protected] www.icbc.co.in www.icec-council.org China’s space exploration programs generate global interest

he space race is getting interesting. Nasa’s New Horizons Vol 6, Issue 2, Jan-Feb 2019 probe successfully carried out a flyby of an icy world some 6.5bn km (4bn miles) away. India announced that EDITOR-IN-CHIEF it will send a three-member team into space for the first Mohammed Saqib T time in 2022. And China, a relative late-bloomer in the world EXECUTIVE EDITOR of space exploration, became the first country to successfully Rajni Shaleen Chopra land a robotic spacecraft on the far side of the Moon. China has EDITORIAL BOARD announced plans to build a new space station, along with a base on the Moon, and Mani Shankar Aiyar also conduct missions to Mars. Calling it a step in the path of the country’s “national PS Deodhar rejuvenation”, China has committed billions of dollars to its “space dream”. Prof Haixiao Song Globally, nations have regarded space exploration and their space expansion Dilip Cherian programs as markers of both hard power and soft power. BBC News spoke of the Shaodong Wang Amir Ullah Khan classic triad that has driven investment in space for about 50 years. It said China has been open about the value of space exploration in terms of increasing its standing EDITORIAL TEAM on the world stage. Irfan Alam Audrey Tso The BBC report quoted Prof Keith Hayward, a fellow of the UK’s Royal Aishita Shukla Aeronautical Society, who said China is driven by the same motivations as the US, Russia and others. “First, demand from the military, without which you would not DESIGN Manoj Raikwar have had half the money going in. Second, as a good way to show off. You could say that this is the space Silk Road - it demonstrates China is a force to be reckoned OWNED, PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY with. Third, hitherto untapped resources which have the potential to make whoever Mohammed Saqib finds them wealthy.” Registered with the Registrar of Newspapers In 2006, Prof Ouyang Ziyuan, one of China’s top scientists, told the state’s of India under RNI No: DELENG/2011/43423 official newspaper People’s Daily, “Lunar exploration is a reflection of a country’s comprehensive national power. It is significant for raising our international prestige PUBLISHED FROM A-82, Zakir Bagh, New Delhi - 110025 and increasing our people’s cohesion.” The significance of China’s space ambitions has been recognized globally. Writing ADDRESS FOR ALL CORRESPONDENCE in The Diplomat in December 2018, senior analyst and author Dr. Namrata Goswami India-China Chronicle observed that there was clear direction in China’s space expansion program. She B-59 (GF), South Extension - II, New Delhi - 110049 wrote, “China’s achievements in space follow an incremental strategy of developing Telefax: 011-46550348 its space capacity, first securing the ability to send humans into outer space, followed by robotic missions that both enable space science and build its capacity for long- PRINTED AT term presence, then launching its permanent space station, to be followed by deep Aleena Prints space exploration and exploitation. Toward this effort, the Chinese Communist Mr. Naved Rasheed Block Z-II, 378, Shahadra, Delhi-110053 Party (CCP) has committed its resources and leadership focus on building both Mobile:+91-9582345886 capacity (civil and military) and legitimacy for its outer space missions. For China, E-mail : [email protected] space, like its engagements in the Antarctic continent, offers both the possibility for science as well as future resources from the moon and asteroids.” All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole Dr Goswami was astute in calling out the prejudice of the Western media towards or in part without written China. In her report on China’s space program, she wrote in The Diplomat that permission is prohibited. Western media coverage tends to ignore or deliberately downplay the communist nation’s space achievements. She noted that China’s strategy is to establish long- All advertising enquiries, comments term mission goals for outer space, incrementally build its space capacity and and feedback are welcome at institutions and demonstrate technological prowess. [email protected] A question oft asked in the media is whether we now have a space race between the USA and China, and whether it is a matter of concern. Wendy Whitman Cobb, The information contained in this magazine has been reviewed for a space policy researcher and associate professor of political science at Cameron accuracy and is deemed reliable but University in the USA, wrote in Pacific Standard that her answer would be ‘yes’ and is not necessarily complete or ‘no’. “Even if China’s rise heralds a new space race, not all consequences will be guaranteed by the Editor. The views expressed in this digest are solely that negative,” she concluded. of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of India China Economic and Cultural Council (ICEC). Editor-in-Chief Mohammed Saqib Anguish against China for support to Pakistan on Jaish chief Masood Azhar

ndians admire China for its phenomenal rise, and also its growing influence and power on the world stage. Chinese investment in various sectors of the Indian economy and strong trade links are appreciated in India. But there are thorns in this cozy relationship. Indians Iget suspicious about the Chinese Army’s incursions across the border. The Doklam crisis brought these fears center-stage. The terror strike by Pakistan-based terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed, which killed 40 Indian paramilitary police and injured many others in Pulwama in Kashmir, has impacted public sentiment about China. The anguish against China is because of its consistent opposition to list the UN-proscribed Pakistan-based terror group’s chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. The Pulwama attack took place on February 14. An Op-Ed carried by Global Times on February 17 placed the onus of terrorism on the victim. Global Times is owned by People’s Daily, an official newspaper of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. “Beijing has reiterated its stand several times that New Delhi should provide solid facts and proofs for banning Azhar… Without solid evidence, India has long accused Pakistan of sponsoring terrorist attacks by Jaish-e-Mohammed and other militant groups and China of providing uncritical support for Pakistan,” said the op-ed in Global Times. On February 20, The Indian Express (IE), one of India’s top newspapers, carried a report that Pakistan has been sitting on “actionable intelligence” against Jaish-e-Mohammad for years, and has taken no action against Masood Azhar. After thorough probes, Azhar was named by India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) in two key investigations: the 2001 Parliament and the 2016 Pathankot attacks. Two Red Corner notices were issued against Azhar by the Interpol, first in 2004 for the attack on Parliament and in 2016 for his role in the Pathankot airbase attack, said IE. New Delhi’s attempts to list Azhar at the UNSC have been repeatedly blocked by China. After the attack on the IAF base in Pathankot on January 2016, India proposed to designate Azhar as a global terrorist. China intervened at Pakistan’s behest and placed a technical hold on India’s move in March and again in October 2016. It subsequently used its veto power to block the proposal in December 2016, a day before the technical hold ended. In January 2017, China again employed a technical hold and blocked a proposal put forward by the US, the UK and France to designate Azhar as a terrorist. India had started pushing for Azhar’s listing since 2008-09, after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, and even then China had put a technical hold. A report in IE said that in blocking global action against Azhar, Beijing wants to protect its ‘all weather’ ally in South Asia and its business interests in CPEC. It also wants to keep India under pressure, and make a point to the US. State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi was in India in December for the high-level people-to-people and cultural exchange mechanism. Prof Srikanth Kondapalli of the Centre for East Asian Studies at JNU’s School of International Studies said in an IE analysis that China is keen to tap the Indian consumer market. Prof Kondapalli warned that if China’s actions are seen as blatantly damaging to India, as in the Masood Azhar case, public sentiment may turn against it. “In diplomacy, this cannot be quantified, but it is very significant,” Prof Kondapalli said. The Global Times Op-Ed admitted that the proscription of Azhar is a contentious issue that can impede China-India relations. Some Chinese scholars advise that China take India’s concerns more into account.

Executive Editor Rajni Shaleen Chopra CONTENTS

COVER STORY Chinese Tourism to India: Efforts made for growth, Challenges that remain

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10 On its road towards 36 For China, 62 billion becoming a global reasons to be cautious superpower, India can in India-Pakistan crisis learn much from China Ananth Krishnan Amit Waikar 40 India losing trade battle with China: 80% of two-way business 14 China, India must work hard to attract more last year was imports tourists from each other Ananth Krishnan Tian Xin 44 From Namaste to Ni Hao: The growth of Mandarin language in the Indian 20 From student in China consciousness to brand ambassador for Nazia Vasi India and Puducherry Dr. Das Bikash Kali 50 Chinna Chinna Aasai: Learning and teaching Tamil in China 26 Tiger Country: Vidarbha waits for Kiki Zhang Chinese tourists 56 China to complete artificial sun Vilas Kale device this year: official PTI report

30 Incredible India: 57 Gupshup Challenges, opportunities for tourism growth Rajni Shaleen Chopra 63 Recent ICEC events

January-February 2019 ▪ 3 INCREDIBLE INDIA MORE TOURISTS FROM CHINA

Chinese Tourism to India Efforts made for growth, Challenges that remain

More Chinese tourists should come to India

 Amit Waikar

hina is the driver for the global tourism market. More than 100 million Chinese tourists visit international destinations Cevery year. Chinese tourists are the largest group of travelers worldwide. They are also increasingly spending more. Thailand receives 10 million Chinese tourists every year. South Korea receives 9 million Chinese tourists annually. India’s civilization is more than 7,000 years old. India is home to more than 70 percent of the Himalayas, and has a 7,500 km (4660 miles) coastline. We have amazing heritage and culture, palaces, castles, monuments, cave carvings and an enviable range of handicrafts and handlooms. But Chinese tourists to India number only in lakhs, not in millions.

4 ▪ January-February 2019 There are numerous more possibilities department officers were present for that can be initiated in order to fully tap the show. the lucrative Chinese market and ensure Speaking about the efforts to make that the tourism inflow to India increases. tourism contribute more to the economy, According to a report by Ms Gauri Bhatia Mr. Alphons remarked that if India published by CNBC in October 2018, wanted earnings from foreign tourists to tourist arrivals to India grew by 14 percent jump from $27 billion currently to $100 in 2017 compared to the global growth billion in the next five years, it would of 7 percent. Tourism receipts were also need China's help. above the global average, according to The CNBC report stated that despite official Indian figures. the relatively low numbers, India is The CNBC report said that in 2017, a short-haul destination and Chinese 145 million Chinese traveled abroad, carriers have 25 flights a week to Indian according to the China Outbound metros from different Chinese cities. Tourism Research Institute. Chinese “Some blame it on the fact that rising Amit Waikar is the first recipient of the tourists also spent $258 billion in 2017, political tensions from border skirmishes Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award from almost double what their American have had an impact, while others feel mainland China. The award was conferred counterparts did in the same year, India has just not marketed itself upon him in January 2019 according to data from the World Tourism aggressively in China,” wrote Ms Bhatia. Organization (UNWTO). The fact that I have come across media reports only 247,000 Chinese visited India in over the last few years that India did 2017 became a matter of opportunity for not make a concerted effort to attract Indian policymakers. Chinese tourists. That is changing now. I am happy to observe that India’s Mr. Rajan said India urgently needed efforts to attract more Chinese tourists to a strategy to crack the China market, India have started in earnest. Huge steps and attract at least one per cent of the are being taken to realize India’s potential Chinese outbound tourists in 2019. The as an attractive destination for Chinese strategy, he said, was “make the Chinese tourists. The initiatives include linking happy, give them their food and speak yoga and the many colourful festivals of their language.” India to the Indian tourism circuits being During the high-profile visit of Mr. promoted in China. The Indian embassy Alphons, the Indian team met potential in China is taking the lead in this regard. Chinese investors who could build hotels It has organized many shows to promote in India catering specifically to Chinese Huge steps are being domestic tourism. tourists, and set up language institutes taken to realize teaching Mandarin. I saw the Indian Initiatives taken by consulate in Shanghai ably led by Consul India’s potential as an India to attract more General of India in Shanghai, Mr. Anil attractive destination Chinese tourists Rai, work tirelessly to make this event a In September 2018, a major ‘India grand success. for Chinese tourists. Tourism Roadshow’ was organized The initiatives in multiple cities across China. The Enthusiastic participation grandest show was hosted in Shanghai on of the Indian community include linking September 4. The seriousness with which in China India is investing in tourist inflow from The overwhelming involvement and yoga and the many China is evident from the fact that Union participation by the Indian community colourful festivals of Minister of State for Culture and Tourism in Shanghai was a significant part of Mr. K J Alphons, Tourism Minister of the roadshow organized by the Indian India to the Indian Maharashtra Mr. Jayakumar Rawal and embassy. Members of the Indian tourism circuits being Director General of India Tourism Mr. community put up many booths depicting Satyajeet Rajan along with respective the tourist and cultural attractions of promoted in China

January-February 2019 ▪ 5 INCREDIBLE INDIA MORE TOURISTS FROM CHINA

various Indian states. What a sight Making the selfie-focused it was to see throngs of our Chinese tourist happy friends from Shanghai queuing to wear During my interactions with the tourist the Maharashtrian naath and Paithini agencies in Shanghai, one important and saree at the Maharashtra pavilion or Sikh rather funny aspect I learnt about the turban at the Punjab pavilion. At the tourists from China is that most of them, Kerala pavilion, the Chinese loved trying especially the young Chinese tourists out the Kasavu saree and take selfies. are selfie-focused. He/she needs a selfie It was equally a marvelous moment for moment every half hour. So if we are Some tourism agencies me to see the large gathering enjoy the talking about Project Tiger in Vidarbha, in Delhi and Rajasthan diverse Indian food that was served. we must not assume that a morning India has realized that tourism can be safari and an evening safari will make the are catering diligently the game changer for its economy. Shri tourist happy. to the requirements Jayakumar Rawal interacted with major The tourism destinations must have tourist agencies in Shanghai. He invited an agenda for the whole day. Pottery, of the Chinese tourists. them to visit Maharashtra and offered fishing, carpet making, village art, them a week long state-sponsored visit rangoli – the whole day must be packed They have developed to various tourist attractions. “Seeing with diverse activities. day-long programs is believing,” he told me. “Once these During my interactions with the agencies see what Maharashtra has to tourist agencies in Shanghai, I also full of typically offer and they get convinced, they will for learnt that Chinese tourists love to go to Indian activities that sure get the tourists here.” Such initiative Rajasthan. I was happy to be informed shown by all states will bring huge gains that some tourism agencies in Delhi and tourists love to India. Rajasthan are catering diligently to the

6 ▪ January-February 2019 requirements of the Chinese tourists. They have developed day-long programs full of typically Indian activities that these tourists love. We must develop highly attractive packages for tourists in all parts of India. We must draw from our rich heritage and culture to design these packages. We also need to connect with big tour operators in China. The day and age is gone where we just put up some billboards to attract tourists.

Small steps that go a long way to attract tourists When Chinese tourists land in Thailand, they are welcomed by Thais who converse with them in Mandarin, and are able to guide them regarding their every need. We must have a similar arrangement in India. To begin with, it can be done at major destinations favored by Chinese tourists. Most Chinese come to India in groups. They are accompanied by a tour- guide. It will be good if the government facilitates them further by engaging Indians who speak in Mandarin, to welcome and guide them as needed. That little extra effort will need to be done. Here again, I was very impressed with the enthusiasm and commitment received from Mr. Rawal that Maharashtra government will arrange for such facilities at its international airports. Mandarin- speaking guides have been appointed at some airports in India, and the facility

The overwhelming involvement and participation by the Indian community in Shanghai was a significant part of the tourism road-show organized by the Indian embassy

January-February 2019 ▪ 7 INCREDIBLE INDIA MORE TOURISTS FROM CHINA

should be extended to all international many Chinese tourists to visit India and Korean TV serials in China. Would it not or domestic airports which Chinese explore beautiful landscapes. We need be amazing if our Indian TV serials were tourists use in large numbers. Such pro- to build on this awareness. The Chinese loved by Chinese audiences! activeness is needed to make the tourism should know that India has beautiful For India-bound tourism to prosper, industry grow. landscapes, cultural destinations and a particular awareness and attraction for nearby cities have modern infrastruc- India needs to be created in the minds of Indian movies can ture, including five-star hotels, resorts Chinese people. Bollywood and our TV spread awareness, and boutique hotels where they can enjoy serials are good mediums to create it. draw Chinese tourists their stay. More Chinese tourists coming to India Indian movies have become phenom- Indo-China movie projects will also will create a stronger ‘people-to-people enally popular in China in the last few boost tourism. After the mega success connect’ between our two great nations. years. India can lean on the soft power of Bollywood in China, Indian film of its commercial cinema to draw more studios are in touch with film studios in Indians living in China Chinese tourists. China. Talks of Indo-Chinese joint film must act as brand Thanks to China’s newfound love for productions are underway. These will ambassadors Bollywood, the lack of awareness regard- work well to give a push to India’s appeal There are about 70,000 Indians in China. ing India has been dealt with effectively. as a tourism destination for the Chinese. We must be closely aligned with India. Courtesy our superstar Aamir Khan and There are many more opportunities We all must act as brand ambassadors for his films 3 Idiots and Dangal, many Chi- for us to pitch in here. For example, the our nation. nese have discovered that India isn’t a growth of tourism in Korea was supported In order to do my own personal bit poor country! These films encouraged partially through the popularity of to promote India tourism within China,

8 ▪ January-February 2019 India’s strategy to crack the China market, and attract at least one per cent of the Chinese outbound tourists in 2019, is to “make the Chinese happy, give them their food and speak their language”

I focused on my home town, Nagpur and the region that it represents – Vidharbha. This region has so much to offer. Vidarbha is home to Project Tiger. Vidharbha Industrial Association (VIA) played a vital role in helping me promote tourism locally. They provided me with the opportunity to interact with tourist agencies in Vidharbha. I studied the diverse tourism attractions that Vidarbha has to offer. I was happy to act as a connect between the tourist operators in Vidarbha and Shanghai. I shared photographs of the Kumbh Mela, photographs and promote them on social There are other ways too, in which and also the entire spiritual experience, media in China. Indians living in China can promote on Chinese social media platforms. My Given our connectivity and linkages Destination India for tourism. Take effort was to make the Chinese aware of in the Chinese society, we can spread the the Kumbh mela, for example. It is the the Kumbh Mela and share with them the message of the amazing experience of world’s biggest human gathering. After I joy of this spiritual congregation. Kumbh and our cheerful, colourful festi- was conferred with the Pravasi Bharatiya If any Indians who live, work or study vals. This is how we can act as brand am- Award, I went to Prayag Raj with the other in China are in India at the time of major bassadors for India. This alignment with awardees. It was an amazing experience. festivals, they must bring back great India needs to happen. 

January-February 2019 ▪ 9 NAGPUR TO SHANGHAI LOVE OF COUNTRY

On its road towards becoming a global superpower, India can learn much from China

The author receiving the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award from President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind and First Lady Smt Savita Kovind

10 ▪ January-February 2019  Amit Waikar found that China has an amazing ability For example, when USA or Europe to be able to keep their political issues/ wanted to sell cars in China, China did differences separate from economics not simply attract FDI, but also enabled he wisdom of China relates, and business. The result is that coun- them to design and produce these cars among other things, to tries with different political systems are locally in China. Along with this China learning and adapting. Of China's biggest allies. This also has led also ensured that most of the individual specific interest to India is to China having business/economic al- components needed for these cars were the China experience of how liances across multiple nations having domestically sourced. This ensured that Tit managed to raise itself out of poverty. different political systems. in multiple cities across China, large Around the late 70s, the majority of I am part of that Indian mindset, ancillary eco-systems for automotive China was at or below the poverty line. where we tend to extend our political manufacturing were set up. Today, that number is well below ten differences to business or trade spheres. Thus, it was not only about per cent. It is estimated that 600 to 700 I have the same thinking – that if we have assembling the car in China. It was about million people have been amazingly, a political issue or disagreement with a manufacturing it from the scratch. positively affected in the last 25 to 30 nation, we convert that into an economic Second, China ensured that when years by China’s mass industrialization. disagreement. I think this makes the investment came in, so did the techno- Lives of generations have changed world a little fearful about investing in logy. They became part of that techno- rapidly. These parts of the China story are India. It is very likely for investing nations logy to be able to understand and highly relevant for India. to get worried about their investments nurture it. They set up well-equipped I don’t really consider myself a Non- in India. design institutes/knowledge centers Resident Indian (NRI). I come to India To ensure greater economic success of where they could study and learn from about four times a year. I am deeply our nation, we have to change and alter these technologies, and further develop impacted by the problems faced by our mindset. them for future needs. my nation. Poverty, the eradication Now, China is making cars that are not of diseases – these issues concern me Import brands, import only as good as those made by Americans much. The medical fraternity of India is technology – develop or Europeans, but also in some spheres deeply engrossed in dealing with simple domestic ecosystems better than them. China allowed the diseases like malaria, dengue, typhoid There is this smart, long-term thinking technology to come in, learnt from it and and cholera that continue to afflict our that I observed in China. China did then adapted the technology not just for nation. We can learn from China how it not simply allow investment to come the present, but for future use also. has tackled these. in blindly. China ensured that along One of the leading Chinese auto There can be a balance on this. attracting FDI, it was able to tap into the players is BYD, the acronym for Build From India, China can source quality- technology aspect as well. Your Dreams. The company was controlled global standard drugs such founded in February 1995 and began as as cancer fighting drugs at a reasonable a rechargeable-battery factory competing price. In turn, China can support India in the Chinese market against Japanese in its flight towards managing sanitation, imports. It is now making cars with eradicating common diseases. Like China can access the latest technology, pilot-less cars, China, India needs to achieve civic society quality-controlled vehicles that run on new technology fuel, cleanliness at mass level. hybrid cars. This is what our government is saying global standard By 2030, BYD’s vision is to be a – that we need to make this happen. We cancer fighting drugs global leader in New Energy Vehicles can benefit by co-opting China in our (electric cars). growth story. from India at a very Today, we are happy to see that mobile handsets are produced in India. Important to delink reasonable price. In I am glad to see that most of these political differences from turn, China can support foreign/Chinese mobile phone brands economic engagement are partly manufacturing these phones During my decade-long stay in China, India in managing in India. Now the next step would be I have observed how the Chinese think. sanitation, eradicating the Government- Industry tie up where Watching them has made me change per- such design institutes/knowledge centers spective in some significant ways. I have common diseases are set up which are able to completely

January-February 2019 ▪ 11 NAGPUR TO SHANGHAI LOVE OF COUNTRY

China has an amazing ability to be able to India First keep their political There are 50 million Non-Resident Indians rivalry separate (NRIs) all over the world. Only 30 get selected once every two years for the from economics and Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award. Amit business. The result Waikar is the first recipient of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award from mainland is that countries with China. At 43, he is also among the youngest recipients ever of the award. The different political award is given to Non Resident Indians for systems are China's their outstanding contribution in the field of business, in recognition of their valuable biggest allies contribution in promoting the honour and prestige of India, and in fostering the interests of overseas Indians. Amit Waikar, Senior Vice President Asia with Doehler food & Beverage Bilingual Sanad/scroll of appreciation for the understand the technology to build smart ingredients Co. Ltd, has been based at author under the hand and the seal of the phones, and also adapt the technology for Shanghai for ten years. He served as President of India next generation innovation. the President, Indian Association Shanghai from 2012 to 2016. Amit spear- I fully support incoming investment. headed PM Narendra Modi's hugely successful community event in Shanghai At the same time, I would like to see India in May 2015. He is closely connected with socially impactful organizations focusing on getting the know-how and like the Ramakrishna Mission, where he has been nominated as a life member. technology as well. Amit is on the board of Garje Marathi Foundation, a group mentored by Padma Today, India has become a major hub Vibhushan Dr. Mashelkar. The core aim of the group is to connect people from for low cost smart phones. It is good that Maharashtra spread across the world and to synergize efforts to give back to with part of smart phone manufacturing their roots and to Mother India. coming to India, we have also created Amit is a board member with Nagpur First, a non-profit organization with jobs. Once we focus on evolving and vision of being a catalyst towards making Nagpur a global city by 2020. investing in the technology for producing Over the last few years, Amit has keenly interacted with people from diverse these cost effective smart phones, there backgrounds and shared with them his knowledge about China. He was invited is no reason why India, along with China to deliver a talk at the Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha during the regular session of cannot be the power-house for the next the state legislature at Nagpur in July 2018. generation smart phones in the world. Amit has been regularly encouraging and supporting visits and study tours of I often interact with students in India Indian students to China. Recently, he helped organize the visit of architecture at diverse educational institutes. They students from BNCA Pune to Beijing and Shanghai in November 2018. sometimes say in jest that the Chinese are just a low cost manufacturer. My point to them is – please broaden your vision. Let us decide that there are few to have a plan wherein we adapt and get China today produces approximately industries where we will focus to be the better than the initiators. 80 % of the high end/technologically best in the world. These could be – mobile Let us take the case of solar energy. We advanced drones being used globally. phones, equipment and technology for are getting solar panels from China and This doesn’t happen merely by being a solar energy, equipment and technology other places. What I want to hear about low cost manufacturing source. for wind energy, technology for super- is ground-breaking research in India on Thus our focus needs to be – how does fast trains. solar technology. The research must be my country India get to the top league Of course we need foreign investment so sound and future-oriented that we when it comes to being the manufacturing to come in for these industries. We must become the top player in solar technology powerhouse of technology-aided next leverage the strength of our domestic in the world. generation products and solutions. market for these spheres. We also need We have land and we have ample

12 ▪ January-February 2019 The author welcoming PM Narendra Modi at the Indian community reception in Shanghai in May 2015 sunshine. We need to work hard to be at ecosystem. The members of such During the last ten years, I have the top in harnessing solar technology. ecosystem will bring in capital. They will observed that the Chinese are fond There can be government– private create jobs. of India. partnership. There can be universities Let us select top five sectors and For them, India is the land of Buddha, that tie up and pool resources to achieve provide what they need to get to the who is highly revered all across China. this objective. top – to be the number one in the Ayurveda, yoga, spirituality – these world in their respective sector. That is are held in high regard in China. I have Build strong industrial, what happened with the mobile phone found most Chinese to be positive or manufacturing base – industry in China. The support provided neutral about India. In ten years, I have cultivate and ecosystem by the Chinese government helped these not heard any starkly negative remark India needs to build a strong industrial industries soar. about India. 

January-February 2019 ▪ 13 SINO-INDIAN TOURISM HUGE POTENTIAL

China, India must work hard to attract more tourists from each other

14 ▪ January-February 2019 Both countries must promote knowledge and understanding of their tourism resources, increase number of flight cities, total flights

January-February 2019 ▪ 15 SINO-INDIAN TOURISM HUGE POTENTIAL

 Tian Xin the need to enhance and expand cultural exchanges between the two countries. exchanges and cooperation between the We should make our contribution to two countries. strengthen bilateral relations, to increase hina and India are neigh- Tourism is an important part of cul- mutual understanding and friendship boring countries with long tural exchanges, an effective way to in- between the peoples of the two history of friendly ex- crease mutual understanding, knowledge countries, and to promote cooperation changes. There are many and friendship between the peoples of and development. convenient conditions, the two countries. It is an effective bridge Chuge space for growth and bright pros- and a link between the two countries Huge growth potential pects for Sino-India tourism exchanges and their peoples. The people associated China and India have many natural and cooperation. with the tourism industry in China and advantages and favorable conditions In April 2018, President Xi Jinping India have the responsibility and obliga- for achieving higher tourism exchanges. and Prime Minister Modi held an tion to implement the consensus reached China and India are the two most populous informal meeting in Hubei Province, by the leaders on enhancing humanities countries in the world, with a huge China. The two leaders showed great vision, pointed out the direction for the development of bilateral relations and planned a blueprint. The relationship China and India are the two most populous countries between the two countries has opened in the world, with a huge tourist source market. The a new historic chapter, heading on a two countries have stable politics, good economic healthy track of peaceful coexistence, mutual benefit, win-win relationship, performance, stable and peaceful society. All these mutual learning and referencing, form the solid foundation for the development of common development and prosperity. In tourism in our two countries the informal meeting, the leaders of the two countries unanimously expressed

16 ▪ January-February 2019 tourist source market. The two countries outbound tourists in China reached more have stable politics, good economic than 130 million, and outbound spending performance, stable and peaceful society. was $115.29 billion. Chinese outbound All these form the solid foundation for tourists are widely valued and welcomed the development of tourism of our two by the destination countries. countries. China and India are close At present, Chinese citizens travel neighbours. The time needed to travel abroad mainly in short distance between the two countries is short, and destination countries. According to the the cost is low. Both the countries have statistics, at present, China has become rich and unique tourism resources and the largest inbound tourist source for strong complementarities, which are ten countries including Thailand, Japan, very attractive to tourists from the other South Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, country. The traffic is convenient because Russia, Maldives, Indonesia and South there are many direct flights linking Africa. Chinese tourists account for up different cities of the two countries. Also, to 30% of international tourist arrivals in Tian Xin is Director of China National goods prices and consumption levels of these countries. Tourist Office, New Delhi the two countries are close, which can China is also an important tourist be easily accepted by tourists from the source for the United States, United Arab other country. Emirates, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Canada. In China boasts of largest 2017, the number of Chinese tourists outbound tourists who visited Thailand reached 9.8 million. The potential tourist source market of There were 7.35 million Chinese tourists both China and India is huge. China is the who went to Japan, 4.17 million to South largest outbound tourist source market Korea, 4 million to Vietnam, 2.05 million in the world. In 2017, the number of to Indonesia, 1.5 million to Russia and

January-February 2019 ▪ 17 SINO-INDIAN TOURISM HUGE POTENTIAL

1.2 million to Cambodia. The number of Chinese tourists who have visited India’s neighboring countries like Maldives and In 2017, the number of two-way tourists between Sri Lanka have also exceeded 0.3 million. China and India was only over 1 million. Among this, about 800,000 tourists were from India to China, and India’s outbound tourism growing rapidly about 250,000 tourists were from China to India. This In recent years, India's outbound tour- is only a tiny proportion of the total overseas tourist ist market has grown rapidly. In 2017, arrivals in the two countries, and is far below the the number of India’s outbound tourists reached more than 20 million. China and numbers that can be expected India are not the main tour destinations for tourists from each other’s country yet. In 2017, the number of two-way tourists of China and India to promote personnel Areas to strengthen for between China and India was only over exchanges and enhance tourism coopera- tourism promotion 1 million. Among this, about 800,000 tion between the two countries. First, we should create good conditions tourists were from India to China, and To implement the consensus reached and a conducive atmosphere for enhanc- about 250,000 tourists were from China by the leaders of our two nations on ing the scale of tourism exchange be- to India. This is only a tiny proportion of promotion and expansion of humanities tween the two countries. This can be done the total overseas tourist arrivals in the exchanges, we need to work hard. There by strengthening positive publicity, and two countries, and is far less than the is urgent need to further enhance tourism ensuring the required guidance. numbers that can be expected. It is an development and tourist exchange The following steps are vital for the important task for the tourism industries between China and India. growth of tourism.

18 ▪ January-February 2019 FROM THE INDIAN EXPRESS, AUGUST 28, 2018   1. Globally, it is essential for people
  associated with the tourism industry to  take effective measures to protect the       safety of tourists and their properties.
  2. All the nations which want to    encourage greater international tourism   must protect the legitimate rights and   interests of tourists, and let tourists dare   to come and be willing to come. (')* !     2        3. It is essential to formulate and

           "    (*+,             2 implement policies and measures to   )1*        
    $   ' encourage and facilitate tourist exchanges #   $   !""  8 #(*+(   $ between our two countries.     %
 "           ' &'   "   4. China and India must strengthen     (*+-  $ "     (**( the publicity and promotion of tourism    "     $       $       #  # in each other country. This will enable (')* !  $      ##  "      ' the people of the two countries to have    (*+, ##    345     +. -. "  "        ( more knowledge and understanding of !     #  %// !&'   (')* #     the tourism resources in each other's "#  " "               '  (*+,  #   countries.       "     "   7   5. It is important to make the potential '  (*+0 ##    #  72   9(,+ $     #  $
      #  tourists aware of the products, routes, "     "   38 1       $  ' conditions and other relevant information  +1 7     9+(1 +,##   2 #  '  (*         in order to attract and encourage tourists 4  5     $  3  ##    " "   &     to visit each other’s country.     6  %345   38    ' :  6. We need to make transportation  "     $  " $  +). $    # ##    '"  345 (*+," 2 more convenient, increase the number of  +-)  "           " flight cities, and also flights between the     "   3  $  ++.'   2  $  #  7 "#  two countries in order to reduce the cost of travel and increase tourist attraction.    


7. It is essential to provide thoughtful,       meticulous, caring and practical services  for the tourists of both countries. These  include facilities to enhance understand- !"#$ % &   +%   
+<  ing of language, catering, travel signs, TV    @8 90AB   programs, appliances in hotel rooms etc., to maximize the convenience of visitors

 from both sides.

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the leaders of the two countries, and also with the joint efforts of Sino-India tour- ism related industries, tourism exchanges   

  and cooperation, the two-way tourist ex-   changes between China and India will get  a great boost. In this way, the tourism and      economic development and prosperity of the two countries will be promoted, and

 the two countries and their people will be

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 benefited. China and India tourism ex-

 

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January-February 2019 ▪ 19 PASSION PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE CONTACT From student in China to brand ambassador for India and Puducherry

Navagrah Temple near Puducherry

20 ▪ January-February 2019 Puducherry’s leap as a favoured destination for Chinese tourists ver the last couple of years, the late 1940s. He studied classical Puducherry is developing five Puducherry has seen a spurt Sanskrit in Varanasi and translated more beaches. The Puducherry India Oin the number of tourists Kalidas’s ‘Meghadut’ into Chinese. China Friendship Association is visiting the south Indian coastal city Chinese tourists now come to increasing the depth and breadth of to study Indian culture, experience Puducherry to learn Bharatnatyam and its linkages with China. yoga and the Indian systems of vedic Sanskrit. With the consistent The word-of-mouth feedback of holistic medicine. activities of the Pondicherry India China visiting tourists is drawing more The boost to tourism has come Friendship Association to involve more Chinese tourists to this coastal city. from the sustained efforts of and more Chinese at both government Puducherry expects a good growth Pondicherry India China Friendship and civic society level, the number of in the percentage of Chinese tourists Association (PICFA), a group of some Chinese tourists has increased also visiting here. locals driven by their desire to see for leisure activities in Puducherry like How did the leap in the number deep, meaningful people-to-people deep sea diving, or experiencing the of Chinese tourists to Puducherry contact between India and China. traditional Indian way of life. Chinese happen? The journey started with Creating awareness on Prof Xu tourists like to shop for handicrafts at one man’s love for China – the Fancheng has significantly increased Puducherry, incense, vetiver products, country where he studied and the visits of Chinese scholars and things made of sea-shells etc. worked for ten years. The man is students visiting Puducherry. Prof Chinese locals living at Auroville Dr. Das Bikash Kali. Fancheng, who lived for 27 years at in Puducherry and Indian students Here, Dr. Kali recalls his journey the Aurobindo Ashram at Puducherry, who have studied at China and know from an undergraduate medical translated the Upanishads and the Mandarin are available as guides for student to Founder & Secretary, Bhagwat Gita, among others into the visiting Chinese tourists. The Tea Pondicherry India China Friendship Chinese. Xu first came to India to Road Restaurant run by Mr Ramana, Association (PICFA), and China-India teach at Rabindranath Tagore’s Visva a Chinese gentleman, serves authentic Collaboration Consultant (education, Bharati University in West Bengal in Chinese food. culture, trade & tourism).

 Dr. Das Bikash Kali in various events, and organized discussions impacted me, and I decided educational and cultural programs that I would work assiduously to promote The Early Years across China. These experiences gave India China relations. I graduated as a medical doctor from Dali me valuable insight into the culture, After finishing by course at Dali University in Yunnan, China in 2011. I everyday life of China, and its policies. University, I worked as a consultant for had landed in Dali Prefecture, Yunnan I conducted and also served in medical a healthcare IT company in Chengdu. for joining Dali University as a medical camps and programs in many ethnic In 2007, I started an educational undergraduate. This was my first contact villages in Yunnan such as Heqin village, consultancy. I served as an educational with China and its people. I was among which is famous for its silver. I worked consultant for aspiring South-Asian the first batch of South Asian students in programs with WHO member Dr students who wanted to study in China joining the medical program in Dali. Eckhart, who was posted in Yunnan or come here for internships, or guide I was the class monitor for my batch. during my study years. Chinese students who wanted to study This brought me in touch with the During my early years, I experienced in India. Directors and Deans of Universities, the Chinese way of life at close quarters It has been my passion to establish and presented me with opportunities to by staying at the homes of my Chinese India-China collaboration programs. I undertake many educational and cultural friends. I was also active in assisting have been working since 2015 to achieve initiatives in China. various delegates who came to Yunnan. this objective. The first project we initiated I studied in China for six years. During During these occasions, I met a number was the Dali-Puducherry Friendship City this time, I participated and volunteered of diplomats. These interactions and rich Cooperation. As part of this program,

January-February 2019 ▪ 21 PASSION PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE CONTACT

we are assisting education cooperation is expected to not show any facial Cultural values in Chinese policy can between Dali University and Pondicherry expressions, whatever the occasion – a be often seen as the concept of mian zi University in the field of sports science political or business deal. We Indians – keeping the face for the words given, – Yoga and Tai Chi. The Memorandum are generous with our use of facial or the value of the words spoken. A of Understanding (MOU) is likely to be expressions. Our facial expressions are Chinese official gets recognition through signed this year. We have also worked strong, and at times even dramatic. his works. His popularity is determined with colleges and research institutes Hence our Indian classical dances have by how much he is able to keep the to assist them in establishing linkages abundant use of facial expressions too. value of words. His work gives him with Chinese medical colleges, and The Chinese consider keeping a tight importance in the community. with allied health care and educational control on their facial expressions a Confucianism and Buddhism have a institutions which teach traditional measure of sophistication. Hence, those strong and significant influence on how Chinese medicine. who do not fully understand Chinese China’s foreign policy, ideology and culture may find it difficult to understand alliances are devised. Culture plays an Essential to understand the Chinese, or may even misunderstand equally crucial role in state power, apart cultural differences them. from shaping economy and defense. I have been a fond traveler, and have India and China have historically Understanding and enhancing people-to- extensively travelled through China. engaged through scholarly exchanges people relations through cultural contacts The Chinese civilization has strong of wisdom. I found historical traces of can develop political, economical and social values like India, but the cultural Avalokitesvara and Tamil culture in mutually beneficial projects between expression varies. Cultural exchange is Yunnan. I also found linkages between India and China. an oft-ignored aspect of International ancient India and China in fields like There are some important Chinese relations. Cultural values impact what calligraphy, and in traditional medical cultural practices which I encountered. people and states want and think in practices like acupuncture. These are the Chinese ethnic ways of life, world affairs. The local Chinese of are always helpful. typical to the Chinese culture and civi- I have observed an interesting They value humility. They are always lization. Confucianism, Avalokitesvara difference between Indian and Chinese polite, and eager to establish contact with (Guan Yin Pusa) and The Chinese tea culture. A civilized person in China Indians with traditional cultural values. culture are part of the typical Chinese

Chinese tourists come to Puducherry to learn Bharatnatyam and vedic Sanskrit. In the last two years, the number of Chinese tourists has increased also for leisure activities like deep sea diving or experiencing the From left: PRC Ambassador to India Mr Luo Zhaohui; Chief minister Puducherry Mr V. Narayanasamy; Mr John Kumar, Special Representative of the Puducherry administration in New Delhi; Mr K. traditional Indian Lakshminarayanan, Parliamentary Secretary to CM; Mrs Radha Srinivasagopalane, President Pondicherry India China Friendship Association (PICFA); Prof Huang Xinchuang, former Director of way of life the Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies

22 ▪ January-February 2019 traditions that one steadily begins to understand, on increasing familiarity with the Chinese society. Chinese schol- ars in search of knowledge and wisdom How to boost Destination took journeys to India. Similarly Indian scholars travelled to China and learned India among Chinese tourists Chinese culture. This also helped in the spread of Indian wisdom in China. Customer-valued tourism plans This implies developing tourism strategies locally and nationally that are Efforts for linkages at based on Chinese preferences. It is important to develop linkages and government level activities to attract and indulge Chinese tourists such as Nadi reading, I had the opportunity to work with the Siddhas, Indian traditional healing methods etc Chinese foreign affairs department during the K2K (Kunming to Kolkata) Inventive Buddhist tourism circuits summit at Dali. I arranged various Buddhism tourism circuits should be developed keeping in mind that in meetings for Indian delegations in south- China, it is not only Gautam Buddha who is revered. Avalokateshwara west China. (Guanyin Pusa) and Bodhidharma (founder of Shaolin) are revered too. One such meeting was arranged by The Buddhist tourist circuits should also focus on areas associated with Pondicherry India China Friendship Avalokateshwara and Bodhidharma. Association (PICFA) for the Government of Puducherry with Dali government Heritage tourism officials in 2015. A high level delegation Chinese like to visit places of historical connections. Heritage tourism is from Puducherry visited Dali Prefecture a valued dimension for them. If they come to India, they would like to for initial talks on cooperation between experience Indian culture by staying in heritage houses and old towns of the two cities. Chinese local authorities India. They like to indulge in heritage walks and experience traditional were initially doubtful about the local activities cooperation with Puducherry. This is because of very low level of contact in Bharatnatyam appeal current times between south India and Bharatnatyam is famous in China. Tourism planners with a keen south-west China. understanding of Chinese love for Bharatnatyam will develop circuits My idea was that Puducherry-Dali where the love of this beautiful Indian classical dance form will find the relationship between the two govern- right express ments will help in developing cultural, educational and trade ties between Food habits south India and south-west China. It Chinese like to have their supper at 6 pm. Any good tourism circuits will help in developing people-to-peo- specially designed for the Chinese must adhere to these timings of the ple awareness and contacts. Initially, I visiting groups had to pursue this journey alone. There were very few people who Better air connectivity believed in this idea. This was simply India must ensure a higher number of direct flights from China to various due to huge lack of knowledge about parts of India each other, and the cultural differences between China and India. In addition to Information centers my initial aim of establishing connections Well-equipped information centers should be developed for Chinese at government level, I realized that my tourists with at least some members of the staff who can speak goal should also be to create awareness Mandarin. of Chinese culture in India and Indian culture in China. Hygiene consciousness Slowly, our efforts bore fruit. Both Chinese tourists are particular about clean and hygienic locations Dali and Puducherry governments have shown their support for each other in various ways. The Puducherry Chief

January-February 2019 ▪ 23 PASSION PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE CONTACT

meet Mr Ramana, who is a Chinese living in Puducherry. Mr Ramana had been a close companion of Prof Xu Fancheng, and had assisted him to travel back to China. Mr Ramana provided me with the deep insights into the life and works of Prof Xu fancheng in Puducherry. Mr Ramana is now 87 years old. He had travelled to Puducherry during the time of (Mother Mirra Alfassa and had settled in Puducherry. He has been living here for more than 30 years, helping to create awareness of Chinese culture through his Chinese restaurant by the name of The Tea Road at Puducherry. In order to promote India-China friendship, we initially started the Pondicherry Educational Collaboration Organization (PECO). This is now a sister concern of Pondicherry India China friendship association (PICFA). Through our organization PICFA, The author on a visit to Fuxian Lake during the Cooperation Dialogue with Linchang city Left to right: Lincang Foreign Affairs official Miss Vivian Dao; Kunming Foreign Affairs official Ms we occasionally organized events to Wang Ling; Mr Kiyas Suhood and Mr Roshan Pelpola, both Justice of Peace and Members of Urban promote India-China friendship ties. I Council, Gampola, Sri Lanka; Mrs Radha Srinivasagopalane, President Pondicherry India China would speak at these events about the Friendship Association (PICFA); Deputy Mayor, Linchang City Zhāng Shì Hóng common linkages between India and China, backed up with presentations on Minister Shri Velu Narayanasamy met Chinese and Indian cultural relations. Party Secretary leader Mr Chen Jian from Mrs Radha Srinivasagopalane, currently Dali Prefecture at New Delhi in February the president of Pondicherry India China 2018. Both showed keen interest in Friendship Association (PICFA), provided developing mutually-beneficial relation- intense support to form the association. ships between the two regions. After organizing many such meetings and interactions, we focused on Building on the legacy of organizing the symposium in memory Prof Xu Fancheng of Prof Xu Fancheng in March 2018. In 2016, I returned from China to take The symposium was organized with the care of my parents, who had moved from support of the Government of Puducherry Assam to Puducherry for health issues. and Embassy of the People’s Republic After I started living in Puducherry, I of China. Various other organizations learnt about Prof Xu Fancheng and his like Sri Aurobindo Ashram and INTACH amazing legacy from Sri Aurobindo (Indian National Trust for Arts Culture ashram. The legacy of Prof Xu Fancheng and Heritage) assisted and provided further motivated me to peruse strong their support to make the event a grand cultural relations between India and success. China. Mr Devdip Ganguli, a teacher from Government of Puducherry has Sri Aurobindo Ashram had researched on been highly supportive of our activities. Prof Xu Fancheng, and gave me valuable The Department of Tourism and the With CEO of Confucius International information on him. Mr Matri Prasad also Education Group Mr. Kong Lingtao, the 76th Department of Arts & Culture have provided me valuable information about descendant of Confucius and the Chairman of generously supported us by providing Prof Xu Fancheng. Later, I was able to World Confucius Foundation appropriate space for our events. Mr

24 ▪ January-February 2019 Our major works

2015: Established communication between Dali University (PR China) and Pondicherry University for cooperation in the field of sports science and humanities

2016: Established communication with Dali Prefecture (PR China); assisted and organized the visit of Puducherry government officials to Dali Prefecture for future cooperation

2017: Participated in international conferences on enhancing people-to- people relations between India and China organized by Chennai Centre for China Studies (C3S) and the Press Institute of India (PII) in partnership with Centre for Public Policy and Research (CPPR)

February 2018: Assisted and arranged communication between Puducherry Chief Minister Mr Velu Narayanasamy and Mr. Chen Jian, Party Secretary and head of Dali Prefecture, where both agreed for friendship city cooperation between Dali and Puducherry

March 2018: Organized and coordinated the symposium on Xu Fancheng, the Chinese scholar. Coordinated the visit of H.E. Luo Zhaohui and Chinese delegations

June 2018: Attended the Kunming 5th China South-Asia Exposition and participated in the conference of 1st China Southeast Asia Forum for Poverty Reduction

Feb 2019: Attended China India Cultural Percepts and Propositions - international conference by Chennai Centre for China Studies and Citizenarts, The author with Dali University Director of New York International Exchange and Cooperation Prof Zhang Rumei

K Lakshminarayanan, Parliamentary on donations, support and sponsors for Mr Sujit Ghosh and Mr Aniket Patankar Secretary to CM, played an instrumental our events and works. For most of our are among the Indian delegates who role in supporting and developing works, we pool in our own savings. will visit the event. The Vice Chancellor relations at government level between of Pondicherry University has also Dali and Puducherry. He was part of the Future plans been invited for the Dali University high-level delegation from Puducherry One of our prime focus areas is to build a International Day Forum. that visited Dali in 2015. Sino-India Cultural Centre in the memory In the first week of April, PICFA During his visit to Puducherry in of Prof Xu Fancheng at Puducherry.We is organizing the Dali Ethnic Photo March 2018, Chinese Ambassador H.E. are also concentrating on educational Exhibition in Puducherry, together with Luo Zhaohui suggested that we should activities and cultural events. Dali Art Factory. develop people-to-people relation in We are engaged in efforts to enhance During June-July, PICFA will send a the field of education and culture. With and enrich people-to-people relations team to participate in the Kunming Expo his inspiration and moral support, we between India and China through 2019 and showcase Indian handicrafts formed the Pondicherry India China wisdom (education) and culture. during the event. Our other events during friendship Association. In March, we are visiting Dali 2019 include participation in the Chinese The most difficult part for PICFA Prefecture. Our association will present Mid-Autumn Festival, Liberation Day, is to get funding. In India, there are no Bharatnatyam, a classicial Indian dance, Puducherry Heritage festival, Puducherry separate programs or grants for funding during the Dali University International India China Cultural Forum and birth any India-China associations. We depend Day celebrations Consulate Guangzhao anniversary of Prof Xu Fancheng. 

January-February 2019 ▪ 25 CENTRAL INDIA A TOURIST DELIGHT

TIGER COUNTRY

26 ▪ January-February 2019 Vidarbha waits for Chinese tourists Travel agencies of Vidarbha meet leading travel agencies of Shanghai and Guangzhou to spread awareness of tourism potential and boost traffic

Vilas Kale is Founder Secretary and  Vilas Kale Splendours of Central India Founder President of Vidarbha Economic Development Council, Trustee of Vidarbha Nagpur is the Gateway City to central Tourism Promotion Society, and Managing India, which comprises Vidarbha (Ma- Director of Cenin Tours and Travels Pvt Ltd ravel and tour operators in harashtra State), east Madhya Pradesh Vidarbha region in Maha- and parts of Chhattisgarh. Blessed with rashtra are looking forward abundant forests, mineral wealth, this to receiving tourist groups region is famous for its Cotton and from China. Leading tour Orange cultivation. Toperators of the region held meetings in Nagpur is almost equidistant from 2018 with some leading tour operators of the four mega metros, viz. Mumbai, New Shanghai and Guangzhou. Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata. It has excel- We are eagerly waiting for Chinese lent rail, road and air connectivity to the tourists to come and discover the natural whole of India splendors of central India, including our world-famous Tiger Reserves. Central Tiger and Wildlife Safaris India is also called the Tiger Country. In These are easily accessible from the inter- 12 Tiger reserves, more than 300 tigers national airport. Conservation efforts un- live in their natural habitat. We hope that dertaken by the Forest department and In 12 tiger reserves, more and more tourists from China shall some NGOs have resulted in a healthy more than 300 be inspired to visit our Tiger Sanctuaries, population of tigers. Today, they can be our amazing archeological and historical commonly sighted even in the buffer tigers live in their sites and beautiful landscapes, and be areas in almost all these Tiger Reserves. welcomed by our warm people. Panna, Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Sat- natural habitat. All tour groups from China shall be pura and Pench in Madhya Pradesh, and We hope that more provided with Mandarin-speaking tour Nagzira, Melghat, Bor, Tadoba, Umred- escorts. Also, tourists from China can Karandhla and Pench in Maharashtra are and more tourists expect good quality accommodation from home to the magnificent Tiger, along with from China shall be luxury to budget facilities. Good quality a variety of other wild life like Leopards, resorts and Jungle Camps with five-star Spotted Deer, Sambar, Bison, Neelgai, inspired to visit our facilities are available in all the Tiger Bear, Boars, Owls, Crocodiles. All these tiger sanctuaries, Reserves. areas are connected through natural Cities where tourists prefer to stay are forest corridors. our amazing Nagpur, Jabalpur, Raipur, Bhopal and Wild life enthusiasts can spend weeks Aurangabad. There are many restaurants travelling through the region and enjoy- archeological and where Chinese food is available, since ing the flora and fauna to their heart’s historical sites and Chinese is the most preferred foreign content. Beautiful landscapes, lush green cuisine in India. These restaurants offer forests, meandering rivers and rivulets, beautiful landscapes, Indian version of Chinese food. There are Satpuda mountains and sites of archeo- and be welcomed by two or three top-end expensive restau- logical and historical importance dot this rants that serve authentic Chinese food. region. These areas offer the visitor a our warm people

January-February 2019 ▪ 27 CENTRAL INDIA A TOURIST DELIGHT

treat of not just sighting Tiger and wild many individuals to serve the society in Near Wardha, one can also visit life, but a variety of experiences. many different ways. Paunar Ashram of Acharya Vinoba Sewagram Ashram is an experience in Bhave, a revered disciple of Mahatma Tribal culture of Gondi – the itself. It has well preserved cottages and Gandhi. aboriginal tribe of the region a serene environment. The exhibition on A visit to the Centre of Sciences for Tourists can enjoy the rich tribal culture display here unfolds the historic period Villages (CSV) is a rewarding experience. of the original inhabitants of the region, just before India became independent The centre is doing pioneering work in commonly known as Gondis – the from British rule. developing and propagating simple and Madias, Baigas, Sailas and Korkus. These affordable technologies to improve the tribes live near the Tiger reserves and quality of life and economy of rural India. offer a great opportunity to experience Tourists can enjoy the Tourists here can also visit Baba their culture, dance and music, arts and Amte’s (Magsaysay awardee) Ananad handicrafts, food, beverages and lifestyle. rich tribal culture of the Van project. Baba Amte was inspired by Mahatma Gandhis’s teachings. Lonar Meteorite Crater original inhabitants of The Centre for Rehabilitation of This is the world’s third largest meteorite the region, commonly Leprosy Patients is a deeply humbling crater. It is 1.83 km in diameter and experience. It is amazing to see the near 150meters deep. It has evolved into a known as Gondis – the miracle achieved by the saint-like doctor beautiful salt lake amidst a sprawling Madias, Baigas, Sailas here who has treated the patients. There forest, creating a beautiful eco-system of are beautiful gardens, handicrafts and a wide variety of birds and plants. Lonar and Korkus. These handlooms, all maintained and developed is an open-air geological museum. tribes live near the by the rehabilitated patients. Close to Lonar, there are ancient Visits to the Hemalkasa Project of Dr temples with beautiful carvings. One can tiger reserves and offer Prakash Amte and the Search Project comfortably travel to the world-famous of Dr Abhay Bang at Gadchiroli are Ellora Caves and Aurangabad, which is a great opportunity to inspiring experiences. These dedicated just 120 kms away. experience their culture, disciples of Mahatma Gandhi are doing yeoman service towards the poor and The Mahatma Gandhi circuit dance and music, arts the tribals. Mahatma Gandhi made Sewagram Ash- and handicrafts, food, ram near Wardha his home from 1936 till The Buddhist Circuit his death in 1948. The Mahatma inspired beverages and lifestyle Deekshabhoomi Situated in Nagpur, Deekshabhoomi is regarded as a pilgrimage center of Bud- dhism in India. It is considered sacred by Buddhists because this is where Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the author of the Indian Con- stitution and a leader of the oppressed masses, converted to Buddhism. Deek- shabhoomi has the biggest stupa in Asia, where the ashes of Dr. Ambedkar have been preserved in his memory. The Nagalok Study Centre is a Buddhist training and conference center located in Nagpur. It is a pilgrimage site where thousands of people come to see the famous Walking Buddha statue.

Dragon Palace Temple at Kamptee Beautifully constructed by the Interna- Tribal culture of the original inhabitants of the region, commonly know as Gondis – the Madias, tional Ogawa Society, Japan, the Temple Baigas, Sailas and Korkus has received international and national

28 ▪ January-February 2019 Mansar – Excavations from the 5th century These excavations have resulted in the discovery of shrines and a palace complex dating back to 5th AD. The palace complex has been identified as Pravarapura, the capital of the Vakataka king Pravarasena II. Adjacent to this palace, on Hidimba Tekri, an extensive temple complex has been unearthed. A 3 meter tall lime model of a male human figure in crouching position was found underneath one of the terraces of the temple complex. Significant 5th century sculptures of Hindu deities, artefacts and some Lonar Meteorite Crater coins have been discovered in the excavations. awards for its structural design. Both stop for the Gondi tribals. A big tribal The water reservoir around the site, domestic and international tourists fair is held here annually around ancient tools and other objects found visit Dragon Palace Temple through the February. The Maharashtra government here point to the fact that a large year. It is a centre of peace, friendship has invested hugely here to develop population inhabited the area about and harmony. facilities for tourists. 1600 years ago. The discovery has made Mansar one of the prime archaeological Hue en sang Dhamma Camp Patalkot (Valley of the Deep) sites in the country. Centre and Stupa Patalkot (Sanskrit for ‘very deep’) is a Located near Bor Wildlife Sanctuary, valley in the Tamia tehsil of Chhindwara Ramtek – the Hilltop Temple the architecture of the stupa is beautiful. district in Madhya Pradesh. It is spread This is a very ancient temple dedicated Statues of Gautam Buddha in various over 79 kms. The Doodhi river flows in to Shri Ram, a Hindu deity. It is believed expressions can be seen here. the picturesque valley. This horse-shoe that Shri Ram rested here during his shaped valley is surrounded by giant hills. 14-year exile. There are many other Mahasamadhi Bhoomi, Bhandara Trekking to the bottom is a wonderful tourist attractions in the area, including This boasts of statues of the Buddha in experience. Patalkot is the home of adventure rides and water sports. various postures of meditation. Each some rare medicinal plants and herbs. statue is minutely crafted and painted, The tribals are skilled at using these to Go-Vigyan Anusandhan and leaves the visitors spell-bound. make effective medicines. The herbal Kendra (GVAK) Mahasamadhi Bhoomi is famous for practitioners are known as Bhumkas. A unique research and development spreading the teachings of Buddhism. centre. It uses cow urine for health, agriculture and cattle protection. Kachargarh – The Koyli Kachar Caves Markanda Explore the ancient culture of the Gondi This is a Kharjuraho-style temple with tribals, and visit the caves where they amazingly beautiful sculptures, located lived. The uphill trek is a delight for on the river Wainganga. These temples those who seek adventure. Midway, one are dedicated to Lord Shiva, a supreme can see a small cave. At the top of the Hindu deity. hill, there is a gargantuan cave which can accommodate approximately 4000 Hill Stations of Chikhaldara people at a time. and Pachmarhi The Gondis practice a pagan religion Located in the Satpura mountains, these which symbolizes their concept of hill stations offer tourists a variety of service to all creatures created by the attractions and activities in a clean and power of nature. The caves are a revered Kachargarh caves healthy environment. 

January-February 2019 ▪ 29 TRAVEL TOURISM POTENTIAL

Incredible India

Challenges, opportunities for tourism growth

30 ▪ January-February 2019  Rajni Shaleen Chopra improved air connectivity, long haul low cost airlines and an increased focus on promotion and product development hy has Destina- could stimulate tourism flows, said the tion India been an report. under-performer CAPA observed that a likely reason in drawing tour- for the poor inflow of Chinese tourists to ists from Asia and India could also be that before the visit alsoW globally? This question has become by Alphons to push for Destination India, a cause of concern for the Government the Indian government had not actively of India. We are aware of the infrastruc- courted inbound tourism from China. tural challenges that India suffers from. But poor infrastructure does not explain Chinese tourism growth to key the lack of appeal of Destination India for competing Asian destinations Chinese tourists who have become the far outstrips India Rajni Shaleen Chopra is Executive Editor global drivers of tourism. According to the report published by of the India China Chronicle A report prepared by the Sydney-based Centre for Aviation, between 2007 and Centre for Aviation (CAPA) in September 2016, Chinese arrivals increased at 2018 stated that in 2016, India received an average compound annual growth fewer Chinese tourists than either Sri rate (CAGR) of 25.1% for a basket of Lanka or the Maldives. This is despite the jet destinations in Asia, but only 12.4% fact that as compared to India, Sri Lanka for India. and Maldives have a much more limited The average CAGR for inbound tourism product. tourists from non-Chinese markets to The three largest markets in the competing destinations was considerably region – China, Japan and South Korea – lower at 7.3%, underlining the role of accounted for only around 7.5% of foreign Chinese tourists in boosting inbound tourist arrivals in India, compared with tourism in these countries. Most of more than 35% in the case of Thailand. India’s competitors gained significantly The CAPA report said that in 2016, from the growth in inbound Chinese India received a total of 571,000 Chinese, tourists, said the report. Japanese and Korean visitors. Thailand, In August last year, Union Minister by contrast, welcomed more than 11 of State for Culture and Tourism KJ million tourists from these source Alphons made a strong pitch to increase markets. Simplified visa requirements, the inflow of Chinese tourists to India

In 2016, India received fewer Chinese tourists than either Sri Lanka or the Maldives. This is despite the fact that as compared to India, Sri Lanka and Maldives have a much more limited tourism product

January-February 2019 ▪ 31 TRAVEL TOURISM POTENTIAL

as he highlighted India’s diversity and assured the best possible security to India must harness its vast visitors. According to a report carried by The Times of India, the minister also tourism potential invited Chinese businessmen to invest in India’s burgeoning tourism sector. ndia is extremely diverse and has far such places. You cannot rely just on the Following the visit by Alphons, a Press more vibrant culture than China. It monuments. Trust of India (PTI) report from Beijing Iis up to the people of India, whether said that India was revamping its tourism they promote that vibrancy or fall in the Expand tourism marketing strategy in China, including opening trap of being cosmopolitan. Remember India has to get over the obsession of of a full-fledged regional tourist office – if India is not different from the West, the Taj Mahal and be more inclusive. in Beijing, as it pitched for attracting there is no reason for the West to come Although the Taj Mahal is beautiful, a good chunk of the country’s 144 here. It needs to be modern, but with it is not the only wonder of India. India million tourists. character. As the economy rises, it is the has cave architecture over thousands The PTI report noted that despite big responsibility of the citizens along with of years old and plenty of beautiful campaigns and e-visa facilities, only 2.40 the government to increase the Human granite temples that outdo the Taj lakh Chinese tourists visited India last Development Index of the nation. This Mahal. It is sad that we have not made year against 14 lakh Indians who visited will create enormous domestic tourism. international tourists aware of our China. Countries all over the world are When the domestic tourism scenario is cultural richness. They think that Indian making a big pitch for attracting Chinese good, then the international inflow of history begins from 10th century. India tourists as their numbers have crossed tourists will always be good. must invest more in tourism marketing. 144 million last year, the highest in In terms of infrastructure, India has India must make international tourists the world. to connect its highways, especially access Indus Valley cities like Dholavira During his visit to Beijing, the Union in the mountain sector. This can give and other places. We must give a boost Minister of State for Culture and Tourism rise to tremendous tourism. India’s to treasured sites such as Ellora Caves, said it will be good if India got 10 per cent North-East is largely unexplored. Such Elephanta Caves and many other of Chinese tourists in five years, which cultures much be promoted. A lot of places from South India to expand our could be about 14 lakh. He said that the money needs to be invested there for tourism marketing. Buddhist tourist circuit in India would the growth of tourism. You need to (Sanchayan Sarkar, PhD Research Fellow at be supported with better infrastructure. make tourists aware that India has University of Pittsburgh on Quora)

32 ▪ January-February 2019 Alphons also addressed one of the most limiting factors to Sino-Indian travel—air Passport power rank connectivity—by saying that he would ndia currently has a “passport power way to go to catch up with their well- “initiate a dialogue with the aviation rank” of 69, placing it alongside Sierra travelled Chinese counterparts. According minister to increase flight connectivity” ILeone and Sao Tome Principe in the to the most up-to-date statistics available between the two countries. In order to Global Passport Index. Indian citizens from India’s Ministry of Tourism, a mere assist Chinese tourists, the government can travel visa-free to 25 nations, qualify 24 million outbound trips were made had appointed Mandarin-speaking for visa on arrival in 39 and need to by its 1.3 billion inhabitants in 2017. guides at various airports. apply for a visa to enter 134. Chinese The United Nations World Tourism fare slightly better, at number 60 in Organization estimates that figure will China takes note of India’s the list, with visa-free access to 28 reach 50 million by 2020, driven by a thrust on tourism countries, visas available on arrival in growing and increasingly affluent middle China is aware of the rising concern in 46 and a visa required for 124. class, but that is only where China was India that it should attract more Chinese Increasingly, Asian holiday hotspots in 2009, when almost 48 million of its travelers. In August last year, Jing Travel, are looking to the region’s other very citizens made journeys beyond its borders. a leading voice for news and analysis on populous country with a fast growing Destinations from Phuket to Perth will Chinese global travel, noted that India economy and outbound tourism vie to attract visitors from both China and is waking up to Chinese tourism failure, industry. Airlines have been adding India – or Chindia, as Indian politician and aims to boost incoming Chinese routes between India and Thailand, Jairam Ramesh calls the neighbouring tourist numbers by 6000 per cent. while Australia saw record arrivals nations that together account for more The report published by Jing Travel from both China and the subcontinent than one-third of the world’s population. stated that India was finally acknowledg- in 2017, a trend that is expected to (Excerpts of a report carried by South China ing the fact that their country was lagging continue. Indian tourists have a long Morning Post (SCMP) in January 2019)

January-February 2019 ▪ 33 TRAVEL TOURISM POTENTIAL

India attracted 240,000 Chinese visits in 2017, and that’s without an upward trend (in 2016, the country received some 251,000 Chinese travelers). Bringing that figure to 14.4 million by 2023 would mean a 6,000 percent increase, an unprecedented explosion in Chinese travel to a specific destination, stated the report. Jing Travel’s tongue-in-cheek com- ment was that India’s tourism goals in regards to the Chinese market might be outside the realm of possibility. “It’s clear that the country’s tourism minister is ear- nest about wanting a bigger slice of the (Source: United Nations World Tourism Organization) Chinese tourism pie. While that is far from enough activity to boost India’s tourism from China by a staggering 6,000 percent far behind the competition for Chinese seen their tourism industries explode due over a five-year span, it’s undoubtedly a tourism. The report said that this was no to the growing Chinese tourism market, good first step now that India is beginning less than a huge missed opportunity for India has performed worse than even to realize the enormous potential within India’s nascent tourism industry. While some of the most far-flung and expensive the Chinese tourism market,” said the China’s other neighboring countries had destinations in the region. travel news and analysis portal. 

34 ▪ January-February 2019 To booth tourism with north Asia, India needs better air connectivity

weak link in India’s efforts to of Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives, draw more tourists from north require a visa to visit India. India’s visa AAsia has been lack of adequate application process was notoriously air connectivity. Direct air services cumbersome until late 2014, when the between India and North Asia are government introduced an electronic notably under-developed relative to visa scheme. the size of the economies. India and Nationals of 165 countries are Japan is also the only country in China, with more than one-third of the now eligible for this option for leisure, the world whose nationals are eligible world’s population between them, have visiting friends and relatives, business, to receive a visa on arrival in India, just over five daily non-stop services conference or medical purposes, which without prior application. South Korea in each direction. The frequencies to means that the vast majority of visitors will become the second country with Japan and South Korea are even fewer. can access this facility. Japanese and this privilege, effective Oct-2018. With Indian carriers, particularly Korean citizens have been able to low-cost carriers, expected to expand apply for e-visas since the scheme was A clear opportunity for their international footprints over the launched, with Chinese nationals being Indian tourism next 12-18 months, North Asian added the following year. North Asia represents a clear destinations are likely to be under opportunity for India to target for consideration, and this could provide a inbound tourism. The size, growth rate stimulus to growth. and propensity to spend of outbound China has sought a liberalization travelers from the region, particularly of the bilateral air services agreement China, can no longer be ignored. with India as its carriers are close to Amongst its diverse attractions, an exhausting their entitlement of 42 aspect of the Indian tourism offer that weekly frequencies. could potentially resonate particularly However, given the low level of strongly in North Asia is the ‘Buddhist utilization by Indian airlines, India circuit’ in the east of the country, is unlikely to agree to an increase in covering historical and religious sites of frequencies in the near term, especially significance from the life of Buddha. as a sizeable proportion of capacity on It will take a concerted effort and these services is being sold for onward investment by the government and carriage to North America. private sector operators in terms of marketing and promotion, as well as India made it easier for North tailored product development. And air Asians to visit by simplifying connectivity will need to be enhanced visa requirements significantly. Visa requirements can be a major But if successful, the resulting obstacle to travel given the costs, time contribution to economic growth and hassle that can be involved. This and job creation in India would be is especially true in the case of leisure transformative. travel, where travelers have alternative (Excerpts from the report carried by the destinations they can visit. Sydney-based Centre for Aviation (CAPA) in All foreign nationals, except citizens September 2018)

January-February 2019 ▪ 35 INDO-PAK CONFLICT JUDICIOUS ROLE FOR CHINA

For China, 62 billion reasons to be cautious in India-Pakistan crisis

Beijing has long walked a tightrope between Delhi and Islamabad, but the US$62 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has changed the game. Can it maintain these newly close relations while preserving regional stability?

36 ▪ January-February 2019  Ananth Krishnan the diplomatic balancing act that has been China’s trademark when dealing with India-Pakistan crises. This underlines aution has been the Beijing’s abiding objective, which is to defining characteristic of ensure stability in South Asia, particularly China’s past responses to when its economic stakes in Pakistan Indo-Pakistan crises, and have expanded rapidly following the February 2019 has been no launch of the China Pakistan Economic Cdifferent. Corridor (CPEC). Following the attack by the Pakistan- A network of motorways, energy based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror projects and a port on the Arabian Sea, group that claimed the lives of 40 Indian the plan envisages as much as US$62 security personnel in Pulwama, in the billion worth of investment, according to disputed region of Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. tensions between the neighbours are at While Beijing has vastly different rela- Ananth Krishnan is a Visiting Fellow at their highest since the Mumbai terror tions – and leverage – with the two coun- Brookings India and was previously a attacks of 2008. tries, it has nevertheless been cautious in China correspondent for India Today and The subsequent Indian air strikes on a involving itself in bilateral disputes, as The Hindu JeM camp in Balakot, Pakistan, marked much as Pakistan is the country China The article was published as ‘Opinion’ by the first use of cross-border air power likes to call its “all-weather” friend. South China Morning Post on March 2 since the 1971 war. In the recent past, however, this has Beijing’s response this past week has not translated into explicit support for closely mirrored its handling of past its ally. A case in point is the Mumbai Indo-Pakistan tensions, where it called attacks in November 2008, which, as was on both sides to show restraint. Foreign the case after Pulwama, saw Beijing call Minister Wang Yi delivered this message for both sides to show restraint. to both India’s External Affairs Minister A month after the Mumbai attacks, Sushma Swaraj – who happened to be China even supported a United Nations visiting China for a Russia-India-China Security Council (UNSC) application to (RIC) summit – and to Pakistan’s Foreign designate Pakistan-based Hafiz Saeed of Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in two the Lashkar-e-Taiba militant group as a phone conversations. terrorist, amid global outrage over the At the RIC summit on Wednesday, attacks. China has also been generally Wang came down hard on “breeding supportive of India’s stance that the Beijing has vastly grounds of terrorism”, and Swaraj Kashmir issue – on which Pakistan has different relations – thought his remarks important enough to often sought international support – is for highlight to the media, saying it showed the two countries to resolve bilaterally. and leverage – with China and India would cooperate on Delhi is very interested in whether India and Pakistan. eradicating those breeding grounds, in China’s deepening economic interests what was seen in India as a reference to change this calculus. Last year, India’s It has nevertheless Pakistan. The RIC joint communique army chief General Bipin Rawat described been cautious in also expressed in strong terms a common strategy on terror. involving itself in Yet by the time Wang was back in Beijing on Wednesday evening, he was on bilateral disputes, the phone to Qureshi, expressing China’s as much as Pakistan view, in an apparent reference to India’s air strikes, that countries should respect is the country China territorial sovereignty and not violate the likes to call its “all- norms of international relations. Both comments present a snapshot of weather” friend

January-February 2019 ▪ 37 INDO-PAK CONFLICT JUDICIOUS ROLE FOR CHINA

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (C), Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (L) and Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj at the 16th meeting of the foreign ministers of China, Russia and India in Wuzhen of east China’s Zhejiang Province the prospect of a “two-front war” as a real a fresh application to blacklist Azhar – concern for India. supported by the United States, Britain While the prospect of Chinese military Beijing’s abiding and France – was lodged with the UNSC intervention in an India-Pakistan conflict objective is to ensure on February 27. The 15 members of the appears remote in the near term, where sanctions committee have until March 13 China may come to Pakistan’s aid is stability in South Asia, to delay the bid, as China did in previous diplomatically. particularly when its instances. Since around 2010, Indian officials Beijing’s moves on this front are say they have seen a shift, for instance, in economic stakes in being closely watched in India. The view how China approaches the Kashmir issue. in Delhi is that China abstaining – and China has gone ahead with ambitious Pakistan have expanded allowing the terrorist designation to infrastructure projects in Pakistan- rapidly following the happen, as it did after the 2008 Mumbai controlled Kashmir despite India’s attacks – could help de-escalate the objections that it was disputed territory launch of the China current crisis and obviate the need for and past commitments that Beijing Pakistan Economic further pre-emptive action by India. wouldn’t involve itself in the dispute. Blocking the application, on the other Where China’s diplomatic backing Corridor (CPEC) hand, would send a clear signal that Chi- has appeared most useful for Pakistan na is firmly shielding Pakistan from any is at the UN Security Council. In 2016 international censure on the issue, un- and 2017, China vetoed two applications derlining the increasing tension between to designate Masood Azhar, the JeM China’s desire for regional stability on the founder and chief, as a terrorist – a one hand, and its need to preserve close move that would lead to a travel ban and relations with Pakistan on the other. the freezing of his accounts. After the That balancing act, it’s safe to say, is Pulwama attack, which the JeM claimed, now a lot more difficult. 

38 ▪ January-February 2019 January-February 2019 ▪ 39 TRADE GROWING IMBALANCE India losing trade battle with China 80% of two-way business last year was imports

For trade relations between India and China to become balanced, Chinese firms must also ‘make in India’ and not just sell to India.

40 ▪ January-February 2019  Ananth Krishnan India’s deficit. The trade imbalance, in China’s favour, is now $58 billion, up from $51 billion in 2017. China’s exports The article was published by The Print to India have grown to $76.7 billion, now on March 5 accounting for a record 80 per cent of the total two-way trade. In a relationship fraught with a history hile the United of political difficulties, trade has over the States and China past two decades emerged as among the inch toward a deal few bright spots. In the past five years to end their bruis- alone, two-way trade is up by one-third. ing trade war, India The problem is, even this bright spot isW still struggling with its lop-sided trad- is now in choppy waters. Campaigns by ing relationship with Beijing. India to open up the Chinese market to A commitment from China made by Indian IT and pharma exports haven’t President Xi Jinping to Prime Minister appeared to have made headway. Narendra Modi during the “informal” In April, at the Wuhan Summit, Prime summit in Wuhan in April last year to Minister Modi and President Xi discussed import more Indian goods, starting with increasing Indian exports of rice, sugar rice, sugar and pharmaceuticals, has and pharmaceuticals to China. But Indian had little impact on a widely imbalanced companies say that statements of intent trading relationship. from Chinese officials haven’t always New trade figures from China’s been followed through with action. Rice General Administration of Customs paint and sugar would, in any case, have a an alarming picture of relations with limited impact on narrowing the deficit. India’s largest trading partner. In 2018, India’s larger concern is with regard to two-way trade reached $95.5 billion, up services, and the lack of market access for Unlike how China 13 per cent from the previous year (when both Indian IT and pharma companies. An it stood at $84.4 billion). India’s imports, uneven playing field is hardly a uniquely approached the however, made up just $18.8 billion. Indian problem, and is one of the targets West, India opened But if trade has increased, so has of US President Donald Trump’s trade a market worth tens of billions of dollars to Chinese technology and power companies, while getting little in return, either in the way of Chinese investments in India or in terms of securing market access for Indian companies in China

January-February 2019 ▪ 41 TRADE GROWING IMBALANCE

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi meeting President of the People’s Republic of China Mr. Xi Jinping at the East Lake Guest House in Wuhan, China. war with China. However, unlike the office in Shanghai that has admirably US, whose market and technology is still championed Indian firms, but with very invaluable for Chinese companies, India A more coherent trade modest resources. has comparatively little leverage. India has suffered from a lack of Part of it is a problem of India’s own strategy could help a coherent strategy that has allowed making. India’s approach to trade with India achieve some Chinese companies from telecom to China has been ad-hoc and piecemeal, power to enter — and profit from — the lacking a coherent strategy. of its long-pursued Indian market without investing a dollar Unlike how China approached the objectives either in in India or offering reciprocal access to the West, India opened a market worth China market. Consider telecom. India is tens of billions of dollars to Chinese the China market or now one of the biggest overseas markets technology and power companies, while for Chinese mobile phone companies, but getting little in return, either in the way of in getting Chinese few are manufacturing in India. Chinese investments in India or in terms companies to make in There are lessons from China, too, in of securing market access for Indian how Beijing has used its market to attract companies in China. — rather than merely foreign companies, while at the same Indian companies, meanwhile, sell to — India time absorbing foreign technological ex- continue to have a range of non-tariff pertise and investment. While India may barriers in China, particularly in IT and not have the leverage to follow Trump’s pharma, where a lack of transparency example with China, there are, perhaps, in regulatory policy has hindered Indian is remarkable India doesn’t have an other lessons on offer. For a start, a more firms. While the lack of a level playing equipped chamber of commerce in coherent trade strategy could help India field has certainly disadvantaged Indian Beijing to help navigate the complex legal achieve some of its long-pursued objec- companies, here, too, our approach and regulatory requirements of the China tives either in the China market or in hasn’t helped either. market. The Confederation of Indian getting Chinese companies to make in — Unlike most Western countries, it Industry (CII) has had a representative rather than merely sell to — India. 

42 ▪ January-February 2019 DATANG ENVIRONMENTAL INDUSTRY GROUP “Time for India to move towards Only by observing “zero-defect and zero-effect” “We, the present the laws of nature “Zero defect in production with generation, have the can mankind avoid Zero effect on the environment” responsibilities to act costly blunders in its “We serve in protecting the environment as a trustee of the rich for future generation exploitation. Any harm Join hands with us for better living world” natural wealth for the we inflict on nature future generations. The will eventually return issue is not merely about to haunt us. This is a climate change it is reality we have to face. about climate justice.” President of China Prime Minister of India Mr. Xi Jinping Sh. Narandra Modi

China Datang Corporation (CDT) is an extra-large scaled power generation enterprise group and is a solely state-owned corporation directly managed by the CPC Central Committee with the registered capital of USD 2.9 billion. By the end of 2014, CDT’s assets both in operation and construction are distributed in 31 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions national wide with the total installed capacity of 140 GW, surpassing the threshold of 100,000MW to become an extra-large scaled power generation enterprise in the world. In 2015, CDT is listed as No.392 in Fortune Top 500 companies. Datang Environmental Industry Group (DTEG) is specialized in FGD for DeSOx, SCR/SNCR & DeNOx technology and are in this business for last more than 10 years. DTEG entered in Indian market with its subsidiary company Datang Technology & Engineering India Ltd, registered in December 2013. Businesses:  DTEG – Specilized in Environmental Protection Services.  CDTE – CDT’s Overseas/Domestic project entity to provide comprehensive One-stop BOT/EPC (+F) services.  DTEI – CDTE’s Indian subsidiary to provide Environmental solution services in the areas of FGD, DeNOx & dust removal. Datang Environmental Industry Group’s Major Achievements • Completed installation of FGD for 183 units of Power plants of total 140 GW. • Completed installation of Denox for 153 units of Power plants of total 56900 MW. • DTEG has commissioned 1st FGD system in India of 600 MW unit of ILFS Power project of 2X600 MW at Cuddalore Tamilnadu. • DTEG also has vast experience of operation and Maintenance of FGD system for many power plants in China.

“Committed to efficient generation of Power with sustainable form on Pollution Control” Datang Environmental Industry Group, China Datang Technologies & Engineering India Pvt Ltd, India No. 120 Zizhuyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 10097, P.R. Room No. 2, 2nd Floor, Shreeram Bhuvan 772, (+86)10-58389999 (+86)10-58389810 Mumbai – 400014, Mb. +91 9910072333 www.cdte.com.cn January-February 2019 ▪ 43 MANDARIN INDIA’S FASTEST GROWING FOREIGN LANGUAGE

From NAMASTE to NI HAO The growth of Mandarin language in the Indian consciousness

 Nazia Vasi This wasn't the case in 2010 when people of the world’s most populated I conceptualized my company, Inchin countries. If we didn’t speak each other’s Closer. My mission was to teach Chinese languages, how would we understand our andarin Chinese has language and culture to Indian profes- neighbours? Trust them and be able to become the foremost sionals. The thought was ahead of its shape the Asian century together? foreign language for time. People I spoke to didn’t know what My time in Shanghai helped. I had Indians to learn to- Mandarin was. Most hadn’t sat in a class- gone to the Paris of the East in the sum- day. It is coveted by room in the last 25 years. mer of 2006 to teach English. I had learnt MBollywood, international schools and In- But having lived in Shanghai, China Mandarin from a third generation Indian dian companies that want to spread their for three years, I understood the impor- Chinese man named Tony Wu in Mum- wings across the bamboo curtain. tance of bridging the gap between the bai. But when I landed in Shanghai, I

44 ▪ January-February 2019 found that I was unable to order water at My deep insights into the Middle King- a restaurant. The helplessness strength- dom, experience in working as the India ened my determination that if I ever head of a China-India tax and legal con- taught Mandarin, it should be effective. sultancy and travels across the breadth My teaching would ensure that profes- of China revealed to me the pain points sionals, tourists or friends would never be Indians faced in China. I believe in what stranded in a rapidly-developing China. Confucius said: If you are planning for a My experiences in Shanghai also gave year, sow rice; if you are planning for a me key points to include in the curriculum decade, plant trees; if you are planning we teach from today. At one time, a for a lifetime, educate people. friend’s father was visiting Shanghai for All these experiences culminated in an Expo. He contacted me desperately the setting up of my institute, which one day, enquiring where he could find functions as an India-China consultancy authentic vegetarian food. Being a non- and helps bridge the gap between the two vegetarian, I hadn’t encountered the countries linguistically and culturally. Nazia Vasi is Founder & CEO, Inchin Closer problem. However, when I learnt that (www.inchincloser.com) he had been surviving on potato chips In the beginning for a week because he was uncertain of I opened my institute in 2010. The first the vegetarian food offered at his hotel, few years were rough. I had to make a I realized that being able to express food mark. I had to build a brand, develop a preferences was a vital topic to teach, curriculum, employ teachers from China especially for Indian professionals. ‘At for an authentic learning experience and the restaurant’ is now an integral part create a series of textbooks and materials of our institute’s Beginners Mandarin especially for the Indian audience. Mum- textbook, so that each professional who bai did not have solutions for any of these learns Mandarin with us will never go challenges at the time. There wasn’t a for- hungry in China. malized way to teach Mandarin. Technol-

Beginners Mandarin students rejoice after passing the final test with flying colours

January-February 2019 ▪ 45 MANDARIN INDIA’S FASTEST GROWING FOREIGN LANGUAGE

ogy and applications for languages were few. Majority of Indians weren’t accus- tomed to learning from smart phones yet. Also, at that time, few Mandarin lan- guage institutes existed in India. Hence there was no standardized script to fol- low. With knowledge of China and her national language scarce, convincing people to learn Mandarin was challeng- ing. The dragon hadn’t yet awoken in the Indian consumer consciousness. There was no predetermined curricu- lum, textbook or Mandarin levels con- ceptualized specifically for Indian needs. Nor was there any market survey on price points or demand of the language. A course spread over 20 hours, for Rs 5,000, seemed an appropriate point to start by. Based entirely on my gut feeling, I began teaching Mandarin with Qin Wen, a Native Chinese teacher trained in- house, using a textbook created by me to friends whom I had convinced Mandarin was the language of the future. Setting up a Chinese language institute in Mumbai was an experiment only I had dared to dream of. At the time, I was probably the only The author with a Chinese film delegation at Gateway of India, Mumbai CEO who wished for competition. Com- petition would give me a benchmark – Applying Hindi phonetics to Mandarin one that I could then plot my institute against, and realize where to improve or pronunciations helps fine-tune spoken Mandarin. where I stood out. In the beginning, bringing in and Hindi phonetics enables us to pronounce subtle training Native Chinese teachers to differences in sounds clearly. This makes Hindi an teach Indians was one of the toughest feats the company faced. Selecting the important bridge to learn new languages. Suddenly, right Chinese teachers was the easy part. a language that seems daunting and difficult Convincing them to come to India was the difficult part. Not many Chinese becomes easy, because you are learning it from a parents wanted to send their young language that you are already very familiar with daughters to India. Fortunately, I found help. Mr. Prabhu Deodhar, President of India China Economic and Cultural Council (ICEC) Designing the curriculum the format, what to teach and how to who at that time stepped in to sponsor Being a pioneer in a field has its thrills, present it were academic hurdles we and assist in bringing the teachers from but one has to face formidable challenges encountered. I depended on my gut again China. We were the only institute at that too. Designing the curriculum to teach – the belief was that since Indians and time which specialized in employing Mandarin was one such challenge. I was Chinese shared a rich, diverse history, native Chinese teachers, a feat we are building a language institute charged with we should use our commonness to know proud of even today. passion, but without the professional each other better. expertise of an educator. Deciding on While studying Mandarin in Shang-

46 ▪ January-February 2019 from a language that you are already very As the third round began, the impor- familiar with. tance of Mandarin grew throughout In- dian boardrooms, Large Indian compa- Mandarin gaining popularity nies demanded Mandarin be taught to 2013 is when Mandarin language really their employees to keep them relevant. picked up in India. Chinese companies International schools too reached out to had begun to heavily invest in the elephant us to teach Mandarin to impressionable economy, and the Chinese dragon was children. We again expanded, developed waking up to the potential of the Indian a new curriculum, found and trained economy. In 2014, President Xi Jinping, more native Chinese teachers, and rode who is exporting China's model of the wave of Mandarin training for cor- state-led development in a quest to porates and school-children. By now, our create deep economic connections, brand-name had been built. Companies promised to spend US$20 billion in and international schools wanted us for Indian industrial and infrastructure the authenticity, quality and profession- projects over five years. alism we are now known for. In 2015, Alibaba invested US$500 Revenues grew manifold in those million in Snapdeal and US$700 million years as demand to acquire a working in Paytm. knowledge of the language gained impor- The following year, Tencent invested tance. Businessmen flocked to our cen- US$150 million in Hike, a messaging ters, eager to gain a taste of Mandarin. app, and a consortium of Chinese inves- Lawyers, traders, diamond merchants, tors paid US$900 for media.net. In 2017, entrepreneurs and owners of family busi- Alibaba and Tencent announced or closed nesses joined our weekend batches to fur- deals valued close to US$2 billion—Ali- ther their professions. They realized that baba’s second tranche of US$177 million the language would empower them to in Paytm, US$150 million in Zomato, speak, negotiate and thereby gain better US$100 million in FirstCry and US$200 deals with their clients. Additionally, the million in Big Basket. Tencent’s invest- knowledge of Mandarin would help them hai, I had realized that applying Hindi ments included US$400 million in Ola, to secure an international posting, simul- phonetics to Mandarin pronunciations US$700 million in Flipkart and a second taneously assuring them a better salary helped me fine-tune my spoken Man- round of investment in Practo. and quality of life. Third generation Chi- darin. Most Indian languages are highly By 2017, Bollywood was well known nese also joined our classes to learn the phonetic. They enable us to use subtle dif- in China. Indian production houses were language of their forefathers. ferences in sounds that the English lan- plotting for ways to enter the Middle We saw more and more school and guage doesn't offer. This makes Hindi an Kingdom and perform their own little college students take to Mandarin too. important bridge to learn new languages. magic show. Aamir Khan’s 3 idiots had They figured the Emperor’s language Taking this uniquely Indian technique become a pirated and then official media would enable them to stand out from from my days in Mandarin classrooms, I blockbuster. The dragon and the elephant the crowd in college applications, and added the learning of Mandarin phonet- decided to tango on soft power. Yoga give them an edge over the rest of the ics from Hindi into my curriculum. gained traction. Through Aamir Khan, Indians applying abroad. Our roster of Our mission was to highlight the the Chinese realized that India wasn’t students now also includes politicians connection between our nations and the land of snake charmers anymore, who privately seek fluency in Mandarin, emphasize that we should celebrate our but a bustling new hub for software, a enabling them to gain profitable deals similarities. The textbooks of the institute huge consumer market and a profitable with Chinese businessmen. now seamlessly incorporate Hindi to production hub. teach Mandarin phonetics. We have A part of the Indian found that this method makes it easier The third round begins consciousness for Indians to pick up perfect Mandarin Thus started the third round of civilization In 2016, learning Mandarin got formal- pronunciations. It also helps ease people collaboration between India and China. ized. Indian students gained access to into the language. Suddenly, a language The first came with Xuan Zhang’s journey scholarship programs more easily. With that seemed daunting and difficult to India. The second was British-led tea knowledge of Mandarin, more Indians becomes easy, because you are learning it and opium trade. could access China’s similarities with

January-February 2019 ▪ 47 MANDARIN INDIA’S FASTEST GROWING FOREIGN LANGUAGE

India first-hand. Our institute was in- vited by the People’s Republic of China’s Consulate, Mumbai, to send the first ful- ly-paid scholarship student to Beijing’s prestigious Tsinghua University to study Mandarin for a year. Within the same year, our institute started training and registering students for the HSK or Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi, a standardized test designed to ascertain the written and comprehension levels of Mandarin for international students. So our curriculum and materials were revised again, this time to match the HSK exam requirements. We also wanted our curriculum to reflect the changes in expe- riences that Indians faced in a developing The author with People’s Republic of China Consul General Mr. Tang Guocai, Maharashtra Minister of tourism Mr. Jayakumar Rawal and others China. Additionally, we were now dealing with a technologically advanced India, one in which working professionals were Now lawyers, traders, diamond merchants, accustomed to learning through apps. This advancement enabled our institute entrepreneurs and owners of family businesses to include technological aids into our learn Mandarin to further their professional teaching techniques, leading to the 21st century classrooms we have today. goals. The language empowers them to speak, The year 2019 marks nine years of op- erations for our institute. We have taught negotiate and gain better deals with their more than 60 Beginner Mandarin cours- clients. The knowledge of Mandarin helps them es, 20 Intermediate courses, 10 Advanced Mandarin courses and 10 Character Writ- secure an international posting, assuring them ing courses. We have taught at seven in- of a better salary and quality of life ternational schools, trained staff in five Indian and international companies and translated documents and interpreted for scores of companies and delegations. ways. Yet others have joined politics, the and location possibilities. We’d like to believe that we have built IFS and IAS. They are influencing the In the next few months, our institute an ecosystem, one where our students way our countries interact. plans to revive classes for children. We are productive parts affecting business, Having created the impact I set out to, hope to grow our translation business. I trade, policy, tourism and cultural re- gained the recognition that I have and expect the demand for Mandarin to grow lations between India and China. The having established our institute at the as professional opportunities increase. depth of knowledge and understanding cornerstone of the China-India language This could lead us to create a separate re- they have gained in our classes has em- exchange, the future looks bright to me. cruitment department, aiding companies boldened them to apply their awareness In the coming years, I plan to adopt to find the right candidates with appro- forward. Many have joined Fortune 500 technology in our classrooms to teach priate Mandarin skills. companies in India, Singapore, Hong Mandarin to many more Indians. I plan For now, our Mandarin language Kong and China and are leading the way to partner with schools and universities classes continue to impact a new genera- these companies do business with China. to develop a China studies center. On tion of professionals, policy and decision Some others are making films based on the cards is also a teacher training course makers. We are glad to be playing a sig- the culture, stories and poems learnt in to enable women to teach Mandarin nificant part in the people of the world’s class, influencing China in softer, subtler and earn an income with flexible time two largest nations Inchin(g) Closer. 

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• ` 100 Fly across the Himalayas and reach the land of a thousand pleasures TO GO FORWARD

Email: [email protected] WEWebsite: www.cnto.org.in MUSTBridgingJackie borders Chan LOOK BACK The farther backward you can lookoffscreen AGRI-BUSINESS Noodles the farther forward you Entangledcan see, Winston Churchill once famously said. This can't be truer for India- INTERVIEW January-February 2019 Shanghai will set up ▪ 49 a Free Trade Zone China relations steeped in history. Deng Xiaoping A Daughter’s Memoirs

Higher Education

Breaking EDUCATION the Barrier Catching up with Two Locomotives China on education Chugging on Track

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Add:118 New Delhi House, 27 Barakhamba Road, New Delhi -11001 INDIA Tel: 0091-11-43596075/77/78 Email ID: [email protected], Website: www.csair.com LANGUAGES TAMIL IN CHINA

Students with their Tamil professor from India, Dr Sundaram Lakshmanan, during the speech contest at the School Chinna Chinna Aasai Learning and teaching Tamil in China

 Kiki Zhang It is as old as Chinese, and is spoken by Mesmerized by the radiance of the soft almost one hundred million people in the power of India, I set my mind to learn an “Tamil? What? Why?” world. Yet, it is rarely known in China. Indian language for major. Tamil was the very time when asked In the whole of China, you will not only Indian language offered that year. about my major in college, be able to find more than 40 Chinese Looking back, I believe destiny my answer would lead to who can speak Tamil. When people ask brought Tamil and me together. Now I predictable questions of me, “Why Tamil?” I cannot offer grand treat Tamil as a part of my body and soul. “What?” and “Why?” reasons. When I was choosing my major, I fell in love with it because it became EMy undergraduate major, Tamil, is I didn’t know much about it. I only my key to a new world. The world with one of the oldest languages of the world. knew that Tamil is an Indian language. a completely culture, society and people.

50 ▪ January-February 2019 After four years of studying Tamil, I joined the Tamil Service of China Radio International (CRI), a media center that makes multimedia programs for audiences from all around the globe. For most countries, CRI has set up only one official language department. For India, China has two language departments – Hindi and Tamil. We received letters and emails from a large number of Tamilians, expressing happiness and support on hearing Chinese people communicating with them in their mother tongue with great effort and passion. In 2013, I went to Hong Kong for my masters degree. After graduation, I got a job there. Although I was no longer earning by using Tamil language, it was still a part of my life. I read Tamil news, listened to Tamil music as before, and got to know the Tamil community in Hong Kong.

Time to be a Tamil teacher In October 2017, when I was working in Hong Kong for the fifth year, I got a Kiki Zhang (Zhang Qi) is heading the Tamil department WeChat message from Professor Zhu at Yunnan Minzu University Juanhua, the former director of Tamil Service, China Radio International. Prof Juanhua was also the visiting professor of Communication University of China, where I finished my undergraduate After four years of studying Tamil, I joined the study of Tamil major. She told me that a Tamil Service of China Radio International (CRI), university in Yunnan province had newly a media center that makes multimedia programs established a Tamil department. A Tamil “ for audiences from all around the globe. For most countries, CRI has set up only one official language department. For India, it has two language departments – Hindi and Tamil

teacher was urgently needed there. “The life and work there. The message from university told me that there is increasing Prof Juanhua put me on the horns“ of a demand for Tamil professionals in the dilemma. On one side was the city I loved job market, so they want to open up a and the life that I got used to. On the Tamil department. I think you would be other side was a job teaching Tamil, the a suitable person for this job if you are language I am crazy about. The idea of interested,” she told me. helping young people learn this beautiful I was perplexed. Two more years language was so enchanting. in Hong Kong, and I could become a As suggested by Prof Juanhua, I made permanent citizen there. I had never a phone call to Prof Fang Zhen, the Dean Students doing conversation practice thought of leaving Hong Kong. I liked my of the School of South Asian Languages

January-February 2019 ▪ 51 LANGUAGES TAMIL IN CHINA

and Studies of Yunnan Minzu University (YMU). She sounded very sincere, and asked me to come to the university to deliver a lecture on the introduction of Tamil. “You can take it as a chance to see our campus, the students, and our School, feel the atmosphere here. Then you can decide whether you want to come.” In November 2017, I came to the campus and gave the lecture. I was touched when some students came to me and showed their enthusiasm in learning more about Indian culture and Tamil language. “Ms Zhang, if you don’t come to teach us Tamil, we might not be able to have this major here in the university! But we are keen to learn it!” they told me. When I went back to Hong Kong, the Dean sent me a long message. It illustrated their determination to establish the Tamil Department. “Our School wants to become a pioneer center for south Asian language studies in China. We already offer majors in Hindi, Bengali, Nepali, Urdu, Pashto and Sinhalese. Tamil deserves to be one of the languages in our portfolio. You would be the founder of the Tamil Department here. You can pass the torch of Tamil study to the younger generation by becoming a teacher here, ” she told me Her words touched my heart. Although it was truly a hard decision to make, eventually my passion for Tamil Student discussion in class won the battle for the teaching job in the university. Besides the pragmatic aspect, the charm of Tamil A Tamil teacher in China I am completing almost an year of language and culture itself is a big reason to learn this teaching in Yunnan Minzu University. beautiful language. I found that some of my students YMU is a university located in Yunnan “ shared the same story as mine. They did not know province, a southeast province of China. From ancient times, Yunnan has been a much about the language when they opted for it. But transportation hub for China, south Asia once they started learning it, they fell in love with it and southeast Asia. Compared to other places in China, Yunnan has closer links with its geographical neighbours. flower rain in Tamil, it is written like sounded like it was full of sweetness. I began with a class of six students, this. Camaneri means the way of justice, I felt immense pride as a teacher to “ all raring to learn Tamil from scratch. it is written like this… ” One by one, see my students’ progress in learning In the first class, in order to arouse their I explained the names to them. The Tamil. Now, the students can write small interest, I listed some Tamil names for students were full of enthusiasm and Tamil compositions. They can make them. I asked them to draw lots to decide curiosity. They said Tamil characters up small drama shows and role play the name they got. “Poomazhai means looked like flowers and the language in them. Students are so interested in

52 ▪ January-February 2019 The author taking a class

Tamil culture. They watch Tamil mov- poems and translate them into Chinese It was a vivid lesson for my students ies, listen to Tamil music, and sing their someday!” to know the integrity and pride of the favorite song Chinna Chinna Aas- A few weeks ago, we conducted an language and culture they are learning. ai (Small small wish) – from the Tamil online video chat with an old Tamil Another touching occasion was when I blockbuster Roja. scholar in class. We wanted to convey got some primary school textbooks from In the big gala at the School, they drew our thanks for his help for our newly- Tamil Nadu. The first pages of the books Kolam during Tamil festivals. Sometimes established department. It was also an carried the lyric of the Indian national they spoke about chinna chinna aasai opportunity for the students to interact anthem in Hindi, Tamil and English. – their ‘small small wish’. with a Tamilian and get encouragement We also saw three small paragraphs in “When I go to India, I will meet a from him. When my students and I spoke both Tamil and English. These were beautiful Tamil girl and maybe fall in love greeted and spoke to him in Tamil, we invocation to the Goddess of Tamil, The with her…”. saw tears in his eyes. He said he was National Integration Pledge, and the “I want to wear a south Indian saree very happy to see the effort made by student’s vow before Mother India. From and walk down the beach of Chennai…”. Chinese students to learn his mother these, we could deeply feel that those who “I would love to travel around language, and their passion to master it. had written these books were educating Tamil Nadu someday and taste all kind of We know that Tamilians are very proud students not only about their racial Tamil food!” of their mother tongue. The tears in this identity, but also about their love for their “I want to research Bharathiyaar’s old gentleman’s eyes touched our heart. motherland India.

January-February 2019 ▪ 53 LANGUAGES TAMIL IN CHINA

The author with her colleagues at a Deepawali party

Challenges and Solutions The extent of happiness and pride Most people believe that close and friendly that I felt in seeing the progress of my relations between the elephant and the dragon can be students was also closely connected to beneficial to all of Asia and the world. We have many the challenge of teaching Tamil in China. “ Tamil is not an easy language to learn. corporations and enterprises from both countries Secondly, it is very different from Chinese, doing business with each other. There is so much of the mother tongue of these students. In cooperation and exchange happening every day among the beginning, reading a normal Tamil text seemed like a tongue twister to them. different kinds of organizations in our two countries Students tried many ways and spent much time practicing the pronunciation, especially the trills. Spoken Tamil is very Tamil easily. The books on Tamil edited built spaces for ‘Practice Building of different from written Tamil. Hence, or written by Chinese experts are even South Asian languages’. As part of this “ learning how to speak Tamil was a major rarer. Finding suitable and resourceful program, classrooms are equipped with challenge for the students. Tamilians textbooks and learning materials multimedia learning devices like touch- speak their mother tongue so fast that continues to be a big task for me. screen computers, long-distance live if they tried writing the same, it would We had faced these similar challenges teaching devices and so on. Students seem to be a different lanauge. when I was studying Tamil in university. can be immersed in the language Another challenge we faced was the The youngsters now are luckier, because environment by using these tools. lack of Tamil learning and teaching they have much higher access to new This semester, we also hired a resources in China. You cannot get media. Our university encourages new Tamil professor from Chennai to help books, materials or products related to pedagogies in teaching languages. We students with spoken Tamil. His name

54 ▪ January-February 2019 The author and her students attend a traditional south Asian party is Dr Sundaram Laskhmanan. Besides organizations in our two countries. It is charm of Tamil language and culture authentic courses, he can also bring also being encouraged at the highest level itself is a big reason to learn this beautiful native learning materials in both hard in both the nations. Numerous Chinese language. I found that some of my copies and audio-visual form. As for the and Indian students are fulfilling their students shared the same story as mine. lack of learning and teaching resources, dreams in each other’s countries. The They did not know much about the with the help of our Tamil professor close ties between China and India are language when they opted for it. But once and my Tamil friends, we are editing undeniable. This is the reason Chinese they started learning it, they fell in love textbooks and learning materials that are people sincerely want to learn the with it. suitable for Chinese students. languages and cultures of India. Tamil One of my students said to me, is one of the beautiful, unsung treasures “Ms. Zhang, an ancient and beautiful Higher demand for of India. This beautiful language will get language like Tamil should be known Tamil in China more and more attention when people by more Chinese people, especially The relations between India and China know India better. They will learn that young language learners like us. Tamil have always been an important subject Tamil is a very influential culture and and Chinese cultures are both full of between the two countries. Most people language in south India. wisdom. We should communicate more believe that close and friendly relations After I became the Tamil teacher in and know each other better! I would like between the elephant and the dragon Yunnan Minzu University, I received in- to become a Tamil teacher or researcher can be beneficial to all of Asia and the quiries from various companies and orga- in the future, so that I can promote its world. We have many corporations and nizations, especially those doing business brightness among more people and enterprises from both countries doing in India, about my students. They spoke become a bridge of exchange for the two business with each other. There is so much of their need for Tamil professionals, and cultures.” After hearing these words, I felt of cooperation and exchange happening sought cooperation with us. that my decision of leaving Hong Kong for every day among different kinds of Besides the pragmatic aspect, the teaching Tamil was the right choice. 

January-February 2019 ▪ 55 CHINA INNOVATION China to complete artificial sun device this year: official

The HL-2M Tokamak device fusion, which is often dubbed as the composed of electrons and ions, and the is designed to replicate the “artificial sun.” country’s existing Tokamak devices have Achieving an ion temperature above achieved an electron temperature of over nuclear fusion process that 100 million degrees Celsius is one of 100 million degrees Celsius in its core occurs naturally in the sun the three challenges to reach the goal of plasma, and an ion temperature of 50 and stars to provide almost harnessing the nuclear fusion, and the million degrees Celsius, and it is the ion core of the sun is widely believed to be that generates energy in the device,” Duan infinite clean energy through 15 million degree Celsius, meaning that said. To bring up the ion temperature controlled nuclear fusion, the ion at the device’s core will be seven to over 100 million degree Celsius, we which is often dubbed as times higher than that of the Sun, Duan need higher device parameters, injects Xuru, an official of the China National and absorbs more energy, and operates the “artificial sun” Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) was quoted with a more advanced working mode, as saying by the state-run Global Times. Duan said. The other two challenges are contain- The new HL-2M device will possess  PTI report in India Today ing the fusion within a limited space in such capabilities, and hopefully will the long term, and providing a sufficiently elevate the current device’s plasma high density profile, Science and electric current level which shall greatly hina plans to complete the Technology Daily reported on Monday. enhance the plasma’s parameters pro- construction of the artificial “The artificial sun’s plasma is mainly viding a main technical support for sun this year, achieving an China’s participation in the experiment ion temperature of 100 and operation of the International Ther- million degrees Celsius, an monuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), Cofficial has said. Science and Technology Daily reported. The HL-2M Tokamak device is The ITER is a large international scien- designed to replicate the nuclear fusion tific project that is a global collaboration process that occurs naturally in the sun of 35 countries, including China, Russia and stars to provide almost infinite and the US.  clean energy through controlled nuclear

56 ▪ January-February 2019 GUPSHUP GUPSHUP

Image courtesy: BBC.com ‘Virginity Tree’ ritual at New Delhi college shared on Chinese social media A news from India shared on the Chinese social media in February was the ‘virginity tree’ ritual in a college in New Delhi. The news report said that this ritual had been held on Valentine’s Day for many years. On this day, male students would host a pooja (Hindu ritualistic worship) at the tree called the “Virgin Tree” or simply the “V-Tree”. The students would hang balloons, colourful ribbons and condoms filled with water on the campus tree and pray to “curvaceous goddesses” in the hope that it would help them lose their virginity. A male student dressed as a Hindu priest would perform rituals. Hundreds of boys would sing a hymn in praise of the “hot and sexy goddess”, given the name Damdami Ma. They would offer prasad (food offering) to the goddess, and then dance around the tree and celebrate. This year, girls strongly protested the ritual and demanded that it be shelved, calling it “patriarchal” and “misogynistic”. A BBC news report said that over the years, a legend had grown that worshipping at the tree would help a student lose his virginity within six months. “In a largely conservative country like India where pre-marital sex is still taboo, many young adults believe nothing less than divine intervention will help them hook up,” said the BBC report. Teli Venkatesh, the 19-year-old president of the boys’ hostel union which organized the event this year, described the ritual as “harmless fun”. He said it started “because people wanted to celebrate love”. Female students said the event “sexualized and objectified” women. Perhaps because of the rising tensions over the ritual, students did not put up a poster of a sexy movie star this year. Instead, they put up a poster of India’s celebrity couple, cricket superstar Virat Kohli and his wife Anushka Sharma, a Bollywood star.

January-February 2019 ▪ 57 Robbers loot Xiaomi phones worth Rs 1 crore Another news on the Chinese social media from India was the robbery of Xiaomi cell phones worth Rs 1 crore. A truck carrying Xiaomi cell phones was robbed in February in Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh. The incident took place while the truck driver had stopped his vehicle to rest for a while. The robbers thrashed the driver, tied him to a tree and drove away with the truck containing Xiaomi cell phones worth Rs 1 crore. Police said that the robbery seemed to be preplanned, and suspected the role of a company ‘insider’. Prices of each phone in the truck ranged between Rs 6,000 to Rs 14,000, said the police. A robbery case was registered and an investigation was launched. Image courtesy: switchedoninsurance.com

Chinese Four Generation Meme Challenge #FourGenerationsOneHouse, which started as a meme in China, captured hearts of people from all over the world. The media called it the Chinese Four Generations challenge, and the ‘most wholesome meme of 2019 yet’. The meme was recreated by families in India, Peru, Norway and other nations, celebrating the love of family.

58 ▪ January-February 2019 GUPSHUP

Chandigarh Post Office sends parcel meant for Chaina in Punjab to Beijing, China

A woman named Balwinder Kaur, a resident of Chandigarh, sent a parcel containing medicines to her mother who lives at Chaina, a village in Punjab, a state in north India. Chandigarh is the capital city of Punjab. The General Post Office at Chandigarh thought that Balwinder Kaur had mis-spelt China. So the Post Office sent the parcel to Beijing, China. The parcel was returned to Balwinder Kaur after about a fortnight. After Balwinder came to know of the blunder, she filed a complaint at the Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum. The Forum directed the Post Office to pay her Rs 5,000 for deficiency in service.

Girls doing the kikli in Punjab, India. Photo courtesy: Dainik Jagran

January-February 2019 ▪ 59 Darjeeling in Sri Lanka!

On February 21, the Twitter handle of China Xinhua News tweeted photographs of tea gardens with the following caption: Darjeeling tea lovers, good news! Sri Lanka is expected to produce 315 million kg of tea in 2019 to meet your demand.

Darjeeling is in West Bengal, India. Darjeeling Tea Boutique, India, has the following to say about ‘Darjeeling teas from Sri Lanka’:

Can the famous champagne of France be produced in China? Can you grow Da Hond Pao, the most revered Chinese oolong on Kenya? With as many as three fakes out of a total of four packets of Darjeeling tea, this shouldn’t surprise you when you hear about Darjeeling teas which are produced in Sri Lanka.

In 2012, the Darjeeling Tea Association revealed that till then, Darjeeling hills had produced about 8,500 million kilograms of tea. But globally, 40,000 million kilograms of tea were sold as Darjeeling tea. It’s 2019, and the gap must have widened since.

60 ▪ January-February 2019 GUPSHUP

Photo courtesy: India Today ‘TikTok causes cultural degeneration’, Indian state seeks ban

TikTok, the popular Chinese mobile phone application that allows users to shoot and share 15-second videos with lip-sync set to popular film songs and dialogues among others, has become an issue of concern in Tamil Nadu, a state in south India. Legislators have sought a ban on TikTok. They say youth are getting addicted to the app. They are using it to upload suggestive sexual dance choreography and sexually explicit content by morphing the faces of innocent people, especially women.

January-February 2019 ▪ 61 Chinese man’s trick to soothe baby goes viral

A father in China came up with a creative way to sneak in a nap during daddy duty. The man, filmed lying on a bed with his infant son, drew a pair of fake eyes on his eyelids to make the child believe he was awake. He even put on a recording of him singing a nursery rhyme to help put the baby to sleep. The baby, thinking he had his father’s full attention, was seen sleeping peacefully. The hilarious clip was a part of a video titled “how fathers react when in charge of babies’’ and was released on Chinese video sharing platform Weibo. It was part of a compilation video released by Chinese news site K618.cn titled ‘Perfunctory ways of fathers taking care of their children’.

62 ▪ January-February 2019 RECENT ICEC EVENTS

Chinese lotus root snacks company plans to enter Indian market

B2B Interactive Session with Indian importers Chinese representative with the President of Indian Importers Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Atul Saxena at the event

n February 13, India China were shared. This was followed by a where several importers of foods Economic and Cultural Council live demonstration by the company products interacted with the Chinese Oalong with the Indian Importers representatives of the lotus root snacks. company representatives on prospects Chamber of Commerce and Industry These snacks were offered for tasting to of local partnership and distributorship organized a focused group discussion on an Indian audience in order to test the of lotus root snacks in India. President the opportunities for a leading Chinese acceptability of the product. Positive of Indian Importers Chamber of lotus root snack foods company which response was received for the snack Commerce and Industry, Mr. Atul plans to enter the Indian market. The items, as lotus root is already eaten in Saxena provided key guidance to the event began with a product presentation India in the form of pickle and main delegation on how they can enter the in which the details of the company course dishes too. Indian snacks food market, and the and its manufacturing processes A B2B session was also conducted, standard operating procedures involved.

January-February 2019 ▪ 63 ICEC welcomes New Year with a grand Indian party

ndia China Economic and Cultural traditional Indian welcome with tilak, diya and Bollywood engaged the guests. The Council (ICEC) organized a New Year and garlands. They enjoyed delicacies like Chinese guests were very happy to dress Iparty in Hangzhou, on January 20, samosa, kheer, boondi laddoo etc. The up in traditional Indian clothes, jewellery 2019. The event showcased Indian party décor comprising traditional vases, and make-up. They waited in a queue heritage and culture through traditional jars, drums, paintings and handmade to glam themselves up in colorful Indian celebrations, dance, food, and other products added to the traditional feel of attire. Children were excited about making festivities. the celebrations. rangoli with the colours and sheets The guests comprised ICEC China ICEC Executive Director Audrey Tso provided to them. The guests enjoyed the clients and some Indians living or studying gave a brief introduction on ICEC's journey first-hand experience of making heena in Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou region. in 2018, and a forecast for 2019. patterns on their hands. The event ended The guests were surprised with a Interesting quiz games about India amidst great bonhomie and camaraderie.

64 ▪ January-February 2019

Brand Air China Limited

Air China national flag carrier of P.R.China and member of the Star Alliance, the world’s largest airline alliance. Headquartered in Beijing, Air China is committed to providing passengers with the "Four Cs" service of Credibility, Convenience, Comfort and Choice. Air China’s frequent flyer program, with over 50 million members INSPIRING TRUST PhoenixMiles has the longest history of any “The Initiative proposed by the Chinese government, has started and Air China frequent flyer program in China. will propose more routes serving the countries along the - One Belt, One Road”.

Air China and its subsidiaries owned a fleet of Air China inaugurated its first flight between Beijing & New Delhi bridging the 655 aircraft as on December 2017, Air China common cultures in 2006. The journey of expansion in India continued with the operated a total of 420 passenger routes, launch of our Beijing & Mumbai flight route in 2015. including 101 international routes, 16 regional routes and 303 domestic routes, serving 185 The Grand inauguration of Beijing – Mumbai route was attended by the destinations in 40 countries, through our prominent members from The Consulate of P.R.China, Trade Partners, Corporate partnership with Star Alliance Air China offered and Media Partners. This marked a new beginning of Sino-Indian relation of services to 1,330 destinations in 192 countries. Culture, Trade & Economics.

Air China introduced Brand New wide body Airbus A330-300 for its service to India, operating 5 Weekly Non-Stop Flights between Beijing & New Delhi and 4 Weekly Non-Stop Flights between Beijing & Mumbai offering 3 class configuration of 30 Business Class Fully Flat Bed, 16 Premium Economy and 259 Economy Class Seats. INSPIRING VALUES Appreciating Trade Partners: Sometimes saying thank you is just not enough, appreciating the support is a powerful way of displaying our gratitude to Inauguration Beijing – Mumbai Flight our trade partners. Air China appreciates Travel Agents & Trade Partners by awarding them “Recognition Award” for their support.

Product Education to Trade Partners: Introducing products and services, increasing company’s brand awareness and driving sales. Marketing can’t accomplish any of its purposes without effective Product Knowledge. Air China India in our continued effort always maintains close contact with our trade partner and educate them with our product on regular basis. Our partner interacts directly with our guest and it is necessary they have complete knowledge of our product and offer it with confidence. Air China conduct Product Work Shop in major metros & feeder market cities in India. Recognition Award Mumbai

Travel Agents Product Workshop, Mumbai