State PCS - West Bengal (WBCS)

• 29 Mar 2025

Chinese Scholars to Visit Visva Bharati

Why in News? 

The Chinese Consul General in Kolkata announced that around 20 scholars and experts from China will visit Visva-Bharati University on 1st April 2025 to participate in an international seminar on Rabindranath Tagore, marking the 75th anniversary of India-China diplomatic ties. 

 Key Points 

• Tagore’s Legacy and China-India Relations: 
  • Rabindranath Tagore, who visited China in 1924, symbolizes China-India friendship. 
  • The international seminar at Cheena Bhavana, Visva-Bharati University, marks 100 years since Tagore’s visit to China and 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations. 
• International Seminar and Chinese Delegation: 
  • The Chinese Consulate is organizing the seminar in collaboration with Cheena Bhavana, Visva-Bharati University. 
  • In 2024, Indian scholars and artists visited China to "Retrace the Footsteps of Tagore." 
  • The Chinese Consulate also held a photo exhibition at Visva-Bharati in 2024 to commemorate the centenary of Tagore’s visit to China. 
• Cheena Bhavana: The Center for China-India Cultural Exchange: 
  • Cheena Bhavana (Department of Chinese Language and Culture) at Visva-Bharati is the oldest Chinese studies department in South Asia. 
  • Established by Tagore and Professor Tan Yun-Shan in April 1937, the department promotes historical and cultural ties between India and China. 
• Strengthening People-to-People Ties: 
  • The Chinese Consul emphasized the need to strengthen cultural and academic exchanges between the two countries. 
  • He recalled the Indian Medical Mission to China in 1938, led by Dr. Dwarkanath Kotnis. 
  • The Dr. Dwarkanath Kotnis Memorial Committee in West Bengal continues to promote initiatives fostering India-China relations.