A bronze statue of Dr Kotnis was unveiled at Shijiazhuang Medical School in September.
Beijing:
China on Sunday commemorated the 110th anniversary of the birth of Indian physician Dwarkanath Kotnis who served in the country during the Chinese revolution led by Mao Zedong and World War II.
Dr Kotnis, originally from Sholapur in Maharashtra, came to China in 1938 as part of a team of five doctors sent by the Indian National Congress to help the Chinese during World War II. He joined the Chinese Communist Party in 1942 and died the same year at the age of 32.
The Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), an official body of the Chinese government, hosted an online memorial event with the director of the Center for South Asian Studies at Peking University.
Ma Jia, a senior official at the Chinese Embassy in India, as well as teachers, students and media representatives from Chinese and Indian universities attended the event online, a press release from the CPAFFC said. .
CPAFFC President Lin Songtian and university teachers and students from both countries who attended the event had a frank dialogue on promoting the spirit of Dr. Kotnis, the correct understanding of current Sino-Indian relations and the promotion of Sino-Indian youth and cultural exchanges, It said.
Lin said this year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and India.
“At a time when the world has undergone major changes unheard of in a century and when Sino-Indian relations face temporary difficulties, we are solemnly holding the Kotnis commemorative event on the anniversary of the birthday of Dr Kotnis, which is of great importance, “he said, apparently referring to the current border tensions between the two countries.
“I hope to cherish the memory of this good friend of the Chinese people and an outstanding internationalist fighter, and call on the Chinese and Indian people, especially the younger generations of both countries, to further advance the international humanitarian spirit of Dr. Kotnis. , jointly maintain peace in Asia and promote prosperity and development of the world, ”he said.
Dr Kotnis’ medical assistance during the difficult days of the Chinese revolution has been praised by Chinese leader Mao Zedong. His status and memorials have also been set in some Chinese cities in recognition of his services. He was married to Chinese national Guo Qinglan, who died in 2012.
A bronze statue of Dr Kotnis, known in China as Ke Dihua, was unveiled at Shijiazhuang Medical School in September.
Besides the school which bears his name as Shijiazhuang Ke Dihua Secondary Specialized School in Medical Sciences, there are memorials of Dr. Kotnis in Shijiazhuang, the capital of Hebei Province, and in Tangxian County where he worked.
