In his key note speech, on the occasion of 4th Rutum Kamgo Memorial Lecture on ‘Indo-China relationship in present scenario’, which took place at the Vivekananda Hall of RK Mission Hospital, Itanagar on November 5, BJP’s National General Secretary, Shri Ram Madhav termed the relationship between China and Bharat as precariously poised towards positivity and expressed hope that the two Asian giants could together influence the new world order for which peace at the border is essential. He wove together political and cultural histories of two of the oldest civilisations—Bharat and China, to explain and help understand the contemporary politico-cultural challenges between the “blow hot and cold” neighbours.
Underlining democratic Bharat’s ideals and communist China’s ideas as the “Gangotri—the source, of several other differences”, he unequivocally stated of China’s belief in the middle kingdom syndrome wherein China is sandwiched between heaven and earth. This middle kingdom shall rule the world and shall emerge as the mightiest military power by 2049 that shall mark the completion of 100 years of uninterrupted communist. On the contrary, Bharat firmly believes in its democratic ideals of which the very basic foundation is the peaceful co-existence of the universe–Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. Quoting from ancient history, he said, Chanakya advocated the king to form matrimonial alliances with the kings and kingdoms along the route to Khyber Pass to create positive ties. On the contrary, China always practiced art of deception as its core element of state craft and thereby perfected Sun Tzu’s Art of War.
Further, buttering his arguments on cultural differences, Shri Ram Madhav cited contemporary history of “India’s defeat at the hands of China in 1962”. He said, not even the ink had dried on the documents of “Panchsheel Agreement, 1954” when Mao Tse-tung guided his protégé Zhou Enlai to re-phrase “peaceful co-existence” into “armed co-existence” to attack a nation that was still celebrating “Panchsheel” that had “peaceful co-existence” as its core tenet. Bharateeyas weren’t given time to perfect the chant Hindi-Chini Bhai Bhai. The historical differences aside, he emphasised on new leaderships and their visions for the way forward to strengthen ties. ‘The present dispensation in New Delhi is pushing for speedy resolution of boundary issues based on mutual understanding and concession. “Sooner than later, people of Arunachal Pradesh would travel to China just like any other Bharateeya citizen,” said Shri Ram Madhav while adding, Bharat would not compromise on Indo-China border issue but it will work on improving bilateral relations between the two countries.
However, the biggest message for the people in the frontier State was Ram Madhav’s praise for late Rutum Kamgo, an RSS worker who prematurely died in a tragic road accident while on duty. “Bharat is united despite internal and external threats because of the patriots working selflessly to help the nation remain united and Kamgo was one among them,” he said while exhorting the frontier people to re-dedicate themselves to the service of the nation.
Special Guest of the annual event organised by Arunachal Pradesh Charitable Task (APCT), Vayu Sena Medal awardee and Group Captain (Retired) Mohonto Pangin made a comparative study of China’s infrastructure and military power vis-a-vis Bharat. He informed that China’s military strength is twice, defence budget is thrice that of Bharat and it is the world’s third largest exporter of defence equipment.
Amidst the august gathering of “who’s who” of the State, RSS State chief Sunil Mohanty, BJP leaders including leader of Opposition in the Assembly, Tamiyo Taga and spokesperson RK Khrimey and former Chief Minister Gegong Apang were also present besides civil society leaders, rank and file of several organisations including Arunachal Vikas Parishad, Indigenous Faith Cultural and Society Movement.
Speaking on the occasion, current President, APCT Tana Tagi Tara recalled the voluntary service rendered by late Kamgo as a pioneering member of RSS. But the day and the last words belonged to the widow of the late RSS leader, Minjum Kamgo who expressed gratefulness for the honour bestowed upon the departed tribal leader by holding an annual event to mark his death anniversary.
Jarpum Gamlin (The writer is the founding Editor of Eastern Sentinel, an Itanagar based English daily)
