Bangkok: The Dharma Centre of Chulalongkorn University Thailand in collaboration with Netaji Subhas Vision Thailand organised a Buddhist Prayer Ceremony to commemorate the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and in remembrance of the remarkable donation made by Netaji to the university in 1945. The Prayer Ceremony was inaugurated with the lighting of candles by Korn Dabbaransi, the former deputy Prime minister of Thailand, and R. Muthu, Consular of the Embassy of India Bangkok.
In his inaugural speech, Korn Dabbaransi said that India and Thailand have enjoyed cultural and educational relations since time immemorial. More than 2,000 years ago, Buddhist missionaries sent by Emperor Asoka established Buddhism in the country. Hinduism has also influenced Thailand as reflected in its architecture, arts, sculpture, dance, drama, and literature. He also said that he is a Buddhist, but also prays to Lord Shiva and he had visited Tirupati temple twice.
Korn Dabbaransi said that the Thai state provided encouragement to the Indian independence movement. Thailand was one of the countries that had diplomatic ties with the Provisional Government of Free India under the leadership of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Thai foreign minister Wichit Wathakarn attended the Bangkok conference organised by the Indian Independence League in 1942. Thailand allowed Netaji and the I.N.A. to broadcast over its radio waves giving the Indian nationalists a media platform in Southeast Asia. He also added that thousands of civilian labourers of Indian origin worked in Thailand for various projects during the World War, especially railways. He said Netaji’s donation to the Chulalongkorn University exemplifies his desire to build a strong bond between India and Thailand. He said that the present government in India has initiated many positive steps in building a strong friendship between the two countries. He concluded his speech by remembering former union minister Arun Jaitley saying that Arun Jaitley was a good friend of his.
Speaking on the occasion Mahesh Kumar, general secretary of Netaji Subhas Vision Thailand said that the Dharma Centre building was constructed with a budget from the funds donated by Netaji and the Chulalongkorn University constructed the Dharma Centre as a souvenir to his contribution to the university. The Dharma Centre of Chulalongkorn University is the only building outside Bharat constructed by a government agency to honour Netaji. He also said that after the failure of the Imphal campaign, the Thai Government assisted in the evacuation of I.N.A. troops from Burma and the injured soldiers were treated for free by the Chulalongkorn Medical College. This was the reason that Netaji donated a huge amount to the University.
Dharam Singh SriChawla, President of Netaji Subhas Vision Thailand made the opening remarks and Pornthep Narula read the message sent by Arjun Ram Meghwal, minister of state for Law and Justice, Government of India. The event was elevated by the sacred chants of Buddhist monks from various monasteries in Bangkok who took part in the prayer ceremony. This event not only honUred Netaji’s enduring legacy but also highlighted the deep historical and cultural ties between the two countries.
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