by Xinhua writer Hu Xiaoming
NEW DELHI, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Dr. Dwarkanath Kotnis is "a hero to remember, a monument to eternity," Chinese ambassador to India Sun Weidong said as he recalled emotionally the glorious life of the Indian doctor on his 110th birth anniversary.
"He gave his precious life for the World Anti-Fascist War and the cause of China-India friendship," Sun said at a recent online symposium in commemoration of Dr. Kotnis, also known by his Chinese name Ke Dihua. "We will always remember him."
The participants at the symposium shared their memory of Dr. Kotnis in various ways, and agreed that the doctor is a symbol of China-Indian friendship and his spirit is of great significance for promoting bilateral relations.
Kant Kotnis, 97, cousin of Dr. Kotnis, attended the symposium and greeted the participants in Chinese.
"Dr. Kotnis is the bridge between India and China, a bridge forever," said Sumangala Borkar, niece of Dr. Kontnis.
In Mumbai, a webinar titled "Dr. Dwarkanath Kotnis' legacy continues to live on in the hearts of Indian and Chinese people" was organized by Dr. Kotnis Memorial Committee.
Tang Guocai, Chinese consul general in Mumbai, remembered Dr. Kotnis' contribution as a bond of friendship between India and China, saying his spirit has special significance against the current backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In Kolkata, various programs were held by West Bengal Dr. Kotnis Memorial Committee and 14 branch organizations to commemorate the great doctor.
Zha Liyou, Chinese consul general in Kolkata, said in a commemoration letter that Dr. Kotnis, the brave son of India and the great friend of China, will be remembered as the eternal bond between the two countries.
Born in 1910 to a middle-class family in Maharashtra, Dr. Kotnis was one of five Indian physicians dispatched to China to provide medical assistance during World War II, where he breathed his last breath at the age of 32.
Dr. Kotnis was also commemorated in China in various ways on the occasion of his 110th birth anniversary.
According to Vice President of Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) Lin Yi, who also attended the symposium, commemorating Dr. Kotnis is an important event among all the celebrations as this year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of China-India diplomatic relations.
Since June this year, the CPAFFC, in collaboration with the Center for South Asian Studies of Peking University, held "Kotnis in My Heart"- University Students' Short Video Contest.
Students from 14 Chinese and Indian universities produced 54 short videos using Chinese, English and Hindi to expound Dr. Kotnis' spirit of internationalism, his strong sense of justice and his attitude towards work and life.
"Through those videos, we can feel your people's respect for Dr. Kotnis, as well as their aspiration for everlasting friendship and their yearning for a beautiful future of China-India relations," Lin said.
The CPAFFC also produced and posted on its official website a short film named "Yearning for Peace with life, Safeguarding Justice with Blood -- in Honor of Our Indian Friend Kotnis, Who Sacrificed for World Peace and Justice."
"I hope more and more people will join us to carry on the spirit of Dr. Kotnis, march forward bravely hand in hand to build a strong China-India people-to-people friendship," Lin said. Enditem
