First Confucius Classroom Formally Inaugurated in India

On November 28th, a Confucius Classroom, co-established by Yunnan Normal University (YNU) and the School of Chinese Language in Kolkata (SCLK), India, was formally inaugurated in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, marking the first such establishment in India by China. The move is of great significance in promoting Chinese language and culture, upgrading the internationalization of universities and enhancing friendship between the Chinese and Indian people.

First Confucius Classroom in India being formally inaugurated

Over 300 guests attended the ceremony, including Ma Zhanwu, Chinese Consulate-General in Kolkata, Dinesh Trivedi, Member of parliament, Lok Sabha in the Lower House and former Minister of Railways of India, Maria Fernandes, Member of West Bengal Commission for Women and Vice President of Women’s Commission of All India Trinamool Congress, Suranjan Das, Managing Vice Chancellor of Jadavpur University, Madan Saraff, Chairman of the Board of the SCLK, Charisma Saraff, President of the SCLK and relevant teachers and students.

In his speech, Ma warmly congratulated on the unveiling ceremony of the first Confucius Classroom in India, and acknowledged the work done by the SCLK and YNU to promote educational exchanges between China and India, especially the preparation work. He stressed that being the first Confucius Classroom in India, it is a great event in the people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and East India, conforming to the trend of continuous development of China-India people-to-people and cultural, economic and trade exchanges.

Ma hopes that all circles in East India will support the development of the Confucius Classroom, cultivate a large number of talents who understand Chinese and Indian cultures through the joint efforts of teachers and students and play the role as a bridge for exchanges between both sides. He noted that the Consulate-General will continue to promote bilateral communication and cooperation in economic, people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and actively provide assistance to the Confucius Classroom.

Dinesh Trivedi said that the establishment is of vital historical significance. Apart from the positive efforts of the relevant persons, the Chinese Consulate-General has played an important role in the promotion of the first Confucius Classroom in Kolkata. Over the last two years, the Chinese Consulate has launched a variety of activities in order to promote the communication and cooperation between China and East India and has achieved remarkable results. Both Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal, and the ruling party All India Trinamool Congress are devoted to promoting exchanges with foreign countries and pleased to see the Confucius Classroom succeed. Dinesh Trivedi believes that the Confucius Classroom will play an important role in strengthening the friendship and communication between India and China.

Dinesh Trivedi beating the drum

The local Chinese Community, Hongde Sports Association and the students of the SCLK gave performances at the ceremony, such as lion dance and dragon dance, and recitation of quotations from Confucius.

Over 50 journalists from local mainstream media, including Press Trust of India, Times of India, The Telegraph India, Statesman, The Indian Express, The Hindu, The Ei Samay and the RPLUS TV Station, were on site to cover the event.