Bollywood lures the dragon

"Bollywood films are very popular in China. They can compete with the Hollywood hits. `3 Idiots` particularly became very popular in our country," said Chinese Ambassador Zhang Yan who interacted with an audience assembled at the opening of the first `India-China Centre` here this week. Asked to describe the cultural bonds that unite the two neighbours, who have had the ups and downs in their relationship, the Ambassador was quick to respond.

"The Buddhist philosophy from India is a strong influence that has enriched and contributed to our culture. Then there is yoga from India which is also popular with the opening of training centres in the country. Another influence is the Bollywood films which are becoming very popular in China. Bollywood films are competing with the Hollywood hits," said the Chinese envoy to India, smiling from ear to ear.

Highlighting the cultural harmony, Zhang said "My embassy staff too is undergoing training in yoga", drawing an applause from the audience comprising academicians, social workers, businessmen and diplomats who included former Indian Ambassador to the US Ronen Sen. The opening of the centre here was happening in 2012, being celebrated as the "Year of Dragon" in China, denoting good fortunes as per the Chinese zodiac, he noted.

Prakash Ambegaonkar, founder of `Bridging Nations` (BN), a US-based non-profit group which has set up the centre, in a talk with PTI, said "despite the growing significance of both the countries in global politics, the mutual relationship between India and China have been understudied." The growth of these two Asian neighbours was conducive to the long-term sustained economic development of the world, he observed. "This centre will strive to strengthen India-China relations by identifying overlapping interests and involving peoples of both the countries in the policy-making process." The initiative "relies upon principle of activism" and building bridges between the two countries, Ambegaonkar said.