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India, Japan and world peace

Mandira Nayar

NEW DELHI: President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam's scientific exploits may be well known, but his poem "Whisper of Jasmine'' has now reached distant shores. Already set to music by Hindustani classical vocalist Soma Ghosh, it has now reached Japan.

"When we came to India to participate in the 2550th Buddha Jayanti celebrations we had the opportunity to meet the President. He talked to us and we learnt a lot from him. He gave us the poem and asked Japanese singer Yako Nijo to set the poem to music and use it for world peace,'' said Indian Cultural Study Association, Japan, Chairman D. S. Uchida at a press conference here on Wednesday.

The first rendering of the song after the poem was set to music was at the Ardh Kumbh Mela recently. The official debut of this song will be in April in India and Dubai.

Many more initiatives

Apart from just the power of music, there are many more initiatives that are bringing the two countries together. "Nalanda University, which was a famous centre for scholars, is being reconstructed. India has had a great influence on Japan. We would like to extend our support for this project,'' said Rev. Uchida.

From helping reconstruct an old centre of learning to finding other ways to reach out to each other, India is also expected to send two elephants to Japan. "It is part of history that Jawaharlal Nehru sent an elephant to Japan after World War II to cheer up the children. The elephant, who brought much joy to the Japanese children, died years ago,'' he said.

In another attempt to rekindle this bond, India is carrying on this tradition by sending two elephants to Okinawa Zoo. "In exchange, Japan will send ten animals including two blue sheep,'' says Rev. Ochida.

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