Distinguished Party Secretary of Bac Ninh Province, His Excellency Nguyen Anh Tuan,
Ambassador Arya,
Respected Officials,
Namaskar, Good Afternoon, Xin Chao.

I am very pleased to address you today in the historic centre of Bac Ninh on the occasion of the unveiling of the bust of Gurudev Ravindranath Tagore in this beautiful International Friendship Park.

I have heard about the cultural richness, impressive history, commendable traditions of learning and the enchanting folk melodies of Quan Ho.

Today marks the addition of a remarkable memorial honouring the exceptional Indian personality, Gurudev Tagore – himself a renowned painter, educator, humanist, music composer, and a very profound thinker.

I extend my gratitude to the leadership of Bac Ninh Province for their support for installing this bust.

Friends,

I am happy to know that Gurudev Tagore's works are widely recognized in Vietnam, being read and appreciated throughout the country and even included in Vietnamese textbooks.

It is indeed heartening to know that Tagore's Gitanjali has been translated into Vietnamese as "Loi Dang" by Khánh Hoan Đõ̂ and was published in 2001.

Historical records indicate that Tagore paid a three-day visit to Ho Chi Minh City in 1929, leaving a lasting intellectual and socio-cultural impact on Vietnam.

I would like to highlight Tagore's historic remarks made during that visit to Vietnam, where he said I- "Looking back into several centuries, I am dreaming of a time (in India), which is still flowing strongly in my blood. Today, I am bringing to you evidence of the time when our cultures met through documents, archives, and artworks to awaken your spirit."

I am also glad to know that Vietnam had issued a commemorative postage stamp in honour of Rabindranath Tagore in 1982. We are honored by the respect and admiration shown towards him in Vietnam.

Our two countries, India and Vietnam, have a profound historical connection dating back almost 2,000 years, which are rooted in the legacy of Buddhism. Bac Ninh Province is also a part of this ancient tradition. Historical records validate that Indian monks played a significant role in introducing Buddhism to Vietnam, particularly in the region of Luy Lau located in Bac Ninh.

More than fifteen hundred years ago, Luy Lau emerged as a crucial center for Buddhist education in Vietnam. I've also learned about the remarkable Dau Pagoda, a place that holds great reverence for Buddhism. We respect these significant connections with Bac Ninh province, and also appreciate the cultural and spiritual heritage it represents.

I was also happy to be informed by the Ambassador that Bac Ninh Province's musical group is travelling to India today evening, to participate in the International Music Festival in Delhi in the coming week.

I know that Bac Ninh is now an important industrial hub housing global companies. I commend the province for its remarkable progress and development while preserving its history and heritage. I believe that unveiling Gurudev Tagore's bust today will further enhance the international character of Bac Ninh City.

Once again, I thank you all for joining me on this occasion.

Thank you, Namaste.