China-India Foruma journey towards an`

Asian Citizens Assembly 2010

CHINA - INDIA FORUM YOUTH FESTIVAL

Cross-Cultural dialogue for Peace, Friendship andSustainable Development in the 21st Century

19th August - 2nd September 2007

Published by Global Citizens for Sustainable Development, Bangalore, India

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Acknowledgements

China-India Forum is a joint initiative of Global Citizens for Sustainable Development/Vedike, Bangalore, India and Center for Cross-Cultural Studies, Peking University,Beijing, China. These organizations have extended their full support to the variousactivities of the Forum since it was initiated in February 2007.

Our sincere thanks to the Charles Leopold Mayer Foundation for the Progress ofHumankind (FPH), Paris, France for their kind support to the China-India Forum.

A special thanks to Mr. Gustavo Marin for his motivation, encouragement and hope inthe younger generation to be the Leaders for Change in the 21st century.

“The youth need models and not critics.” In this Forum the true models were theAdvisers of the Forum: Prof. Zhao Baisheng, Prof. Jin Siyan, Prof. Yue Daiyun,Prof.Jeevan Kumar and Prof.Makarand Paranjpe who have inspired all of the participantsand continue to do the same.

Anugraha John and Chen Dunfei worked as the joint Coordinators for the success of theChina-India Forum Youth Festival held in India between 17th August – 2nd September2007 along with the members of the organizing team: Prateek, Mandakini Devi, DeepaA.G, Ye Weida Tianji Zhao, Ashish John, Sangeetha Raju, Li Yaqi, Liu Mei,

The China-India Forum Youth Festival held in collaboration with Samvad IndiaFoundation, New Delhi, India, Center for Gandhian Studies, Bangalore University, andLiving Hope Association, Bangalore, India

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Welcoming the Chinese participants

Participants at Raj Ghat in Delhi

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Session at Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi

Chinese participants in awe of the Taj Mahal

Welcoming the Chinese participants

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CHINA-INDIA FORUM

a journey towards an Asian Citizens Assembly 2010

- Anugraha JohnCoordinator, China-India Forum

Background

China and India have ancient civilizations and a long histories. The two countries havecreated splendid cultures and made indelible contributions to human progress. In thepast several millennia, the two great civilizations have drawn upon each other’s strengthand left a glorious chapter in the annals of global civilization.The people of India and China initiated cultural exchanges and trade centuries ago.Eminent Chinese monks Fahien and Huen Tsang traveled to India on pilgrimages, andKumarajiva and Bodhidharma brought Buddhist classics from India to China. They weregreat pioneers in the long history of exchanges between our two peoples. In moderntimes, both countries enjoyed mutual sympathy and support in the struggle forindependence and liberation.

Today, both China and India are on the fast track of economic and social development,demonstrating to the world the bright future of the two countries and the promise of arevitalized Asia. China and India have carried out productive cooperation in many fieldsand our relations have maintained good momentum of all-round development. In 2006,China and India established the strategic and cooperative partnership for peace andprosperity, which ushered in a new stage of growth in China-India relations. Inenhancing this China-India relationship, we need to both boost bilateral cooperation andbe global and future-oriented in outlook. As young leaders of China and India, weshould act with vision, view China-India relations in a long-term and strategicperspective, seize the opportunity to enhance a good-neighborly friendship and cooperateto forge a closer strategic partnership.

The year 2006, India and China Friendship Year, established between the two nations anormal relationship after years of mistrust. There has been a significant “all-arounddevelopment” between the two countries since this point.

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The Alliance for a Responsible, Plural and United World supported by Charles LeopoldMayer Foundation for Human Progress (FPH) since 1991 was involved with the ongoingChina-India exchange which has helped in creating a small wave of inter-cultural learningbetween the two countries. To enhance this China-India friendship and cooperation thereis a definite need for an Indian and Chinese Citizens assembly to bring an Asian resurgence;and perhaps it is time for young people to take responsibility to carry this forward.

The youth were reminded of the words of Mahatma Gandhi “Whatever you do will beinsignificant, but it is very important that you do it.”

In this context of discussion, China-India Forum was launched in February 2007 by bothIndian and Chinese youth. From India, Mandakini Devi, Deepa A G, Prateek, andAnugraha John joined hands with their Chinese friends at Beijing University Weida Ye,Tianji Zhao and Dunfei Chen. This meeting was supported by the Charles LeopoldMayer Foundation for Human Progress (FPH), Paris, France, and was facilitated byMr. Gustavo Marin, Prof. Zhao Baisheng, Prof. Yue Dai Yun, Mr. Chen Yueguang, Prof.Jin Siyan and Qi Haibin.

At this meeting Anugraha John (India) and Dunfei Chen (China) were unanimouslyselected to play the role of Coordinators of the China-India Forum.

In February 2007, China-India Forum set the following objectives and the vision for theForum with the understanding that Forum will be open for discussion and changes asthey move forward.

Objectives of the China-India Forum:

1. To Promote Chinese and Indian Cultural and Historical Pluralism.

2. To enhance cross-cultural dialogue and exchange of knowledge and shared values ofboth cultures.

3. To create a society of “Citizens of the Earth”: a well-informed and committedyoung people with a clear vision about intercultural understanding in a worldwhere local and global issues are intertwined.

4. To foster peace initiatives and promote good governance and sustainable living forbridging gaps

5. To put forward an alternative perspective on key issues affecting the Environment ,IT, Education, and Cultural processes within China and India

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Anugraha John addressing at the Youth Convention

Inauguration of the Youth Convention at Bangalore University

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Senior members at Mysore Palace

Participants at Gala dinner party in Bangalore

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Vision of China-India Forum 2007 to 2010:

China-India Forum is a platform to promote Peace and Friendship between bothcountries. Youth will work together towards achieving Sustainable Development

China-India Forum will create a platform for government, media, religious leaders, localpeople of both countries, farmers, youth, women, businessmen and other professionals,and educational institutions to foster cross- cultural dialogue for the citizens of bothcountries, to live in harmony and solidarity, to understand the rich culture of both landsand work towards a nonviolent society.

This vision will be carried out through various activities throughout the three years

2007 : China-India Forum Youth Festival

2008 & 2009 : China-India Inter-Cultural Dialogue forSustainable Development and Peace

2010 : Asian Citizens Assembly led by the China-India Forum

Activities with India and China as partners will be carried out from the year 2007 and upto 2010 through inter-cultural dialogue, people-to-people contact, responsible tourism,exchanges, and fair trade.

Phase 1: China-India Forum Youth Festival

Global Citizens for Sustainable Development/Vedike (NGO in Bangalore) incollaboration and support by the Charles Leopold Mayer Foundation for HumanProgress (FPH), Center for Cross-Cultural Studies, Peking University, China, SamvadIndia Foundation (NGO in Delhi), Centre for Gandhian Studies, Bangalore University,Bangalore, Living Hope Association (NGO in Bangalore), and other NGOs organizedthe China-India Forum Youth Festival.

China-India Forum Youth Festival 2007 was not just a workshop (theme-based) orientedfestival but more of a gathering to celebrate life and cultural diversity, share and exchangeboth contemporary and traditional art, dance, music and food of both the countries.

Twenty-one Chinese participants from colleges and universities, along with a few Chinesescholars and professors came to India on 19th August 2007 and stayed through 2nd

September 2007. They traveled from North to South India and had a rich cultural

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experience in India for fifteen days. These Chinese friends had been preparing for thisjourney in India almost two months before they arrived in the country.

In India, the Chinese friends visited places such as Delhi, Agra, Bangalore, Chikmagular,Mysore, H.D Kote, Cochin and Alleppey. They traveled using different modes oftransport and experienced an “Indian ride” by bus, train, airplane, horse cart, and jeep.It was not mere tourism but a responsible eco-tourism through experiential learning.Every stop they made at various locations in India there was something to learn and togive back in return to fellow Indians.

Both India and China have sites which are listed among the Seven Wonders of theWorld. Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan’s love for his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal wasmanifested through the monument of love, Taj Mahal. The Chinese friends admired thebeauty of Taj Mahal for long hours. This was also an occasion to discuss a brief history ofIndia and the Moghulistan - land of the Moghuls.

Krishna Janmastami celebrates the appearance day of Lord Krishna in Mathura. It iscelebrated in an elaborate way in Vrindavana. Rasa-lila plays are performed, which showdifferent pastimes of Lord Krishna. It is believed that Lord Krishna appeared in Mathuraabout 5,000 years ago. During such a celebration, our Chinese friends visited temples inVrindavana at the banks of Yamuna river.

In North India, they visited different sites in Delhi, Agra and Mathura. Some of theother places they enjoyed visiting were: Rajghat Gandhi Samadhi, Lotus Temple - Bahá’íHouse of Worship, Jama Masjid, Gateway of India, walking around in the streets of OldDelhi and tri-cycle rides.

South India must have been a different experience for our Chinese friends as they firstvisited Chikmagalur in the state of Karnataka, which is nestled in the Baba Budan hills.Chikmagalur is a calm, serene town full of scenic hills, valleys, streams and snow-whitecoffee blossoms. They had an opportunity for a three-day home stay with mainly coffeeand areca nut farmers for a more personal and cultural interaction.

After having visited other beautiful places and temples around the community where theylived, we arranged one evening for a youth dialogue. There were more than 40 Indianyouth gathered to see the Chinese friends and have an interaction with them. Questionswere exchanged about stereotypes, food, religion, language, culture, agriculture and otherpractices of both countries. The Indian youth were in awe of the Chinese having somany talented youth who win Olympic medals for their country. To this comment, one

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of the Chinese friend responded that government takes good care of the athletes and alot of money for infrastructure and training is spent. The Chinese youth were surprisedto know that Indian youth did not feel the need to live in cities and they were happywith their occupation and were living an enjoyable life. In their discussion, both groupsfound that family was the most valued part of their lives. That evening gathering endedwith celebration: dance, singing and dinner.

In Mysore, the cultural capital of Karnataka state, the Chinese friends visited the greatMysore Palace and learnt about the Wodeyars. The Wodeyar dynasty ruled over MysoreKingdom for almost 550 years and were known as patrons of art and culture,contributing significantly to the cultural growth of that city. It was also a time forshopping for various traditional arts and crafts, garments and the sweet dish Mysore Pak.

FEDINA (an NGO working in South India) helped us arrange a visit to a tribalcommunity living in the forest in Nagarhole near H.D Kote. This was mainly a honeycollecting community known as jenukurubas (jenu means honey). The community leaderSommana facilitated the discussion in Kanada (state language) which was being translatedto our Chinese friends. This community has been facing many challenges in the forestand have been fighting for their rights. The community spoke about their problems andabuse of rights, displayed techniques how they work with the bees while collecting honey,shared some honey with the visitors and were also curious to know more about China.The Chinese friends were surprised to see all the children and families having smiles ontheir faces amidst all of these problems, and were very touched to have met, hugged andinteracted with the tribal community.

One of the important programs of the festival was the youth convention in Bangalore,India where the Chinese youth stayed together with young Indians on the beautiful eco-friendly campus of Visthar (NGO in the north of Bangalore).

The youth convention was held between 25th August – 28th August 2007. On 25th

August, the convention was inaugurated at the Centre for Gandhian Studies, BangaloreUniversity, Bangalore by opening of an exhibition, “Gandhiji in Mint and Print” fromthe personal collection of Dr. V.S Yalvigi. The remainder of the three days at Vistharincluded an intense program for cross-cultural dialogue, presentations, discussions onserious issues, and joyous moments, all with the purpose of carrying out the larger effortfor Peace, Friendship and Sustainable Development.

Dr. Jeevan Kumar, Director, Centre for Gandhian Studies invited guest speakers andfacilitators; Sandeep Shastri, Du Lingling, Yu Jing, Zhao Baisheng, Gustavo Marin

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(FPH), John Clammer, R.L. M Patil and other guests to jointly light the lamp. Thisprocess is very common to inaugurate auspicious conventions or projects in India.

Anugraha John and Chen Dunfei jointly presented the background of China-IndiaForum and the purpose of gathering at the convention. Gustavo Marin in hisinspirational talk said if China and India can be at Peace, then one-third if the world’spopulation is at peace. He challenged the youth to create a world community withresponsibility, ethics, values and good governance. He asked us to join force with China-India Forum to promote people-to-people dialogue and hope that these two nations willset examples for the others. He also assured that FPH will back such initiatives of theChina-India Forum in their journey towards a Citizens Assembly.

The first day of the convention was more an intellectual presentations by the experts onthemes such as, Chinese and Indian Cultural and Historical Pluralism., role of Religionespecially Buddhism for Peace in China and India and environmental concerns. Theexperts who contributed were Sandeep Shastri, Du Lingling, Yu Jing, R.L.M Patil, TenzinLegtsok, Duan Yinghong, Tan Xuewan, Vincent Furtado, Leo Saldanha, Bhargavi Rao,Zhao Baisheng and John Clammer.

The next three days youth took the main stage. They raised various issues to promote theidea of ‘Global Citizenship’ and were seriously concerned about issues of our generation:globalization, environment concerns - global warming, climate change & water crisis,poverty, HIV/AIDS among other health issues, cultural consciousness and many more.Through dialogue they pursued to find possible solutions for the various problems intheir respective countries. They motivated each other to become Change Makers.

The various presentations by youth gave a wider knowledge, spectrum and motivation toall the participants. The presentations made by youth were as follows:

� Environment (Global Warming & Water Concerns):Anugraha John, Li Yaqi, & Dunfei ChenThis session was chaired by Dr. Bhavani Shankar

� Role of I.T., Education and Media:Weida Ye, Xiaolu Ma, Ityendra & AanjanThis session was chaired by Mr. Arun Subramaniun

� Role of Women in India and China:Ma Jing, Niu Jie, Priyanka Rao, Dipti Khule, Natasha & PruthaThis session was chaired by Dr. Poornima Vyasulu

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� Health - HIV/AIDS concerns in India and ChinaXiaobing Zhang, Shijie Zhao, Satyam & SusanThis session was chaired by Dr. Manish

� Role of Spirituality, Materialism and Religions (Buddhism and Confucianism) inPromoting Social Harmony and Peace in India and China:Mei Liu, Leran Chen, Xuetian Dai

� Chinese Cultural and Historical Pluralism:Hong Liu, Furong Zhao

� Comparative Perspective on Arts and Culture / Literature:Tianji Zhao, Yi Tang , Prateek

During the conference, Santha Kumar helped the group to connect with each other at apersonal and inter-personal level through various energizers. The group was asked tounveil the different masks that they wear at different occasions and to be the real personwith each other.

There was so much to learn from all facts and figures, to analyze the differences andsimilarities and to work towards bringing positive change in the society.

Dr. Siddlingiah, Chairman of the Kanada Development Authority awarded the certificateto both Chinese and Indian youth participants and encouraged the youth to worktowards creating a better and peaceful society.

Overall, this convention saw a geo-cultural diversity from both countries with a genderbalanced participants. The youth had time for talent hour, singing, dancing, karatemoves, fun skits, games, football match and a great party in a restaurant in the city.

The Festival concluded with a three days retreat in Alleppey in the state of Kerala (alsocalled as the Venice of the East) during the auspicious Onam Festival widely celebrated inKerala. This was a time to also reflect and plan for the follow up of the China-IndiaForum. After several discussions both Chinese and Indians felt the need to expand theForum and have a trilateral axis which would be more conducive to regional stability andprosperity. Inclusion of Japan one of the most powerful and developed nation in Asia inachieving the objectives would definitely strengthen our walk towards an Asian CitizensAssembly in 2010. The Forum will take significant steps and effort to include almostevery other country from Asia in the process after the China-India-Japan Forum in 2008.The next phases of this journey were proposed as such:

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Phase 2: China-India-Japan Forum – 2008July 2008 – China-India-Japan Inter-Cultural Exchange in JapanDecember 2008 – E-Forum (youth Dialogue) and follow up meeting in China.

Phase 3: China-India-Japan Forum - 2009July 2009 – Asian Youth Assembly in ChinaDecember 2009 – E-Forum (Inter-Generational Dialogue)

Phase 4: Asian Citizens Assembly in India – 2010

After the Inter-cultural encounter and exchange in 2007 in India, in 2008 in Japan & in2009 in China, youth involved in the process would have attained knowledge andunderstanding on issues related to different thematic. They would be empowered and asyoung leaders work and influence policy in their respective countries for sustainabledevelopment and peace.

The E-Forum in December 2009 will focus and initiate an Inter-Generational Dialogueand thus setting right tune for an Asian Citizens Assembly for both youth and adultsperhaps in July 2010 in India.

Mr. Thomas Chandy, Kuttanad-Member of the Legislative Assembly awarded the Chinesefriends with souvenirs in Alleppey and was impressed with the youth activities throughthe China-India Forum.

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WHAT IS REAL INDIA?

- Ma Xiaolu

When after six and a half hours of traveling, a group of twenty-one Chinese youthstepped on this legendary land, they had no idea what they would confront. Even in themiddle of the night, Indira Gandhi International Airport was crowded with people whohad just arrived. Their faces were filled with hesitation, anxiety, curiosity, and agitation.Luckily, the China-India Forum’s Indian team, Gabriel Marin (a young French guestparticipant to the Festival), Prateek, and Anugraha John found them right at the exit ofthe airport and extended their warm welcome. Their hospitality was a great ease for theChinese participants. Just like that, the 15-day journey in India began.

“So what kind of India are you going to show us?” was the general question by theChinese participants.

And one of the Indian organizers replied, “It’s not a problem of what kind of India wewill show you. It’s a question of what kind of India you are trying to find. Believe me,we will show you everything. Nothing is there to be hidden. What you got to do is tofollow us and feel it by heart.”

Yes, they were going to show the Chinese youth the most colorful and vital India indeed.During the following 15 days, Chinese participants admired one of the seven wonders ofthe world – Taj Mahal, lived in farming communities in the Western Ghats of Karnataka,met tribal communities, and were able to draw similarities from a communist state, well-known as “God’s Own Country” – Kerala. In addition, they attended a four-day youthconference in Bangalore.

“Will I get to know the real India?”

This question haunted most of the Chinese participants when they went to bed ataround 3 o’clock that day morning.

A Religious Adventure

“I’ve never expected that we are going to visit so many temples, mosques, and monuments of somany religions! They are so different from one another,” one of the Chinese team memberscried out one morning, when she found that their next stop was another temple.

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India is a paradise for religions. A country proud of its diversity, showing no aversion toany of the religions around the world, Indians practice Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism,Jainism, Buddhism, Christianity and many others. In one small block of Old Delhi,temples of all religions could be found. Chinese participants were amazed to see peoplewaiting in queue outside temples in a so called “market.” In China, the temples aresituated in valleys or mountains. It was difficult to imagine that temples could get soclose to everyday life.

“Everyone has an air of piety and tranquility when they come out of the temple. It, to me, is amiracle. In China, before we go to the temples, we have to get ourselves clean and tidy,because that’s the way to worship their god, but in India, it seems that they have a totallydifferent definition of purity. They go to the temples after crossing filthy, narrow streets. Theirhands might be dirty after, but they come out clean and neat after their pray. It’s always nicethat you can find somewhere to get eternal tranquility,” one of the Chinese teachers said,after the visit to Jama Masjid, which looked spectacular in the glow of the sunset. A flockof doves were circling high overhead. Children were gamboling around near the temple,enjoying the best time of life, while their beautiful mothers stood silently in the street,gazing on them with nondescript elegance and grief.

One young Chinese girl told one of the Indian participants,”you know, I think I foundthe place where gods live,” after they went out of the Vrindavan, birth place of LordKrishna. The team got there when the darkness was gathering. There was an atmosphereof peace and calm, quite different from the atmosphere of an Indian metropolis. It washard to see the number of temples there were. Once, people were attracted by the musiccoming from an assembly hall. The story of the birth of god was put on stage there. Thisperformance would continue for over a month. Although Chinese team members knewnothing about the performance, they admired it from the entrance of the hall for a longtime. “It reminds me of Peking Opera.” One Chinese boy said.

The team was received by Srivat Groswami in his reception room. The room wasdecorated with his family photos telling people the history of this place.

“When you have ten things to do, please take a bath first. When you have a hundredthings to do, please have a meal first.”

His words were simple, but insightful. It was not the first time Chinese people got intouch with Indian philosophy, but for the first time they felt that all complexity lied insimplicity. So did religions in India.

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Visit to the Living Hope Boys Home

Interaction with the tribal community

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Chinese participants enjoying some Indian local style of dancing

Song presentation by the Indian youth participants

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It’s all about countryside and nature

“As I retrace the days in India, I can only call myself a lucky dog, ‘cause I love every partof it. To tell you the truth, as a child growing up in a city, the time I spent in thecountryside is quite little and the trip to Chikmaglur is unforgettable. I enjoyed themorning bath and the night dance. I will always remember the smile of our host andhostess. They were so kind to us - waiting us coming back till midnight and preparingwarm beds, even new sheets for us – only parents would do this to their belovedchildren!”

A Chinese girl said that when the trip was about to come to an end. Many Chinese teammembers never expected that they would have a chance to go to the countryside of India.They lived with local families in a rural community for two days. Many had never livedin the countryside before and never expected that their first experience of farming wouldcome from a visit to an Indian plantation.

Everything looked fresh and clean. Chinese participants were awakened by the chirps ofbirds in the morning. It was quite a pleasure to observe the hostess washing the floorwith spring water and decorating the house with newly picked flowers. The mountain airhelped to work up an appetite an the food and coffee were quite delicious.

The interaction with local community was the most intriguing part of the trip. Seriousdiscussions were involved and interesting questions were raised. People from China andIndia were so eager to know each other; they talked about society, family, religion,politics and economy. Everyone was sincere and frank, time passed quickly, and everyonewas eager to raise more questions. They knew so little about each other, yet they wantedto know everything. The discussion sessions always ended with dancing, allowing bodylanguage to speak for each culture.

Most Chinese members saw Indian local villagers as an inextricable part of nature inIndia.

“Their life looks so real. It tells us a man’s faith to nature and soil. I love their pure-heartedness.”

“Chinese member’s second chance of communing with nature was in Alleppey, an ideal destinyfor vacation. To take a boat ride in the southern Indian jungle was an unforgettableexperience for everyone. It was a rich mosaic of meadows, rivers and coconut palms,” oneChinese team member said:

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“India is much greener than China. The sight of luxuriant vegetation brings me energy.Chinese people always hold up their philosophy as the one that cares about the harmonybetween nature and human beings, but I think Indian people do better than us inretaining this harmony at least in recent years.”

The Indian guys love miracles

Indian architecture made a deep impression on the Chinese team members. They tookdozens of pictures at the Taj Mahal and would have loved to do the same at the MysorePalace. There was no need to go back to the history of these two constructions to provetheir greatness. The “dream in marble” speaks for itself.

“Here everything is breathtaking. I cannot imagine when Taj Mahal was completed andunveiled to the world for the first time, how people filled with wonder at the sight.”

Among all the symbols of inseparable love, Taj Mahal is no doubt the most poetic one.The Royal Emperor Shah Jahan was great in that he tried to express his love to MumtazMahal in such an unusual way. Even Chinese people, hundreds of years later, feltintensely his romantic love.

“As I step forward, there is always something unexpected that adds beauty to MysorePalace. The whole thing is a miracle.”

Another girl said that, while admiring the palace from the garden. In fact, everywhereChinese people went; there would be something that caused them to cry out withsurprise and admiration in Mysore Palace.

The two structures were just a miniature of all the Indian grandiose structures. The BahaiHouse of Worship (The Lotus Temple) marked the end of Chinese participants’adventure of Indian architectural triumphs as a grand epilogue.

I think Indian guys love miracles. Otherwise they wouldn’t have built so many wondersthat could only exist in dreams.

Always on road

If someone checks the schedule of the China-Indian forum, he will be astonished to findthe large number of lines with “On Road”. “We actually spent far more time on roadthan is shown on the schedule! That’s Indian Time.” One Chinese participant said.

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Community living experience with farmers in Chikmagular

Karnataka Folk performance

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Home stay experience at a farmer’s house

Graceful stretch by a Chinese participant

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Regardless of the time, Chinese participants tried almost all the vehicles in India, e. g.plane, bus, pedi cab, carriage, subway, jeep, etc..

- Although the traveling never seems to come to an end, we still had so much funon road. I can still remember when nine of us were riding the same carriage (Oh, thepoor horse) during the midnight, when we went back from Vrindavan; Li Yong started tosing a song of one of Chinese national minorities, and everybody sang after him. We hadso much fun!

Another unforgettable entertainment was no doubt “the killers”. “It was not only a gameto kill time, but a good way to know each other.” It is true that with young peopletogether, you never feel lonely. They can always find some way to get rid of boredom andfill the world with laughter and joy.

Friendship- that’s the key word for China-Indian Forum

- I shall always cherish my trip to India, because I get to know you guys.

This is what was written in a Chinese team member’s blog. His words will be echoed inmost participants’ mind. At the very beginning of the trip, everyone was a little bitconcerned about whether they could communicate with each other well. There was notonly the problem of language, but also the big gap between two great civilizations.

However, with the hospitality and warmth of Indian team members, Chinese participantsfelt at ease. In Bangalore, there was a section when people worked with an Indianpsychologist who told them to remove masks from their face and express their truefeelings. Actually they’ve already done that. Even from the group photos could we seetheir gaiety.

One Chinese guy said after the three day forum in Bangalore, where they stayed with 21Indian youths from different parts of India to understand the differences and similaritiesbetweens peers:

- Since we are young, we are quite open-minded. It’s not that difficult to find commontopics between us. We share same opinions in many ways. Besides, I find the differencesbetween us interesting. I think we can learn from each other.

During the departure time, great sadness filled everyone’s heart. Some girls even burstinto tears. It was not the things but the people that they were going to miss most. Andthey promised to write to each other after returning back home.

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The most important component element of one civilization is people, from whom onecan understand the civilization they are living in and that’s what trans-culturalcommunication is all about. Through culture comparison, we not only get to knowanother civilization but we also know more about ourselves. Thanks to the China-Indianforum, both the Chinese and Indian team members knew more about the two mostimportant civilizations in the world.

- Please don’t ask me the question about what India is. That’s the memory that Iwill cherish forever. That’s the people who I will always call “brothers”. For me, it’s acombination of joy, believe, tranquility, friendship. Or, simpler, that’s miracle.

Participants at the China-India Forum Youth Festival

ChinaDunfei Chen, Tan Xuewen, Weida Ye, Tianji Zhao, Raphaël Chen, Mei Liu, Yaqi Li,Xuetian Dai, Jie Niu, Yong Li, Xiaolu Ma, Shijie Zhao, Xiaobing Zhang, Furong Zhao,Jing Yu, Yi Tang, Yinghong Duan, Lingling Du, Jing Ma, Hong Liu, Zhao Baisheng.

IndiaDipti Khule, Priyanka Rao, Anjan Anthony, Rakesh Singh, Satyam Pukhrem, Ityendra,Prateek, Judith Ann, Noor, Manish Kumar, Mandakini Devi, Deepa A G, AnugrahaJohn, Ashish John, Sangeetha Raju, Praneet, Gautam, Suzen Pao, Natasha Mehta, AditiKulkarni, Prutha Trivedi.

FranceGabriel Marin, Genevieve Marin & Gustavo Marin

USACatherine Ahern & Katy Frank

JapanJohn Clammer & Sakura Ono