Book introduction heps spread intellectual heritage, strengthening Vietnam-India friendship
WVR - On September 7, the Vietnam-India Friendship Association of Hanoi organized an exchange event and book introduction for "Indian Home Rule" by Mahatma Gandhi and "Vietnam 1982-2017: From Ruins to Wonders" by Geetesh Sharma at Hanoi Book Street.
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The event commemorated the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution (August 19, 1945 - August 19, 2025), National Day on September 2, and the 78th anniversary of India's Independence Day (August 15, 1947 - August 15, 2025).
Attendees included Indian delegates, representatives from Hanoi, members of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam-India Friendship Association of Hanoi, and representatives from the Vietnam-India Friendship Subcommittee.
Discussing the context of the creation of Vietnam 1982-2017: From Ruins to Wonders, Ambassador Ton Sinh Thanh, former Vietnamese Ambassador to India and chief editor of the translation, shared that the idea for the book emerged when Geetesh Sharma met National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan during her visit to India in 2016.
With encouragement from Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and support from the Vietnamese Minister of Information and Communications, Geetesh Sharma was inspired to return to Vietnam after several previous visits to realize this passionate idea.
According to Ambassador Ton Sinh Thanh, the book recounts the changes witnessed by the author in Vietnam from his first visit in 1982 to his last in 2017. Through the lens of a writer and the deep affection of someone devoted to Vietnam, Geetesh Sharma not only describes the natural beauty and rich culture of the S-shaped land but also paints an authentic picture of the development journey of this beautiful Southeast Asian country.
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Reflecting on the translation and publication process, Ambassador Ton Sinh Thanh concluded, “To see the Earth clearly, you must go to the Moon”, implying that the perspective of international friends has vividly reflected the changes and progress in Vietnam over the years.
The book, consisting of 180 pages, is filled with simple yet evocative language, encapsulating Vietnam's miraculous transformation journey before and after the Doi Moi reforms.
According to Ton Sinh Thanh, Vietnam 1982-2017: From Ruins to Wonders is not only a remembrance of the past but also an inspiration for the current and future generations to preserve and develop the good relations between Vietnam and India.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Le Thi Hang Nga, former Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Indian and Asian Studies Journal, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, expressed deep gratitude to the Vietnam-India Friendship Association of Hanoi for choosing to introduce the work Indian Home Rule. She stated that the translation of the book was born out of her respect and admiration for Mahatma Gandhi.
Dr. Le Thi Hang Nga shared that her first encounter with Mahatma Gandhi's work was in 2004 when she was a history student in India. Initially, Gandhi's philosophical thoughts were challenging to grasp. However, the more she read, studied, and reflected, the sharper his ideas became, profoundly inspiring her.
Reading Gandhi gradually became a passion, helping her improve herself and nurturing the desire to translate Indian Home Rule into Vietnamese, hoping that other readers could access and be inspired by his thoughts.
According to Dr. Le Thi Hang Nga, in Vietnam, readers are familiar with Tagore's poetry and epic excerpts like Ramayana or Mahabharata, but knowledge of Mahatma Gandhi remains limited. As a researcher, she hopes to partially fill that gap.
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| New books introduced at the exchange event. (Photo: Phung Linh) |
Explaining the choice to translate Indian Home Rule over other works, Dr. Le Thi Hang Nga noted that Gandhi is a major author with many famous works, but Indian Home Rule and The Story of My Experiments with Truth are considered foundational to understanding the spiritual leader of the Indian people.
Indian Home Rule consists of 255 pages with 20 chapters, providing a basic analysis of Indian and South African politics in the first half of the 20th century. Written as a dialogue between "the reader" and "the editor", the work raises issues that remain hot topics in today's contemporary world, highlighting Mahatma Gandhi's nonviolent philosophy for a better world.
Dr. Le Thi Hang Nga emphasized that organizing this event contributes to promoting people-to-people diplomacy between Vietnam and India. In the future, enhancing research activities, publishing, and academic exchanges on Gandhi's philosophy will serve as a strong bridge for the friendship between the two nations.
Concluding the exchange, Phan Lan Tu, Chairwoman of the Vietnam-India Friendship Association of Hanoi, expressed her emotion as the event helped spread the ideas, messages, and values of the books to readers, strengthening the friendship between the two countries.
Through Phan Lan Tu's remarks, the translation process of the two books was not easy, especially with the need to publish them during major celebrations, particularly Indian Home Rule by Mahatma Gandhi. The book underwent numerous refinements to capture the spirit and era of the Indian leader while remaining accessible and suitable for Vietnamese readers.
Enthusiastic about Geetesh Sharma's Vietnam 1982-2017: From Ruins to Wonders, Phan Lan Tu believes the book is especially suitable for young readers who have not witnessed the post-war hardships of the nation. By understanding Vietnam's strong rise, the youth will feel more pride and love for their homeland and country.
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| Delegates take a commemorative photo at the book exchange and introduction event. (Photo: Phung Linh) |
From the perspective of a participant and a dedicated reader, Dr. Pham Thi Thanh Huyen, Head of the World History Department, Faculty of History, Hanoi National University of Education, noted that India has a long-standing relationship with Vietnam, sharing many cultural and historical similarities. However, she expressed concern that the Vietnamese approach to Indian culture and history does not match the stature of this civilization or the depth of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Therefore, according to Dr. Thanh Huyen, exchange events with the participation of translators are necessary and should be more widely promoted. Beyond books, it is essential to diversify cultural engagement channels, enhance cultural exchange, and promote culture through films, cuisine, and fashion to bridge the gap with the younger generation.
Delegates unanimously agreed that Mahatma Gandhi's Indian Home Rule and Geetesh Sharma's Vietnam 1982-2017: From Ruins to Wonders are two outstanding works, symbolizing the friendship and increasingly strong relationship between Vietnam and India, two nations with a meaningful shared history and decades of solidarity activities.
