“Contemporary India: Talk Series” Starts with a Bang at NCL
National Central Library and the India Taipei Association (ITA) cohosted “Contemporary India: Talk Series” on the afternoon of July 21, 2019. The first session was held at National Central Library’s International Meeting Hall. Invited to speak was James C.F. Huang, Chair of the Taiwan External Trade Development Council, who has visited India eleven times. He spoke on “Startlingly Beautiful India: The Rapid Rise of an Inconceivable Nation.” Attendance was very strong, with no empty seats left. Before he spoke, special arrangements were made for a professional dance troupe to perform two Bollywood dances. The lecture then began in an atmosphere that was full of Indian flare.
National Central Library Director-general Tseng Shu-hsien spoke at the beginning of the session, stating each year National Central Library cohosts various events and activities with representative offices of other countries in Taiwan. She hopes that through NCL’s domain and by integrating various holdings and resources, that the public can come to know and experience the culture and conditions of foreign countries.
India Taipei Association President Sridharan Madhusudhanan stated that India can be likened to a large library with many books awaiting the pubic to come and view. He hopes that this collaborative endeavor with NCL will help the Taiwan public have a deeper understanding of various aspects of modern India.
James Huang shared his knowledge of the various layers and facets of India during his lecture. He believes that India is not only an abundant country and a melting pot of peoples, but also a museum of religion, and even more so a kaleidoscope of geographical features. In terms of its economy, India is a rising powerhouse in the 21st century. Taiwan and India have many similar sociocultural values; the inconceivable India and the mysterious Taiwan can become the most ideal partners in the 21st century. Huang emphasized that Taiwan should not be absent at the economic feast that is India.
After the lecture, India Taipei Association had prepared Indian-styled tea and refreshments, allowing the tastes buds of those in attendance a grand experience of India, in addition to the knowledge feast that had just ended on that Sunday afternoon.