Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c15.s2.t55.7

v2.c15.s2.t55.7

Through the decades as Tan Yun-shan went back and forth between India and China raising funds for Cheena-Bhavana, he fulfilled another very important role, that of the people’s emissary. This is of special significance, because on one hand, both societies with strong traditional roots were grappling with their transition into modernity, trying to find the right balance, and on the other, having similar historical experience of having to assert their rights of self-determination, they were facing innumerable geo-political challenges of a tumultuous world. It was through this difficult period in history that he carried India’s message of love, support and peace to the Chinese people. Especially during the Japanese aggression towards China, as Tagore was engaging in a deep philosophical debate on issues of human civilisational values with the Japanese poet Noguchi, Tan Yun-shan was carrying back messages of support from Tagore, Jawaharlal Nehru, Netaji Subhash C Bose and other iconic figures of India.