Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c15.s2.t70: Vimla Saran
Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c15.s2.t70
- Language
- English
Vimla Saran
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Vimla Saran was a scholar in one of the very first groups of Indian scholars to be trained in Peking University in the 1950s. After returning to India, she became a librarian, in charge of the China Collection in the library of the Indian Council of World Affairs. In the early 1970s, Saran joined Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) as a faculty member teaching Chinese in the School of Languages. Along with Prof. Tan Chung and Dr H P Ray, she helped in developing a vibrant expert to prepare a textbook for Hindi speakers for learning Chinese; for this purpose he specialised in the translation of a variety of texts, including scientific and technological literature; based on his experience he had compiled very effective teaching material for training students in translation at a time when ready-made textbooks for Chinese language teaching were not available. His area of interest and research also included Medieval History and India-China maritime trade. After retirement from JNU,
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[Figure: The English version of Haraprasad Ray’s *India-China Interface and the Road Ahead*]
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Ray has been associated with the Asiatic Society of Kolkata, working on a series of manuscript which have now been published by the Asiatic Society; these volumes focus on ancient Chinese history, historical accounts of various imperial dynasties, biographies of eminent Buddhist monks, India-China relations in the ancient period, and include original translations and elucidation. He has annotated and edited the epoch-making work of Prof. Prabodh Chandra Bagchi, entitled ‘*India and China*’. Books written by Ray include ‘*India, South-east Asia and China: Some Historical Issues, Trade and Trade Routes between India and China, C 140 BC - 1500 AD, Trade and Diplomacy in India-China Relations: Study of Bengal During the 15th Century*’ and ‘*North-East India’s Place in India-China Relations and Its Future Role in India’s Economy*’. His edited volumes include ‘*Contributions of Dr P. C. Bagchi on Sino-Indo-Tibetology*’, and ‘*Studies on India, China and South-east Asia: Posthumous Papers of Professor Adhir Chakravarti*’.
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(Sabaree Mitra)