Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh are the two most well-known and popular namesamong the people of India, President of the India-Vietnam SolidarityCommittee in West Bengal Geetesh Sharma wrote in an article on theoccasion of the Vietnamese late leader’s 125th birth anniversary (May19, 1890-2015).
He recalled that Ho ChiMinh had been the focal point among the intellectuals and politicalactivists since the latter half of the last century, particularlybetween fifties and seventies. “This was the period when too much waswritten in the various Indian languages about Ho Chi Minh, particularlyin West Bengal where numerous poems and essays eulogizing Ho Chi Minhwere written; Ho Chi Minh’s Works and his Prison Diary was translatedinto most of the major languages of India and were highly appreciated bythe readers.”
Sharma went on to say that therewould hardly be a person, who would be unaware of the great legendaryleader of Vietnam – Ho Chi Minh or who would be unaware of theindomitable spirit and patriotism displayed by the people of Vietnam inliberating their nation from the then great powers like France, Japanand the US who were forced not only to taste defeat at the hands of theVietnamese but who were driven out of Vietnam by its people displayingexemplary and historic unity and military strategy.
“Obviously, such a great accomplishment could not have been achievedwithout the inspiring leadership and personality of Ho Chi Minh and hisdecisive people oriented policies and strategies. Under the most ableleadership of Ho Chi Minh, the people of Vietnam not only liberatedtheir country from the clutches of colonial, fascist and imperialistpowers but at the same time demolished the age-old feudal structure andemancipated the people from the feudal system prevailing in the societyand its concept in a shortest period, unparallel in the history,” theactivist argued.
He underlined thatthe people had always been the focal point of Ho Chi Minh’s thoughtprocess and his concern for the people was not confined in thegeographical boundaries of Vietnam. “His goal was not only to liberatehis country from the foreign rule but deep down his thoughts besidesaiming at independence he dreamt of providing social equality, justiceand welfare to his people. It is for this reason that besides hisserious and sincere struggle against the foreign aggressors he wasequally serious and sincere in his campaign and struggle againstfeudalist social structure as elimination of both was essential to freethe people from bondage and exploitation,” Sharma wrote.
“It was the charismatic leadership of Ho Chi Minh that had its magicalinfluence over the people of Vietnam, who were ready for any sacrificewith this hope and belief that after liberation everybody would be ableto share the fruits of independence. The fact remains that afterliberation the aspirations of the Vietnamese people were never belied.The biggest achievement in this process was that importance of labourwas not only recognised but earned a place of distinction in the societyand the feudal structure was completely uprooted.”
He described Ho Chi Minh as a symbol of austerity and simplicity andhis simplicity was not to make a show off and attract people.
“Even after becoming the President of Vietnam he maintained hisaustere life style. Despite there being a President’s House in Hanoi,the official residence of the President, he chose to live in a hutmentof the complex of the Presidential house until his death. He used thePresidential house only for official meetings or dinners with foreigndignitaries. He used to wear sandals made of old car tyres. His sandalsbecame the trade mark of his austerity and the communist leaders,cadres, intellectuals and activists of West Bengal in particular havingderived inspiration from Ho Chi Minh started wearing sandals made of oldtyres,” Sharma recalled.
He alsonoted that Ho Chi Minh was a true and great friend of India. Heconsidered Indo-Vietnam friendly ties to be most important andsignificant and received equally important and significant response fromIndia.
Sharma recounted that Ho Chi Minh visitedKolkata thrice, in 1911, 1946 and the final visit in February 1958. Hisofficial visit as the President of Democratic Republic of Vietnam in1958 left an everlasting impression over the people of India. Heliterally won the hearts of one and all by his affability, cordiality,humility and austerity. The generation that had seen him during thosedays still remembered him with great love, admiration and reverence.
He stressed that it was President Ho Chi Minh andPrime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru who had laid the solid foundation ofdeep friendly relations between India and Vietnam which continue tilldate without any deviation. He added that both the great statesmendeveloped emotional bonds with each other during their meetings andexchange of ideas and this fraternal mutual relation continued tilltheir last breath.-VNA
He recalled that Ho ChiMinh had been the focal point among the intellectuals and politicalactivists since the latter half of the last century, particularlybetween fifties and seventies. “This was the period when too much waswritten in the various Indian languages about Ho Chi Minh, particularlyin West Bengal where numerous poems and essays eulogizing Ho Chi Minhwere written; Ho Chi Minh’s Works and his Prison Diary was translatedinto most of the major languages of India and were highly appreciated bythe readers.”
Sharma went on to say that therewould hardly be a person, who would be unaware of the great legendaryleader of Vietnam – Ho Chi Minh or who would be unaware of theindomitable spirit and patriotism displayed by the people of Vietnam inliberating their nation from the then great powers like France, Japanand the US who were forced not only to taste defeat at the hands of theVietnamese but who were driven out of Vietnam by its people displayingexemplary and historic unity and military strategy.
“Obviously, such a great accomplishment could not have been achievedwithout the inspiring leadership and personality of Ho Chi Minh and hisdecisive people oriented policies and strategies. Under the most ableleadership of Ho Chi Minh, the people of Vietnam not only liberatedtheir country from the clutches of colonial, fascist and imperialistpowers but at the same time demolished the age-old feudal structure andemancipated the people from the feudal system prevailing in the societyand its concept in a shortest period, unparallel in the history,” theactivist argued.
He underlined thatthe people had always been the focal point of Ho Chi Minh’s thoughtprocess and his concern for the people was not confined in thegeographical boundaries of Vietnam. “His goal was not only to liberatehis country from the foreign rule but deep down his thoughts besidesaiming at independence he dreamt of providing social equality, justiceand welfare to his people. It is for this reason that besides hisserious and sincere struggle against the foreign aggressors he wasequally serious and sincere in his campaign and struggle againstfeudalist social structure as elimination of both was essential to freethe people from bondage and exploitation,” Sharma wrote.
“It was the charismatic leadership of Ho Chi Minh that had its magicalinfluence over the people of Vietnam, who were ready for any sacrificewith this hope and belief that after liberation everybody would be ableto share the fruits of independence. The fact remains that afterliberation the aspirations of the Vietnamese people were never belied.The biggest achievement in this process was that importance of labourwas not only recognised but earned a place of distinction in the societyand the feudal structure was completely uprooted.”
He described Ho Chi Minh as a symbol of austerity and simplicity andhis simplicity was not to make a show off and attract people.
“Even after becoming the President of Vietnam he maintained hisaustere life style. Despite there being a President’s House in Hanoi,the official residence of the President, he chose to live in a hutmentof the complex of the Presidential house until his death. He used thePresidential house only for official meetings or dinners with foreigndignitaries. He used to wear sandals made of old car tyres. His sandalsbecame the trade mark of his austerity and the communist leaders,cadres, intellectuals and activists of West Bengal in particular havingderived inspiration from Ho Chi Minh started wearing sandals made of oldtyres,” Sharma recalled.
He alsonoted that Ho Chi Minh was a true and great friend of India. Heconsidered Indo-Vietnam friendly ties to be most important andsignificant and received equally important and significant response fromIndia.
Sharma recounted that Ho Chi Minh visitedKolkata thrice, in 1911, 1946 and the final visit in February 1958. Hisofficial visit as the President of Democratic Republic of Vietnam in1958 left an everlasting impression over the people of India. Heliterally won the hearts of one and all by his affability, cordiality,humility and austerity. The generation that had seen him during thosedays still remembered him with great love, admiration and reverence.
He stressed that it was President Ho Chi Minh andPrime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru who had laid the solid foundation ofdeep friendly relations between India and Vietnam which continue tilldate without any deviation. He added that both the great statesmendeveloped emotional bonds with each other during their meetings andexchange of ideas and this fraternal mutual relation continued tilltheir last breath.-VNA
