Chinmaya IAS Academy – Current Affairs Chinmaya IAS Academy – Current Affairs
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Over the last few years, ‘Durga Puja diplomacy’ has been gaining importance in Kolkata, with countries that have consulates here making it a point to participate in the celebrations. This year, China has decided to take a big step forward by actively collaborating with the BJ Block Durga Puja Committee in Salt Lake, on the eastern fringes of the city. Not only will the Chinese Consulate be collaborating in constructing the canopy where the idol of the goddess will be housed, it will also be flying in over two dozen Chinese artists to put up cultural performances. In June this year, it had taken Puja organisers and pandal designers to China’s Yunnan province to familiarise them with local artistic traditions. In political circles, one of the key objectives of ‘Durga Puja diplomacy’ is the pending visit of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to China. Her elaborate trip to Beijing got cancelled a couple of months ago. The reason given was “procedural lapses.” The Chinese Consulate in Kolkata has ensured a fresh impetus now for the trip, with the Salt Lake Puja. The inauguration of the celebrations would take place on October 13 and many VVIPs, including the Chief Minister are to be invited, according to a statement from the Chinese Consulate.
