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VOL. 27, NO. 35, May 16, 2008 (Jestha 01 2065 B.S.) |
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DEV ANAND
Friend in Need
Bollywood actor Dev Anand has shown that people-to-people relation between Nepal-India is much more important than the state-to-state relation
By A CORRESPONDENT
Whether under the direct rule of King's Gyanendra or the time of forming a new government led by Communist Party of Nepal - Maoist, it does not make any difference to renowned Bollywood actor Dev Anand. His message, all the time, is clear: nothing can alter the strong and warm relationship existing at people to people level.
Bollywood actor Dev Anand has made great contribution to strengthen the relations existing at the people to people level by making some very popular films in Nepal. His film Hare Ram Hare Krishna helped introduce Nepal's image in India.
For the last four decades, Dev Anand's passion to visit Nepal has continued. Even at this stage, he came to Nepal to unveil his autobiography Romancing With Life. Indian envoy to Nepal Rakesh Sood released the book at the 12 th Nepal Education and Book Exhibition.
Although he is 85, Dev Anand still has same the same charisma and his smile still has the same power to steal hearts. Three years ago when Indian media were making every efforts to tarnish the image of Nepal, Dev Anand had shown courage to speak about the long and warm brotherly relations existing between Nepal and India. This time, too, he exhibited same love and passion to Nepal.
Along with attending Book Exhibition, Dev Anand also interacted with Nepalese audience. Organized by B.P. Koirala India Nepal Foundation, Indian Cultural Center and India Embassy, the interaction program was lively as Dev Anand discussed a wide range of relations existing between two neighbors.
"The way I have seen Nepal, most of you have not. It is a very beautiful country and we have many cultural and religious commonalities," said Dev Anand. “I've traveled the world. Mark my words, no place in this entire universe is as beautiful as your country. Even in Switzerland, many things are manmade. Nepal is god-gifted. I appeal to all to go to Nepal, go to the high mountains. They're tremendous. That's Nepal to me.”
Being a close neighbor, Nepal and India naturally have seen many ups and downs in their political relation but that is not the case in the relations at people to people. Having many cultural and religious similarities and common religious values, the relation at people living in both countries remain harmonious.
"When I was about to start my shooting at this architectural place, many told me not to pick this venue. They said Nepal and India don't have good relations. I didn't care. I wanted to shoot in the place as a filmmaker and not as a politician. The moment I started shooting, the whole of Bhaktapur participated; and Mumtaz danced beautifully. No doubt, every one liked the film," said Dev Anand to The Kathmandu Post.
Whether one likes it or not, it is a reality that Nepal and India, though they have certain differences, cannot ignore the commonalities of interests in all spheres of life. Persons like Dev Anand can make a lot difference.
B.P. Koirala Nepal India Foundation has been playing very important role highlighting cultural commonalties existing between two countries. Although Nepal has seen transformation in political system as it became a secular state from Hindu Kingdom and is moving from monarchical to republic, unitary to federal, one cannot change religious and cultural commonalities existing between the two countries.
