SPEECH BY HER EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT OF INDIA, SHRIMATI PRATIBHA DEVISINGH PATIL AT THE INDIAN COMMUNITY

Seoul, 26th July 2011

I am delighted to have this opportunity to interact with the Indian community and with Korean Friends of India.

In all my visits abroad, I accord a special value to my interactions with the Indian community, and foreign friends and well-wishers of India. After all, relations between countries are built and nurtured by the people on both sides. The goodwill generated by the Indian Diaspora contributes profoundly to the relationship between India and the Republic of Korea. If our Tri-colour is flying high in Korea, a large part of the credit goes to you, and to your contribution to the land you have adopted as your karmabhoomi. Indians abroad numbering over 25 million across the world are law-abiding, hardworking, and enterprising. All of you in the Republic of Korea are no exception.

The Republic of Korea and India share not just historical ties, but cultural affinities underlined by age-old traditions and the philosophy of the Buddha. India was present here at the dawn of Korean independence, and in fact Indian representatives oversaw the first democratic elections in this country in 1948. Our Medical Unit and Field Ambulances offered medical care and succour, to both sides during the Korean War. There is natural empathy between our two countries, as both suffered the pain caused by colonialism. Our countries now share a Strategic Partnership and values of democracy, rule of law and respect for human dignity, which binds our two peoples together.

My own visit to the Republic of Korea is aimed at accelerating the momentum of our bilateral relations. All of you can also contribute to this goal. I urge you to give your best to strengthen Korea, and help expand the bilateral partnership.

You may be aware of the gracious gesture of the Government of the Republic of Korea, in providing a permanent place for a bust of India's Poet Laureate Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore in the centre of Seoul . He had described Korea as the 'Lamp of the East', and all of you who live here are testimony to the accuracy of his prediction.

I understand that the Indian community in Korea is about seven thousand strong. This number may be relatively small, but you are making a perceptible contribution to various walks of life of this proud and thriving nation. Amongst you are successful businessmen, academics, scientists, students and researchers, as well as management and engineering professionals. As you would be aware, India and Korea have a Social Security Agreement which would protect the retirement benefits of professionals and others. The administrative arrangements to operationalise this important Agreement have been finalized during my visit. We wish that all of you flourish and at the same time make a contribution to Korea's cultural, economic and social milieu. It is important that whatever your line of work, you remain committed to the integrity, prosperity and well-being of this wonderful country and its people.

We, in India, are proud of all of you. With your energy, your dynamism, your entrepreneurship and your skills you have contributed much to the country of your birth as well as the country you have selected to live in.

The world is changing and India is changing too. In the last few years, our economy has begun to grow rapidly due to the efforts and creative energies of our people. This has raised India's profile among the comity of nations. Our Government is committed to remove poverty, hunger and disease. We want our growth process to be inclusive, so that all sections of our populace can have improved standards of living. I am sure that the Indian diaspora will contribute in these efforts. We have a full-fledged Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs for the benefit and welfare of the Indian Diaspora. Each year, we celebrate Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. I hope many of you are able to participate in such activities.

It is a matter of great joy for me to learn about the incredible individual Korean stories of affection for India, our culture, and our values. I recognize two such Korean citizens who are present here with us this evening.

First, Dr. Kim Yang Shik, the President of the Tagore Society, who was conferred the Padmashree award for her exceptional contribution, by translating Gurudev Tagore's works into Korean. The Indian Art Museum that she has established recently in Seoul, with her personal collection of artefacts from India selected over fifty years, can only be described as an amazing act of friendship and love towards India.

Dr. Thok-kyu Limb, the President of the India-Korea Society, you have been a pillar of the India-Korea partnership for more than twenty years. Your association with Indian leaders, over more than a generation, and your contribution through your writings, to promoting understanding and solidarity between our two countries evokes admiration for your efforts.

In conclusion, I would like to say that the strong and vibrant political and economic partnership between India and the Republic of Korea can only benefit from endeavours of people who forge ties of friendship.

Thank you for being with me here this evening, and thank you for your invaluable contribution to the India-Korea friendship.

I wish you, your families, and all our Korean friends, success, happiness and prosperity.

Thank you.

Jai Hind!