Vietnam-India friendship Bodhi trees planted in Yen Bai. Source: Indian Embassy in Hanoi

As part of the commemorative events to mark the 152^nd Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, 75^th anniversary year of India’s Independence and 50^th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Vietnam, the Embassy of India in coordination with People’s Committee of Yen Bai Province organized a Tree Planting Ceremony in Yen Bai on 2^nd October 2021. A total of 125 Giang Huong trees (Pterocarpus macrocarpus Kurs) were planted to mark the 75 years of Indian Independence and 50 years of India-Vietnam diplomatic relations.

The ceremony was attended by H.E. Mr. Pranay Verma, Ambassador of India to Vietnam, H.E. Mr. Nguyen The Phuoc, Standing Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Yen Bai Province, dignitaries of People’s Committee and the Indian business community in Yen Bai.

In his remarks, Ambassador Pranay Verma described the tree plantation as a long-lasting symbol of age-old friendship between India and Vietnam and the collaboration between the two countries for protection of environment. He noted that the ceremony gained further significance as it took place on the 152^nd birth anniversary of India’s “Father of the Nation” and the apostle of peace and non-violence, Mahatma Gandhi. The day is also designated by the United Nations as the International Day of Non-violence.

Indian Ambassador Verma met the Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Do Duc Duy. Source: Indian Embassy in Hanoi

Ambassador noted that the tress planted today also symbolized Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of harmony with nature that is fundamental to addressing today’s challenges of climate change and environmental degradation and to building a sustainable future for our children. He hoped that these 125 trees will contribute to Government of Vietnam’s “Green Vietnam Initiative” of planting one billion trees by 2025.

Ambassador also thanked the Provincial Government of Yen Bai to join the Embassy of India in marking Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary as well as in celebrating the 75^th anniversary year of India’s Independence and 50 years of India-Vietnam Diplomatic Relations. Ambassador highlighted the close links developed between India and Yen Bai province through various Indian development and investment projects in the province as well as mutual exchange of visits.

H.E. Mr. Nguyen The Phuoc, Standing Vice Chairman of People’s Committee of Yen Bai affirmed that the gifting of 125 Giang Huong trees for the province was a vivid demonstration of the sentiment and attachment between the two countries and the relations between the Embassy of India and Yen Bai Province. This type of trees which has good shade and gives beautiful flowers are suitable for the soil of Yen Bai. The gifting and planting of trees are the meaningful activities to mark 50^th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and India and 75^th anniversary year of India’s Independence. These trees also contributed to the programme to plant one billion trees under the Green Vietnam Initiative during 2021-2025 launched by the Prime Minister of Vietnam. He expressed hopes that the trees being planted today will grow well and become vivid symbols of friendship between Vietnam and India, between people of the two nations and between Yen Bai and India.

At the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding for Indian grant assistance under the Quick Impact Project (QIP) programme. Source: Indian Embassy in Hanoi

Ambassador’s visit and the various events that took place today highlighted India’s close developmental and economic engagement with Yen Bai Province. Until now, eight Indian companies have invested in Yen Bai with total registered capital of more than US$ 25 million.

Indian Ambassador Pranay Verma released the Vietnamese translation of Mahatma Gandhi’s book “Hind Swaraj” by Dr. Le Thi Hang Nga of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences.

India has also partnered with Yen Bai Province to implement various development partnerships in healthcare sector and in local infrastructure development including bridge, infield canals and schools. Under Government of India’s Quick Impact Project programme, India successfully implemented the project of “Construction of Infield canal at Tan An Ward, Nghia Lo District of Yen Bai” in 2020.

During Ambassador’s visit to Yen Bai on October 2^nd, both sides also signed an MOU for a new Quick Impact Project (QIP) for “Construction of Infield Canal at Dong Khe Commune, Van Chan District of Yen Bai Province”, which will provide irrigation for 20 hectares of farmland and directly benefit more than 1500 families. Though small in size, these Quick Impact Projects, which are implemented in a short period of time, bring tangible and rapid benefits to the local community. Speaking during his visit, Ambassador Pranay Verma noted that these projects were India’s contribution to assist Vietnam in achieving Sustainable Development Goals.

During the visit, Ambassador also met the Secretary of the Party Committee of the Yen Bai, H. E. Mr. Do Duc Duy and held detailed discussions on current and future cooperation opportunities between India and Yen Bai province in areas such as trade, investment, tourism and cultural engagement.

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