A reception organised by the Chinese consulate general on January 29 at Hyatt Regency Kolkata marked two occasions tinged with contrasting emotions. The evening welcomed the year of the dragon on one hand and bade farewell to the outgoing consul general, Zha Liyou, and his wife Zheng Huiqun on the other.
“Over five years, I have made many friends and promoted many initiatives. Life in Calcutta has left me with numerous moments of joy. People in Calcutta are like people in China — diligent, brave and striving for self-improvement,” said the consul general, who is retiring from service at the end of his five-year tenure in the city. The date of the reception was chosen as that is when he had joined in 2019, he said.
A moment from the cultural performance
“My five years in eastern India made me realise that Chinese restaurants are everywhere here and Chinese brands are very popular, especially in electronics. The dragon is a symbol of prospect and energy. I hope the elephant (symbolising India) and the dragon (China) continue to tango,” he added, promising to offer advice if needed on improving bilateral ties and addressing the guests in Bengali as didi-dada.
The guests included visitors from Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Mumbai as also some students from Jharkhand who had come to meet him before he left. There was also strong attendance from the local Indian-Chinese community from Tangra and Tiretta Bazar.
Lion dance to welcome the Chinese new year
A group called India Hong De Fitness Club performed a colourful lion dance. Alongside them, the three gods of prosperity, luck and longevity — Fuk, Luk and Sau — also made an appearance. “They are here to greet the gathering,” smiled James Liao, the founder of the group from Tangra formed in 2001.
Suranjan Das, vice-chancellor, Adamas University