Prez commends Yoga ashrams in Spain for boosting cultural ties

Priyanka Tikoo

Madrid, Apr 22 (PTI) Injecting a "human element" into the
Indo-Spanish ties, President Pratibha Patil has lauded the
role of over 500 "Yoga ashrams" in this country in helping the
culturally inclined Spaniards to have a feel of incredible
India.

"The links between India and Spain cover many dimensions.
The human element is particularly important in this context,"
Patil said at the State Banquet hosted in her honour by
Spanish King Juan Carlos and Queen Sophia here last night.

Noting that an "impressive" number of Spanish travellers
visit India each year, she said they are a "valued resource in
introducing the Indian kaleidoscope to Spain."

"The friendly spirit with which the varied aspects of
Indian culture are received in Spain is heartwarming. These
include the more than 500 Yoga ashrams in this country that
offer an introduction to India's philosophy of life and
healthy existence," Patil said.

"For the youth and the students of the two countries to
have opportunities to interact, our universities should be
encouraged to have exchange programmes that are mutually
beneficial," the President said.

Earlier, the Spanish King, in his address to the banquet,
described India as an "emerging power" highlighted not only by
the dynamism of its entrepreneurs, IT engineers or filmmakers,
but also by the wealth of its ancient culture, notable for its
variety, creativity and artistic talent.

"These are also defining features of our cultural
heritage, leading our two countries to unreservedly support
inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue, so fruitfully and
significantly illustrated in our history," he said.

"It is enough to mention the beautiful and incomparable
cities of Granada in Spain and Agra in India, which pair the
Alhambra and the Taj Mahal," the King said.

He also noted that Nobel laureates, Rabindranath Tagore
and Juan Ramon Jimenez, in their time and through mutual
admiration had put down the best possible foundations for
relations and understanding between the thinkers of the two
countries.

"And maestros like Vicente Escudero or Ravi Shankar
renewed reciprocal interest in our rich musical legacies with
roots that converge in flamenco," he said.

"But we do know that nowadays India is highly interested
in the dynamic and modern Spain, in its strong economic and
social progress and in its role in Europe, Latin America and
the Mediterranean," the King said.