संपर्क

Monthly Newsletter Nov 2023/Issue 3

DG’s Message
ITA is delighted to unveil the November edition
of Sampark. The month witnessed numerous events,
with a particular focus on Diwali. Several universities,
associations, and institutions hosted Diwali
celebrations that garnered widespread participation.
The Diwali celebrations in Taiwan were
exceptionally remarkable, witnessing extensive
participation from various segments of the society.
About 11 Taiwanese dance groups actively took part
in the Diwali celebration held by the Tamsui river on
05th November 2023. Additionally, the friends of
India and enthusiasts of Indian culture joined the
Manharsinh Laxmanbhai Yadav
Diwali celebrations at Taipei Guest House. A special Director General, ITA
note of gratitude goes to all the performers at these
events, as they truly embody the essence of Indian
culture.
The central theme of India's recently concluded G20 presidency is encapsulated in
the ancient Indian mantra, 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' - encouraging everyone to view
the world as one family. This profound message has been wholeheartedly embraced by
the Indian diaspora worldwide.
Members of the Indian community contribute significantly to the economic growth
and well-being of their host societies. They carry with them the democratic values of
openness, pluralism, and respect for diverse cultures. This age-old philosophy of
considering the world as one family has seamlessly guided members of the Indian
diaspora to assimilate effortlessly into diverse societies globally.
May the radiant spirit of Diwali continue to illuminate our paths as we collectively
combat both inner and outer darkness.

Sampark | संपर्क | Nov 2023 2

 PM
UPDATES
PM Modi urged (Nov 8) the
masses to celebrate India’s
entrepreneurial and creative
spirit by supporting the local
talent using digital media.

PM Modi has penned (Nov 30) his

thoughts on the completion of
India’s G20 Presidency and the
reinforcement of the principles of
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - One
Earth, One Family, One Future.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed (Nov 30) the Rozgar Mela and
distributed about 51,000 appointment letters to newly inducted recruits via
video conferencing. PM said that Rozgar Mela paved the way for youth to become
the makers of a ‘Viksit Bharat’; your top priority should be the ease of living for
the citizens; Government is reaching the doorsteps of those who had never
received any benefits; India is witnessing an infrastructure revolution;
Incomplete projects are a great injustice to the honest taxpayers of the country,
and Global institutions are optimistic about India’s growth story.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi appreciated (Nov 10)

efforts of all those involved to promote Meri Maati
Mera Desh initiative. Savitribai Phule Pune
University has organised Selfie With Meri Maati
campaign under Meri Maati Mera Desh initiative. In
this campaign more than 25 lakh students from 7000
colleges of 40 universities participated and this
campaign got recorded in the Guinness Book of
World Records due to huge participation.

PM Modi carried out a sortie on

indigenous Indian Air Force multirole
fighter jet, Tejas, manufactured by
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
Tejas is a lightweight, multirole, single-
seat, single-engine tactical fighter aircraft
designed and developed by India.

Sampark | संपर्क | Nov 2023 3

THIS MONTH

The Cabinet led by PM has decided (Nov 29) that the Central government will
provide free food grains to about 81.35 crore beneficiaries under the Pradhan
Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) for a period of five years with effect
from 1st January, 2024. This decision that places PMGKAY amongst the World’s
biggest social welfare schemes aimed at ensuring continuation of free foodgrains to
strengthen accessibility, affordability and availability of foodgrains for the poor
and the vulnerable for five years.

PM Modi inaugurated (Nov 3) the second edition of the Mega food event ‘World
Food India 2023’ at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, in New Delhi. PM disbursed
Seed Capital Assistance for over one lakh SHG members to strengthen Self Help
Groups. The event aims to showcase India as the ‘food basket of the world’ and
celebrate 2023 as the International Year of Millets.

PM Modi praised (Nov 19) Indian Cricket

team for their performance in the World
Cup Cricket tournament sand said that we
stand with you today and always. PM also
congratulated Australia for their victory in
the World Cup. Earlier on Nov 15, PM hailed
Virat Kohli on becoming the first cricketer
to score 50 One Day International
hundreds.

PM Modi conveyed his congratulations to

the (Nov 23) Indian Para Archery team for
splendid performance at Para Asian
Gold medals were secured by Sarita Archery Championships in Bangkok on
and Rakesh Kumar in the November 23. He also extended
compound mixed team open, while felicitations to the Wushu champions for
Sheetal Devi earned a silver medal their success at the 16th World Wushu
in women’s individual compound Championship in the USA
open. The women’s team compound
open, featuring Sarita and Jyoti,
clinched a bronze medal.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
acknowledged (Nov 26) the optimism
among the entrepreneurs about
India as an investment destination
and welcome the world to invest in
our nation.
Sampark | संपर्क | Nov 2023 4
 INDIA-TAIWAN
RELATIONSHIP
Taiwan celebrates friendship with India at Diwali celebration
MOFA, Taiwan organized a Diwali Celebration for the Indian diaspora in Taiwan, where
Foreign Minister Joseph Wu welcomed attendees. He encouraged Indians to view
Taiwan as a second home, highlighting growing bilateral trade and student exchange.
The event fostered unity between Taiwanese and Indian communities, demonstrating
a commitment to diversity and potential future collaboration. DG ITA also spoke on
“Taiwan's respect for and embrace of diverse cultures,” urging Indians in Taiwan to
serve as ambassadors of Indian culture to the Taiwanese people.

India's External Affairs Minister lauds growing cooperation with Taiwan

India and Taiwan are solidifying their partnership across multiple sectors. Foreign
Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar commended the expanding cooperation, particularly in
technology, economy, and business, especially within the electronics and
semiconductor industries. India actively welcomes Taiwanese investments, offering
access to its vast domestic and export markets.

Taiwan deepens higher education cooperation with India

Taiwan’s Deputy Minister of Education Liu Mengqi and directors of 11 universities
including National Taiwan University visited (Nov 18-23) India to promote academic
exchange between two sides. Liu Mengqi said that Taiwan and India will continue to
cooperate in the fields of semiconductor, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering,
Mathematics) and financial fields. Earlier, the officials of All India Council for Technical
and Vocational Education (AICTE), India visited Taiwan, in September this year, to have
academic exchanges with many universities and companies. To mention, the number
of Indian students in Taiwan increased by nearly 1,000 in last five years.
Bihar State officials from India visit Taiwan to woo investment
A government delegation led by Director, Ministry of Industry, Bihar visited (Nov 21)
Taiwan and invited Taiwanese companies to participate in the investment summit
"Bihar Business Connect 2023" schedule to be held on December 13-14, 2023. In
addition, Bihar government is likely to sign a memorandum with TECC in India at the
end of the year to establish two Chinese teaching centers to train local Indian students
to become "Mid-level cadres" for better coordination with Taiwanese companies and
direct front-line workers.

Sampark | संपर्क | Nov 2023 5

 Featured Event
ITA Celebrated Grand Diwali in Taiwan
on 05th November 2023
ITA celebrated Grand Diwali, at Yanping Riverside Park in Taipei. The event featured
the traditional lighting of the Indian lamp by Director General Mr. Manharsinh Yadav,
Foreign Minister Joseph Wu, and Eric Chen-hua Yu, Chairperson of Research,
Development and Evaluation Commission of Taipei City Government, along with
distinguished guests from various sectors. The festivities included classical Indian
Odissi and Kathak dances, Bollywood performances, art stalls, and a diverse selection of
Indian cuisine. The evening culminated in a spectacular fireworks display, allowing
Taiwanese attendees to experience the true essence of Diwali in Taiwan.

ITA and the Government of Bihar jointly organized the "Destination Bihar" seminar in
Taipei. DG ITA Manharsinh Yadav, Additional Chief Secretary Mr. Sandeep Poundrik, and
Director Jason Hsu from the Ministry of Economic Affairs attended, emphasizing Bihar's
economic and trade environment. Mr. Poundrik highlighted priority sectors like food
processing, textiles, leather, and IT electronics, encouraging Taiwanese businesses to
explore investment opportunities in the state.
ITA in coordination with National ITA, in collaboration with Taiwan Seafood
Research Institute of Chinese Import Association and India's Marine Products
Medicine (NRICM) organised 2023 Export Development Authority (MPEDA),
Ayurveda Day themed ‘Ayurveda for organized the 2023 Indian Seafood Tasting
everyone on every day’ on 17 Event in Kaohsiung. Featuring imported Indian
November 2023 at the Ayush seafood like lobsters, shrimps, whelks, and
Information Cell at the NRICM in pomfrets, the event showcased their versatility
Taipei. At the event, several Ayurvedic in traditional Taiwanese cuisine, aiming to
ingredients commonly used daily demonstrate to seafood importers that Indian
were introduced to the audience, seafood can be excellent ingredients for
followed by an Indian Masala Tea delicious Taiwanese dishes.
demonstration. You may also find
some of the selected India herbal
spices with medicinal properties in the
2023 Ayurveda Day e-Kit
( 阿 育 吠 陀 日 電 子 手 冊 )
https://ayurvedaday.org.in/the-ayurveda-e-kit/.

Sampark | संपर्क | Nov 2023 6

Supply Chain Summit
co-organized by DIGITIMES and the India-Taipei Association (ITA)
DIGITIMES and ITA's Supply Chain Summit, held in Taipei on November 14, saw leaders like
DIGITIMES Chairman Colley Hwang and HCL Group Co-founder Ajay Chowdhry
underscoring the critical importance of Taiwan-India collaboration in the global
semiconductor supply chain's future. The summit highlighted the strategic partnership's
indispensability for sustained industry growth and innovation.
DG’s Words
Making and designing chips in India
Manharsinh Yadav, Director General of
ITA, announced incentives worth US$7
billion for electronic manufacturing in
India, aligning with projections from
Morgan Stanley that India will be the
world's third-largest economy by 2027.
Yadav emphasized India's commitment
to providing over 85,000 semiconductor-
ready professionals by 2025-26, aligning
with the needs of the Taiwanese
semiconductor industry. He highlighted
curriculum changes in 625 colleges and collaborations with global institutes, including Taiwan.
Yadav expressed the ambitious vision of making India the most advanced country by 2047,
inviting Taiwan as a partner in this endeavor, echoing the Prime Minister's declaration during
Independence Day two years ago.
Ajay Chowdhry, HCL Group Co-founder,
addressed the Supply Chain Summit, urging
Taiwanese industry leaders to recognize the
growth potential in India amid geopolitical
shifts. While acknowledging 250 Taiwanese
companies' investments in India, Chowdhry
emphasized the need for larger
commitments, citing the Indian governments
substantial incentives for semiconductor companies. Advocating for over 30 years, he sees
India not only as a market but as a manufacturing and design hub, inviting Taiwan to set up
numerous design centers. Stressing Taiwan's missed opportunities, Chowdhry highlighted
India's $5 trillion potential by 2027, with a $400 billion increase in the electronics industry alone.
He invited collaboration with DIGITIMES Chairman Colley Hwang to facilitate synergy
between Taiwan and India's semiconductor supply chain efforts.

Sampark | संपर्क | Nov 2023 7

Sampark | संपर्क | Nov 2023 8
 DG’s Outreach

DG met with Chairman Huang Chin-Shan of Nan Liu Enterprise Co Ltd on November 11, and
also met Kuan Bi-ling, Minister of Ocean Affairs Council, and many distinguished industry
leaders in Kaohsiung and discussed about future potential commercial and industrial
collaboration between India and Taiwan.
DG met with Chien-Chih Hwang, Executive Vice President of CSC and Tse-Wei Hsu, Chairman
of CSCI Steel Corporation India on November 11, 2023 during his trip to Kaohsiung. CSC’s
progress.
DG met with Charlie Lee, the CEO of AvanStrate and his team on November 11, 2023 during his
trip to Tainan. The meeting focused on discussing measures to promote and expand positive
collaboration between India and Taiwan, exemplified by Vedanta Group's majority stake in
AvanStrate.
DG met with Kaohsiung City Deputy Mayor Ta-Sheng Lo on November 11, 2023, in Kaohsiung,
where both sides agreed to strengthen connections for enhanced cultural, economic, industrial,
and technological collaboration. Discussions also included smart city solutions and the
potential for sister cities
DG met with Taiwan's Minister of Transportation and Communications, Mr. Wang Kuo-tsai, on
November 15, 2023. The discussions focused on enhancing bilateral visits between Taiwan and
India, promoting tourism, and planning transportation initiatives.
DG met with legislator Ms. Yu-Chin Wu, the chairman of Taiwan-India Parliamentary
Friendship Association, on November 15, 2023, dedicated to promoting bilateral exchanges and
communication between Taiwan and India. The discussions focused on enhancing economic
and trade cooperation, promoting bilateral tourism, and exchanging views on issues such as
exporting Indian talent to Taiwan.
DG was invited as a guest lecturer by National Taiwan University (NTU) on November 21, 2023.
He delivered a talk on the topic "India and Taiwan - A Growth Led Partnership," engaging in an
interactive and informative session with the bright students of NTU.
DG met with the Popular Indian actor Arjan Bajwa at ITA. Bajwa visited Taiwan for the
shooting of the upcoming Taiwanese film "Demon Hunters," directed by Mei-Juin Chen. This
action-comedy is scheduled for international release and is currently in production. The cast
boasts well-known Taiwanese stars including JC Lin, recognized for the series "What the Hell is
Love" and the film "Some Day or One Day," Regina Lei from "Antikalpa" on Netflix, and the
seasoned actor Jack Kao from the "Assassin" and "Gatao" series on Netflix.

Sampark | संपर्क | Nov 2023 9

Sampark | संपर्क | Nov 2023 10
 Cover Story
INDIAN
CULTURE

RathYatra
This is an annual festival celebration which unites people from all walks of life for a
common cause to help Lord fulfill his promise to his Devotee. Such beautiful stories
only exist in India.
King Indradyumna built the first main Temple of Lord Jagganath on the coast of the
Bay of Bengal in Puri, Odisha. According to the ancient legend of puri, Lord Jagganath
promised Gundicha, the queen of the King Indradyumna, that he will visit her once in
a year. So, during the month of Asadha (June or July), the Main deities of the temple,
Lord Jagganath, his Brother Baladev and Sister Subhadra and Sudarshan Chakra are
are brought out onto the Bada Danda (main street of Puri) and travel (3 km) to the
Shri Gundicha Temple, in huge chariots called Rath, allowing the public to have
darśana (Holy view).
The deities travel for a day and stay in Gundica Temple for 7 days and return to the
Main temple on the eighth day. Special food is prepared and offered to the deities
during this time.
The main significance of the temple is that lakhs of people take darshan of Lord
Jagganath on this Day and celebrate the divinity and mercy of the Lord. Enchanting
Vedas and Stotras by Brahmins and of the beats of cymbals and gongs, the sounds of
conches being blown make you feel spiritually uplifted and forget the worries of this
material world for a moment.
International Rath Yatra
The Ratha Yatra festival has become a common sight in most major cities of the
world since 1968 through the Hare Krishna movement. International Society for
Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has many centers around the World and organizes
this Rath Yatra festival annually in over a hundred cities worldwide taking Indian
culture and tradition globally.

Sampark | संपर्क | Nov 2023 11

 ISKCON Taipei
Celebrated its Annual
Rath Yatra on Nov 18 near
Ximen Night Market

Selected Millet Recipe

Samai/Kutki/Little Millet Venpongal
Prep and cooking time: 30 min Tadka:
Pongal ingredients: 1 tbsp ghee
1/2 cup little millet 1 tbsp jeera/cumin seeds
1/2 cup moong dal 1 tsp whole black pepper
1 tbsp minced ginger
1/2 tsp cumin powder
5-6 cashews
1/2 tsp black pepper powder
A pinch of asafoetida
Salt to taste A pinch of turmeric
8-10 curry leaves
Method:
1. Dry roast the moong on low flame for 2-3 min.
2. Wash the millet well under running water.
3. Add the millet and moong dal in a pressure cooker, and add 3 cups of water.
4. Add the cumin and pepper powder, and pressure cook for 3 whistles.
5. Once the pressure releases, open up the cooker, and give the cooked mixture a
stir. Add water until it reaches your preferred consistency and softness, and add
salt to taste.
6. In a tadka pan, add the ghee, and the tadka ingredients. Once the tempering is
complete, pour this over the cooked pongal, and mix.
7. Serve hot with sambar, chutney.

Introduced by Atulaa Krishnamurthy

Atulaa Krishnamurthy is a corporate lawyer, working with a global HRtech
startup. A graduate of the National Law School Bangalore, she is a holder of
the Taiwan Gold Card. In her free time, Atulaa enjoys reading and long walks

Sampark | संपर्क | Nov 2023 12

 ITA’s Upcoming Event

ITA is organising a Badminton

tournament for the Indian diaspora at
the Taipei Xinyi Sports Centre from
January 6 to January 14, 2023 onwards.
(tournament will take place on
weekends only).
Those of you interested in
participating, please register yourself
by scanning QR code or Click this Link

ITA is going to celebrate Pravasi Bhartiya

Divas & World Hindi Day on January
09th, 2024 at ITA Cultural Hall for more
details please follow us on ITA facebook
page, Instagram, Twitter or ITA website.

Follow us :
Contact Us ita_taipei
India-Taipei Association, Taipei, Taiwan ita_taipei
Phone No. +886 2 2757 6112 www.facebook.com/ITATW
Email Id: inf.ita@mea.gov.in https://www.india.org.tw

We greatly value your feedback, and we encourage you to get in touch with us at the following
email address: inf.ita@mea.gov.in. Your input is invaluable to us, and we look forward to
hearing from you. Thank you for your support and engagement.
Sampark | संपर्क | Nov 2023 13