Geetesh Sharma (Photo: thedailystar.net) Sharma, an Indian journalist and a close friend ofVietnam, passed away on May 2 due to COVID-19, leaving behind a deep regret inthe heart of Vietnamese friends.
Born in 1932, Sharma was a veteran journalist and theauthor of 23 books in Hindi and English, of which many were about Vietnam.
As President of the IVSC in West Bengal, he wasconferred Vietnam’s Order of Friendship – the noble award of the State and theGovernment of Vietnam – in 2015, in recognition of his significantcontributions to fostering the two people’s solidarity and friendship.
Sharma was an important witness to the history of therelationship between Vietnam and India. Talking to Vietnam News Agencycorrespondents in India in January 2021 ahead of the 13th National Congress ofthe Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), he said he had travelled to Vietnam 29times on many different occasions, visiting many localities from the North tothe South.
He saw the terrible devastation of the war in Vietnam,the Doi Moi (renewal) process, and changes and steps of development takingplace after each congress of the CPV.
Over the past five decades, Sharma had organised manyactivities to support Vietnam’s struggle for independence in the past as wellas its current national construction and development. He was an active memberof the IVSC in West Bengal since the early 1970s, participating indemonstrations showing solidarity with the Vietnamese people in their strugglefor national liberation and reunification.
In her remarks, Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga,President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations, described Sharma’spassing as a great loss of the two countries’ people.
Vietnamese and Indians will stand side by side topromote the fine traditional relationship, solidarity and friendship betweenthe two countries, as well as mutual understanding of their people, for peace,cooperation and sustainable development, she said./.
VNA
