By Fazal Shahab, Muslim Mirror,
Lucknow, August 19: Emphasising the need to revive age old Indo-Turkish friendship, ambassador of Turkey Dr. Burak Alcapar appealed to declare Lucknow a sister city of any Turkish city, so that cultural, educational and economic exchange and cooperation may increase between the two cities.
Alcapar was speaking on the occasion of silver jubilee celebrations of the Indo Turkish Friendship and Cultural Society in Lucknow, India, Saturday night. Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Akhilesh Yadav was also present on the occasion.
Relations between Turkey and India are marked by historical depth dating back to the sixteenth century, Alcapar said. During the course of time even inter marriages took place. Highlighting major milestones, Alcapar said “your Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad Ansari worked as a volunteer during Balkan Wars.”
Lamenting the diminishing contact in recent years between the two countries, Turkish ambassador told the gathering that flight frequency will be increased between the two countries so that people to people contact increases. Cultural exhibition will be organised in Lucknow to enhance the understanding.
Real friendship between any two nations takes place when the people from two countries get a chance to know each other and explore possibilities, he said.
Speaking on the occasion Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said “world is changing fast and it is time to have good relations not only with our neighbors but also with distant countries”.
Talking about the heritage and history he further said there was a time when documents in India used to be in Turkish language, then it was Persian; Urdu, Hindi and English followed suit.”
There are around six thousand words from Turkish language being used in India, which is a proof to the old bonding, Akhilesh Yadav said.
Indo Turkish Friendship and Cultural Society was formed in Lucknow in the year 1970, told Dr. Ammar Rizvi, founder of the society.
Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi is world famous, who gave the message of love and universal brotherhood to the world, Dr. Rizvi said while elaborating the cultural richness and influence of both the countries upon each other.
Several other dignitaries and academicians shared the experiences of their visit to Turkey and emphasised the need to take relations to new level.