Embassy of India

Budapest

Press Release : 24 Oct 06

Visit of Hon’ble Minister of Tourism & Culture Smt. Ambika Soni to Hungary from 22-24 October 2006

Hon’ble Minister of Tourism and Culture, Smt. Ambika Soni, paid an official visit to Hungary from 22-24 Oct 06. She represented India in the commemorative celebrations of the 50th Anniversary of 1956 Revolution held in Budapest on 22-23 Oct 06. Hon’ble Minister Smt. Soni was among more than 50 dignitaries, including Heads of State/Government and Ministers, from around the world, attending the commemorative events. It may be recalled that the October 1956 revolution saw a spontaneous uprising by the Hungarian people for democracy and against foreign presence. The uprising was crushed through violent force.

During the visit, Hon’ble Minister Smt. Soni jointly released a book along with the Foreign Minister of Hungary H.E. Dr. Kinga Goncz. The book titled “India and the 1956 Hungarian Revolution’’ contains documents from the Archives of the Ministry of External Affairs giving an insight into the role played by India during the tumultuous period.

From left: Chief Foreign Policy Adviser to President of Hungary Dr. Laszlo Solyom Ambassador Andras Gylyas, Ambassador of India Shri Ranjit Rae, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism and Culture Smt. Ambika Soni, Foreign Minister of Hungary H.E.Dr. Kinga Goncz	From left: Ambassador of India Shri Ranjit Rae, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism and Culture Smt. Ambika Soni, Foreign Minister of Hungary H.E.Dr. Kinga Goncz, Former President of Hungary Dr. Arpad Goncz, Editor of the book Dr. Geza Bethlenfalvi

President of Hungary H.E. Dr. Laszlo Solyom, sent a written message which was read out during the book release function by his Chief Foreign Policy Adviser, Amb. Andras Gulyas. In his message, President Solyom says: “In those baleful times, India exhibited a beautiful example of solidarity in action. Some of the participants of the resistance hoped not without grounds that India, with her special relationship with Soviet Union, would intervene, if even only to reduce the extent of retaliation. They attempted to send a Memorandum outside the country via the recently established Indian Embassy. Charge de Affairs Mohammad Ataur Rahman put a lot of effort into making the Indian government and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru use their influence for the sake of Hungarians.” The message further said that Indian leadership did more than to “reduce the extent of retaliation, and save the lives of a number of Hungarian defendants, some of whom had been condemned to death, through the personal intervention of the PM with Soviet leaders.”

In her speech at the Book Release function, Hon’ble Minister Smt. Soni said: ‘The flame of liberty that was lit in 1956 may have dimmed temporarily but it was never extinguished. Today Hungary is a vibrant democracy. The message of 1956 is that the struggle for freedom and democracy is always victorious. Our two countries are now cooperating in various ways including under the aegis of the Budapest based International Centre for Democratic Transition [ICDT] to share our lessons and experiences that may have relevance for other countries in transition. I am confident that this publication will stand testimony to he enduring nature of Indo-Hungarian friendship based on shared values of democracy and human freedom.’

Former President of Hungary Dr. Arpad Goncz, and Mrs. Goncz graced the Book Release function. In his remarks, Dr. Goncz thanked India for close and strong attachment shown for Hungry in those difficult days, which he said, was ‘rare’ and ‘unforgettable’.

Foreign Minister H.E. Dr. Kinga Goncz said that she was participating in the book release function in many capacities including as a daughter and as a Minister. She appreciated the role played by Indian Cd’A Mr. Rahman in keeping the Indian leadership informed. His role was crucial as, during those times, there was no electronic communication. She also added that Indian intervention on behalf of Hungary saved the lives of many including her own father.

The Book has been edited by noted Indologist Dr. Geza Bethlenfalvy and published by Argumentum Publishing House.

Hon’ble Minister Smt. Soni also held a meeting with her counterpart H.E. Dr. Istvan Hiller, Minister of Education & Culture when a bilateral Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) was signed between India-Hungary [for the period 2007-10]. The CEP covers cooperation in the fields of art and culture, youth affairs & sports and mass media.

To coincide with Hon’ble Minister Smt Soni’s visit, the Embassy organized classical dance performances of two of India’s eminent dancers, Smt. Madhavi Mudgal and Smt. Alarmel Valli in Budapest on 22 Oct 06 and several other cities of Hungary.

India’s relations with Hungary have been close and friendly, multi-faceted and substantive. Both countries commemorated the 50th year of establishment of diplomatic relations in 1998. Hungary has been and will remain an important partner in Central Europe for India. The cultural relations between India and Hungary are excellent and have a history which goes back hundred years. Hon’ble Minister Smt Soni’s visit has contributed to the further strengthening and development of India-Hungary cooperation, particularly in the field of culture.

Following documents are attached:

· Written message from H.E.Dr.Laszlo Solyom, read out by Ambassador Andras Gulyas; unofficial translation into English.

· Message from the President of India Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam; in Hindi, English and Hungarian.

· Speech of Minster Smt Ambika Soni delivered at the Book Release function; in English and in Hungarian.

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