'India, China can work hand-in-hand in changing global times'

Chinese premier Wen Jiabao today awarded nine people, including CPI(M) Politbureau member Sitaram Yechury, with a China-India Friendship award saying the two countries should work ‘hand-in-hand’ in changing global and economic times.

The awards were given for their contribution to promoting India-China friendship and understanding. The awardees belonged to various fields like business, academics and media.

Besides Yechury, others who received the awards were Tan Chung, G Viswanathan, G Banerjee, M Mohanty, S Chakrabarty, Bhaskaran, Sherdill and Pallavi Aiyar.

The Chinese Premier also recalled the contributions made by Fa Hian, who travelled across China to spread Buddhism, Dwarakanath Kotnis who rendered medical services during the national liberation movement of China and Mahatma Gandhi, who fought for the freedom of India.

Karan Singh refuses award
Apparently wary of being seen as pro-China, senior Congress leader Karan Singh today refused to accept the China-India Friendship Award conferred by Premier Wen on personalities from various fields.

Singh, a Rajya Sabha member and President of Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR), did not turn up for the award function this evening. Sources said Singh turned down the award as he felt a Parliamentarian should not accept such decorations, as he runs the risk of being seen as favouring one particular country.