 "Prime Minister Narendra Modi met a special person in Kuwait, said – I am very happy, I had mentioned him in Man Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met a special person in Kuwait, said")
Kuwait City: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a visit to Kuwait. After 43 years, an Indian Prime Minister has set foot on the soil of Kuwait. Before him, Indira Gandhi went to Kuwait in 1981. Prime Minister Modi received a grand welcome in Kuwait. Meanwhile, he met two special people who were mentioned by PM Modi in his popular radio program ‘Mann Ki Baat’ in October. Their names are Abdullah al-Baron and Abdul Latif al-Nasef. He has translated Mahabharata and Ramayana into Arabic language. Sharing pictures of the meeting, PM Modi said that he is very happy to meet them.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met two Kuwaiti nationals here and appreciated their efforts to translate and publish important Indian texts Ramayana and Mahabharata in Arabic. Prime Minister Modi also autographed the copies of the Arabic versions of the two texts. Prime Minister Modi arrived in Kuwait on a two-day visit on December 21. Prime Minister Modi has arrived in Kuwait at the invitation of Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Emir of Kuwait. This is the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister to this Gulf country in 43 years. Earlier, the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi visited Kuwait in 1981.
Happy to share the pictures
In a post on social media platform X, PM Modi said, ‘I am happy to see the Arabic translations of Ramayana and Mahabharata. I appreciate the efforts of Abdullah al-Baron and Abdul Latif al-Nasef in translation and publication. This initiative of theirs highlights the popularity of Indian culture at the global level. He also shared some pictures of his meeting with Al-Baron and Al-Nasef. Al Baran translated both the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, while Al Nassef arranged for the publication in Arabic. This gave a wider audience of the Arab world an opportunity to connect with India’s rich cultural heritage.
I am happy to see Arabic translations of “Ramayan” and “Mahabharat”. I praise the efforts of Abdullah Al-Baron and Abdul Latif Al-Nisf in translating and publishing them. Their initiative highlights the popularity of Indian culture globally. pic.twitter.com/XQd7hMBj3u
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 21, 2024
Mention what has been done in the talk
During his monthly radio program ‘Mann Ki Baat’ in October, PM Modi highlighted their efforts and said that this work is not just a translation but a bridge between two great cultures. It is developing a new understanding of Indian literature in the Arab world. Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al-Sabah, First Deputy Prime Minister of Kuwait, warmly welcomed Prime Minister Modi on his arrival. Prime Minister Modi also met Mangal Sen Handa, a retired Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer living in Kuwait.
PM Modi wrote on Twitter, ’21 December 2024 afternoon in Kuwait, very happy to meet Mangal Sen Handa. I admire his contribution to India and his passion for India’s development. On Friday, Handa’s granddaughter Shreya Juneja requested Prime Minister Modi to meet her 101-year-old Nanaji, to which Modi said, ‘Absolutely!’ I am looking forward to meeting Mangal Sen Handa Ji in Kuwait today. Last year, PM Modi had sent a letter to Handa on his 100th birthday, appreciating his diplomatic contribution.
Great welcome
When PM Modi arrived in Kuwait, he was welcomed by the people of the NRI community living there. PM Modi said, ‘Their energy, love and unbreakable bond with India is truly inspiring. Grateful for their enthusiasm and proud of their contribution to strengthening the ties between our countries. The Prime Minister will also attend the opening ceremony of the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup here. India is one of Kuwait’s major trading partners and the Indian community is the largest expatriate community in Kuwait. Kuwait is one of India’s top trading partners with bilateral trade worth US$10.47 billion in FY 2023-24. Kuwait is India’s sixth largest supplier of crude oil, meeting three percent of the country’s energy needs.