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KOLKATA, India, June 26 (Xinhua) -- For the first time in India, a Chinese Dragon Boat festival was held on Sunday in this eastern Indian metropolis, drawing large number of crowds other than the ethnic Chinese population from the old and new China town.
Inaugurating the festival, Consul General of China in Kolkata Ma Zhanwu said: "This festival, being the first ever in India, will usher in a new era of development and cooperation between India and China with more exchanges between the two historic countries."
The festival was organized by the Indian Chinese Association in the city with support from the consulate-general of China here. The dragon boat race was held in the lake in the southern part of the city and hosted by the Calcutta Rowing Club, the second oldest rowing club in the world and the oldest in Asia.
Thousands of people lined up on the shore of the lake and clapped their hands to watch the two batches of rowers compete with each other as they pulled the oars of the boats with small dragon cutouts.
On such a holiday afternoon, thousands of city's inhabitants turned up with their families, and the children were enthralled by artists from China Town who performed the dragon dance with Chinese drums and cymbals.
Visitors to the festival also enjoyed varieties of Chinese food catered by stalls set up by owners of restaurants at China Town.
Several senior leaders of the association who have been doing business in this famous city and reside at Tangra in the eastern part of the city were overjoyed and felt such festivals would bring the two countries together.
73-years-old Yingwah Chu who owns a leather factory said in fluent Bengali, the local tongue: "We have been here for four generations and felt isolated. We are very happy and this is a good sign."
Xie Ying Xing, former vice-president of the association and owner of Big Boss Restaurant at China Town, said: "We are thrilled with this festival being held in this city for the first time in India. We have received a lot of support from the Consulate-general of China. We hope to organize such festivals every year."
The relations between West Bengal and China has a long history, and more interactions will improve China's relations with this state of eastern India, said Consul Ma.
"This will continue and the consulate is ready to work and promote cooperation and friendship," he said.
Liu Fei, principal of Beijing Painting and Calligraphy School, and Feng Yingjie, vice chancellor of Beijing Tanzhou Art Academy, attracted much attention as they painted in front of the gathering who appreciated their work of art during the event.
Two British young women tourists, Remy Edwards from Cambridge and Grace Kampling from London, said they found the festival very "engrossing".
"We are working as volunteers to teach English at the China Town here. We find the community very friendly and family-oriented. We have never attended such a festival and are enjoying a lot," they said.
