Shanghai Diaries: India Showcases Culture, Commerce and Community Ties
GG News Bureau
Shanghai, 14th Sept: Hindi Diwas 2025 was celebrated at Britannica International School—mainland China’s first international school to introduce Hindi classes. Students, diaspora and friends of India recited Hindi poems, essays and Sanskrit shlokas, reflecting India’s living linguistic heritage. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message—“Hindi unites and fosters belongingness”—resonated throughout the event.
Ganesh Chaturthi Festivities
Consul General (CG) Pratik Mathur joined the Marathi Mandal Utsav-2025 for Ganesh Chaturthi. Hundreds of Indian diaspora members and local guests participated in the Ganesha puja, Visarjan rituals and a cultural programme showcasing Maharashtra’s vibrant traditions.
Tea Diplomacy in Jing’an
Mathur met tea experts Wan Ling and James Grayland at the Wan Ling Tea House near the Jing’an Temple. The couple will represent China at the 8th India International Tea Convention 2025 in Kochi. Grayland, a global tea ambassador, had earlier visited Assam for India’s tea bicentennial celebrations.
Tesla Gigafactory Visit
Highlighting India’s electric vehicle opportunities, the CG toured the Tesla Shanghai Gigafactory, viewed the production line and experienced the Cybertruck, underlining India’s emergence as a major EV market.
Onam Celebrations in Yiwu
The Consul General joined Onam 2025 festivities with the Indian community in Yiwu. Pookalam decorations, cultural performances and the traditional Sadya feast showcased Kerala’s harvest festival. Mathur extended greetings in Malayalam and lauded the Malayali community’s role in international trade.
Blood Donation Drive
Shanghai’s 11th Annual Blood Donation Drive, themed Bridging Cultures, Saving Lives, demonstrated the Indian diaspora’s strong commitment to local health initiatives, making Indians one of the largest expatriate donor groups in China.
Strengthening Global Partnerships
Mathur met David Gosset, Chairman of DG2CI, to discuss India’s central place in global supply chains and sustainable growth.
He also congratulated Dr. Ahmad bin Hassen Al-Hammadi, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry Secretary General, at the inauguration of Qatar’s new Consulate, and held an impromptu IBSA meeting with Brazilian and South African counterparts.
European Business Engagement
At the European Chamber of Commerce’s 25th anniversary, European multinationals praised India’s open, trusted and transparent supply chains, highlighting the nation as the “world’s fastest-growing major economy.”
Furniture China 2025
India’s craftsmanship stood out at Furniture China 2025, with strong participation from Jodhpur’s solid wood and Moradabad’s metal clusters.
Mathur encouraged global buyers to attend the IHGF Delhi Fair in October, India’s flagship sourcing platform for furniture and handicrafts.
