After the Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro took everyone by surprise with his rather unusual request-letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi where he invoked Ramayana and compared the Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) medicine to Sanjeevani Booti, the Brazilian Envoy to India Andre Aranha Correa do Lago has unearthed some new specifics about his President and his interest in Hinduism and in the “richness of Indian religious traditions”.
Speaking to WION, Andre said, “As you know the President fell in love with India during his visit and since then he is very interested in all things Indian. He was fascinated also by the fact that religion is so strong and so important in India,”
The relations between the two fast-developing nations are stronger than ever as the President was the Chief Guest on India’s 71st Republic day this year. It is when he came in contact with India’s rich tapestry of culture, tradition, and religion.
Calling both leaders “religious” and “traditional”, the envoy further added, “Another side is President Bolsonaro is a very religious man, so I believe that he was very much inspired by that and remembering both Modi and him are true believers and have very strong faith that is I believe he decided to put that quotation that shows although we have a different religion, in our religion, we have the profile and Ideas that are linked to the support that everyone has to give to each other in such crisis. Today is Hanuman Jayanti, all these signs are very very interesting.”
In the letter President Bolsonaro wrote to his Indian counterpart a day before yesterday, he cheekily invoked Ramayana and it struck all the right chords with Indians. “Just as Lord Hanuman brought the holy medicine from the Himalayas to save the life of Lord Rama’s brother Laksmana, and Jesus healed those who were sick and restored the sight to Bartimeu, India, and Brazil will overcome this global crisis by joining forces and sharing blessings for the sake of all peoples. Please accept, your Excellency, the assurances of my highest esteem and consideration,” read the unconventional letter.
The two Brazilian laboratories named EMS and Apsten –which import inputs for the production of this medicine in Brazil depend heavily on India. Presently India produces 20 crore tablets of HCQ per month to meet domestic and global demand. But with India banning the export last month in the wake of the pandemic, Brazil was hit badly.
India had temporarily banned the export of the drug on March 25 to stockpile for the domestic demand. But after the USA, Brazil and several other countries requested the wonder-medicine, India decided to lift the blanket ban on the export –on a “case by case” basis.
India has emerged as the savior of the world and every other country is looking up to it for the medicines and other reliefs. The Prime Minister’s response to these calls has been remarkable to observe. He has handled the situation with utmost grace and shown true statesmanship, whilst taking a lesson from the many-a teachings of the holy Ramayan.