SINGAPORE: India has said it is keen to learn from Singapore how it has developed modern technology and promoted cleanliness and tourism.
“We have much more to give back to the developed countries like Singapore in the form of rich heritage, our values and our traditions,” Minister of State for Culture and Tourism Mahesh Sharma told PTI after co-opening an exhibition of Buddhist art at a Singapore museum.
“We want to learn from Singapore the modern technology, the cleanliness and tourism (development),” he said, citing the example of Sentosa Island resort among others.
“Their expertise in developing the country is definitely exemplary. We want to learn the same. But we also want to give this world a lot more in the form of culture, values and traditions,” said Sharma, who co-opened the exhibition with Singapore’s Culture, Community and Youth Minister Lawrence Wong.
Sharma reiterated the “very close relationship” between India and Singapore, and highlighted India’s wish to share knowledge and teaching of Buddha.
The exhibition, “Treasures from Asia’s Oldest Museum”, has Buddha art from the Indian museum in Kolkata and is part of celebrating Singapore’s 50 years of independence and 50 years of diplomatic relations with India.
The exhibits at Singapore’s Asian Civilizations Museum are collaborated by the Kolkata museum, which is Asia’s oldest, and is sponsored by the Indian government.
The exhibits of over 80 sculpture and paintings traces Buddhist arts from the 2nd century BC, the Jataka stories or the past life stories of Buddha, scenes from the life of the Buddha, and symbols used to represent Buddhist concepts.
The sculptures include 1.2-metre-tall sandstone Standing Buddha from Sarnath, dating to the 5th Century, and a 10th-century carving from Nalanda of Queen Maya giving birth to the Buddha. -PTI
