Tributes were paid at an event in India this week to doctor Dwarkanath Kotnis, the physician who sacrificed his life while serving in China during the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1931-45).

Participants noted that the doctor supported China's resistance against Japanese fascism and saved many Chinese lives through his medical work, carrying the torch of humanitarianism, anti-imperialism, and internationalism.

On Dec 9, Dr Dwarkanath Kotnis Memorial Committee in India held an event in West Bengal state to commemorate the 83rd anniversary of the passing of Kotnis in 1942, hailing him as a beacon of Sino-Indian friendship.

More than 100 people were present at the event, including Mrigendranath Gantait, president of the committee, and Pallab Sengupta, president of the World Peace Council.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

Gantait said the committee will actively cultivate and practice this spirit and contribute more to India-China friendship.

Chinese Consul General in Kolkata Xu Wei delivered a speech at the event. He said that when the Chinese nation was suffering from the aggression of Japanese militarism, Kotnis came to China and saved countless lives with outstanding skill and courage, demonstrating a love beyond borders and race, and charting an inspiring story of China and India standing together against fascism.

China will never forget the international friends who helped it fight against aggression, Xu said. The Chinese Consulate General in Kolkata will continue working with friends across eastern India to carry forward the spirit of Kotnis, strengthen people-to-people bonds, and promote steady and sound growth of bilateral relations, he said.

At the event, Xu, on behalf of the consulate, donated acupuncture supplies to the committee, to spread the benefits of acupuncture among more people in India.

vivienxu@chinadailyapac.com