Shri Saikat Kumar Basu:-Consul General of Japan in Kolkata,Honourable Mr NAKAGAWA Koichi San Ji presented a Certificate of Commendation to Prof Gita A Keeni, Head, Department of Japanese, Visva Bharati, Shantiniketan, (West Bengal). Heartwarming speeches by Honourable CG and Prof Keeni further enhances deepening of mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and India.   

On August 24, 2024, Consul General of Japan in Kolkata, Honourable Mr NAKAGAWA Koichi San Ji presented a Certificate of Commendation to Prof Gita A Keeni, Head, Department of Japanese, Visva Bharati, Shantiniketan.  

In recognition of her great contribution to the deepening of mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and India.   

On this momentous and wonderful occasion Consul General Prof Keeni obtained her Master’s degree from Tokyo Women’s Christian University in Japan in 1989, and then she came back to Shantiniketan to teach at Visva Bharati. It’s been 35 years since she started teaching Japanese at the university. She also produced several excellent translation, thesis and publications of her works into Bengali, after meticulous analysis and research.  

 Many of the students are studying Japanese language and culture proactively mentored by Prof Keeni.  

Also, many of her students are involved in Japan India relationship after graduation. Honourable Consul General of Japan recognizes that Prof Keeni has played a key role in connecting her students with Japan. The presentation ceremony was held at the Consulate General of Japan’s official residence in Kolkata in the afternoon of August 24, 2024, on the occasion of “Japan Month.” During this “Japan Month” period, a number of Japan related cultural activities are going to be held across India with the objective of advancing bilateral relations between Japan and India. “Certificate of Commendation” is one of the official award of Japan presented under the name of Consul General of Japan to an individual or group who has made significant contribution to the bilateral relationship between Japan and foreign countries by means such as fostering mutual understanding and promoting Japanese culture.   

Consul General of Japan in Kolkata Honourable Mr NAKAGAWA Koichi San Ji said on this momentous and wonderful occasion,” Professor Gita Keeni, Head, Department of Japanese, Visva Bharati Family members of Professor Gita Keeni Dear friends of Japan and media corps Distinguished Guests, Konnichiwa and good afternoon, Thank you for coming to my residence today out of your busy schedule. I see some of you including Professor Gita Keeni came to Kolkata all the way from Shantiniketan, and I’m truly honored and happy to welcome you all. As you are aware, I’m hosting this ceremony to present certificate of commendation to Gita Keeni sensei in the presence of her family members, colleagues and friends, and I would like to celebrate her achievement with you all together. I assumed the post of Consul General of Japan in Kolkata in May, 2022. Most important mission for me as Consul General is to facilitate people to people exchanges between Japan and India, including promotion of study in Japan. Soon after I arrived in Kolkata, I learned that Shantiniketan is the center of the Japanese language education in West Bengal and Gita Keeni sensei is one of the key persons I must work with.

In May last year, I had a chance to travel to Shantiniketan and visited Visva Bharati. Gita Keeni sensei kindly took me to various places of the university and I was able to interact with a number of students and professors. During this visit, I realized that many of the students are studying Japanese language and culture proactively mentored by Gita Keeni sensei. I was moved to know that she teaches Japanese culture together with the language. She believes that, in order to improve the language competency, we need to understand the culture of that language. Most of you know very well about Gita Keeni sensei, so I will be brief. She got her master’s degree from Tokyo Women’s Christian University in Japan in 1989, and then she came back to Shantiniketan to teach at Visva Bharati. It’s been 35 years since she started teaching Japanese at the university. She also engaged in translation of famous Japanese novels and papers into Bengali. 

Thanks to such efforts of Gita Keeni sensei, her students not only became a fan of Japan. Some of them also traveled to Japan to work or study more about Japan. Some are now teaching Japanese in India. I would say that many of her students are involved in Japan and India relationship after graduation, and Gita Keeni sensei has played a key role in connecting her students with Japan. Thanks to her efforts, we enjoy current cordial relationship with India. Therefore, as Consul General of Japan in Kolkata, I would like to present the Certificate of Commendation to Gita Keeni sensei, in recognizing her great contribution to the deepening of mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and India. Last but not the least, September and October this year has been designated as ‘Japan Month’ with the objective of advancing bilateral relations between Japan and India across multiple areas. Many events focusing on trade, investment, culture, people-to-people exchanges and other fields will be organized all over India. I’m happy to say that today’s ceremony has been registered as one of the ‘Japan Month’ event. So, ladies and gentlemen, with Gita Keeni sensei’s achievements, I strongly believe that she is truly a worthy recipient of the Consul General’s Commendation. Let us celebrate her achievements and look forward to her continued efforts for a bright future between our countries. Thank you so much

For more information, please contact: Cultural Section Consulate General of Japan in Kolkata Phone: 033-3507-6830(Office), 98-310-00443(Mobile) Email: japanconsulate.culture@cc.mofa.go.jp  

-Shri Saikat Kumar Basu is an Indo-Canadian Agricultural and Environmental Scientist.Shri Basu is also a writer and part time journalist.