Mango Diplomacy And Mithila-Thai Relation

Mango Diplomacy And Mithila-Thai Relation
–Mythology of Mithila

Beginning:

Thailand is known as the “Venice of the East” and the “Land of a Thousand Smiles.” This saying is experienced and thoroughly demonstrated by the first visit to Bangkok while on the Thai Airlines International aircraft with the manifestation of the air hostages’ smiles and politeness. A smile represents light. A grin, like light, is also transgressed all over the earth. Thailand is widely considered a Buddhist country, although it has long honored Hinduism. The title Rama has been used as a prefix to the names of the monarchs (1968), Raja Ram V (1868-1910), Raja Ram VI (1910-1925), Raja Ram VII (1925-1934), Raja Ram VIII (1934-1946), and Raja Ram IX (1946), who is the current Thai king Bhumibol Adulyadez. Aside from that, there is a province known as Ayutthaya that is linked to the capital Bangkok, and the name of one of the capital city’s main roadways is named after this province. The most common Thai Ramayan is called Rama Kian.

This demonstrates that the Hindu faith has been practiced in Thailand since time immemorial. This is something that needs to be looked at more. In the same vein of restoring tradition, the current monarch, Bhumibol Adulyadej, is interested in Lord Ram’s father-in-land laws of Janakpur, Mithila’s historic capital city, and the Maithili culture. His Majesty has gotten literature on Maithili culture from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal to see Lumbini and Janakpur develop on the same basis. Mother Janaki was born in Janakpur, and the Light of Asia was born in Lumbini. His Majesty was also interested in Babua Hanuman’s photograph, although he died many years ago. It would not be incorrect to say that the Maithili culture is centered on mangoes. Mithilanchal’s culture is infused with the flavor of mangoes. Maithili culture is represented by mango, butter, fish, and betel nuts. Even these valuable commodities, according to popular belief in Mithilanchal, are not available in heaven. Mangoes are a favorite fruit of world-renowned poet Rabindranath Tagore.

According to him, if he did not have numerous opportunities to consume mangoes that year, he considered it a waste of time. The significance of mango has long been recognized in the cultural sphere of Mithilanchal. Mangoes are thought to be the best gift to exchange during mango season. It is regarded as a divine presence for a newlywed couple. Even if gold, silver, and diamonds were given, they would be considered useless until mangoes were also given. Whether before or after marriage, if mangoes are not exchanged as gifts during the mango season, the couple’s marital relationship will suffer. This amazing gift is critical in bridging a friendly bond. Similarly, it is critical in maintaining a cordial and amicable connection between two nations. Even though there remained animosity between Pakistan and India after the split. Pakistan will not forget to send its best and most delectable mangoes to India, and India would reciprocate. Even now, mango diplomacy has played a good and essential role in enhancing the two countries relationship. “Pakistan has sent its yearly traditional gift of mangoes to India’s President and Prime Minister, an official said on Monday,” I’d like to quote. “Five cartons of mangoes were presented to Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee’s official residence on Sunday,” a Pakistan High Commission official in New Delhi stated. Another five cartons of the fruit were to be given to Indian President A.PJ. Abdul Kalam later on Monday by Pakistan’s President Pervez Musharraf, he said. According to accounts, the crates traveled from Karachi via Dubai and arrived in New Delhi on Friday. The mangoes had arrived, according to an Indian official. The person stated, “We have five cartons that will be given to the president.”

The Himalayan Times Daily August 12, 2003.

Many in Bangkok are now interested in the Janakpur mangoes, which have unique smells. His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand mentions two types of Mithila mangoes in his book “‘The Mahajanaka Story’ which is interesting. In this book, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej mentions two Mithila mango trees. One of the trees bears fruit, whilst the other does not. Sudhindra Sharma, a Nepalese scholar, writes: “Thailand’s King Bhumibol was listening to a lecture about King Mahajanaka, as described in the Jataka, in 1972. A specific incident involving King Janak’s visit to the royal garden at Mithila affected His Majesty, King Bhumibol.” As a result of being moved by this incident, he authored The Tale of Mahajanaka. Sudhindra Sharma: The Nepali Times, August 15-21, 2003. Thais, young and old, are equally interested in Janakpur mangoes. Some young people have expressed a desire to visit Janakpur. As a result, the current Thai Ambassador, H.E. Mrs. Phenchome Incharoensak, and the General Manager of the Thai Airways International Public Company in Nepal, Mr. Viroj Sirihorachai, have visited Janakpur and studied the potential of Janakpur as a pilgrimage destination.

Sudhindra Sharma further writes:
“After hearing this religious talk 25 years ago, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej felt that the story demonstrated a valuable lesson that may benefit everyone.” He began working on the book and penned the tale with some changes. Concerning the original story from the scriptures, to make it more relevant to modern times, and to convey some of his themes about attracting Thai tourists to Janakpur. In this regard, His Majesty the King dispatched his princess as a cultural ambassador to Janakpur a few years ago. Furthermore, His Majesty’s government of Nepal had presented ten mango seedlings that had been planted on the premises of Chitralada Palace, demonstrating His Majesty’s deep profundity and love not only for Nepal but also, particularly, for Mithila. His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej had previously ordered and read books on Maithili culture published in English, demonstrating His Majesty’s profound passion for Mithila. During a banquet hosted by the current Thai ambassador, this writer was informed that His Majesty has read all of the books about Maithili culture produced by other countries.  This author’s four English-language publications about Maithili culture are among those read by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The ambassador also recalls that five months prior, when Thai Ambassadors were newly assigned to nine countries, His Majesty arranged a Royal audience for the Thai Ambassador allocated to Nepal and gave Her Excellency special instructions to visit Janakpur. In accordance with His Majesty’s noble thinking, the current Thai ambassador conducted a visit to Janakpur after presenting her credentials to His Majesty the King of the Kingdom of Nepal. She visited several cultural places in Janakpur and collected materials deemed required. She not only discusses the images of the cultural sites captured by her camera but also displays them.

The Thai people have a special interest in the mangoes of Mithilanchal because the essence of the mangoes found here is of a special nature. Interest in mangoes has been shown not only by His Majesty King of Thailand but also by each Thai national, which is only natural given the abundance of mangoes in Thailand. His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s mention of the two fabled mango trees in his book has sparked interest not only in Bangkok but throughout Thailand. Individuals of all ages, from young to elderly, are interested in learning more about this unique tree. As a result, H.E. Ambassador had a personal discussion on this subject with officials from Nepal’s Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation. Following diplomatic etiquette, H.E. Ambassador went to the Nepal Tourism Board to collect publication leaflets and brochures on Janakpur. H.E. Ambassador revealed her identity only when she ran out of supplies. After revealing her name, she was given ample papers in which she demonstrated her interest in Janakpur. It is a happy coincidence that His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, i.e. G. Shah, the current King of Nepal, is a vibrant lyricist, whilst the Thai king is a known novelist and lyricist. His Majesty has several lyrical albums to his name. The current Thai ambassador is attempting to develop a political and cultural bridge between the two Kingdoms, which is admirable. Similarly, mango diplomacy, like economic diplomacy, plays an important function.

P.S.-
The article discusses the cultural connections between Thailand and Mithilanchal, particularly regarding the importance of mangoes in both regions. The Thai king has shown interest in the Maithili culture and has even written a book that mentions two mythological mango trees from Mithilanchal. The Thai ambassador has visited Janakpur to explore its potential as a place of pilgrimage and cultural exchange. The article also highlights the role of mango diplomacy in improving relations between countries, as seen in the exchange of mangoes between Pakistan and India. Overall, the article emphasizes the importance of cultural connections and the potential for diplomacy through shared cultural interests.