(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners in India participated in the 26th Kochi International Book Festival (KIBF) in Kerala held from December 1 – 10, 2023. KIBF is the largest fair in Kerala and India’s most renowned literary event, connecting readers of various ages and backgrounds with writers, publishers and book sellers in India and internationally.
Practitioners demonstrated the Falun Dafa exercises on the central stage in KIBF on December 9, 2023.
The scope of this year’s fair was huge, attracting around 100,000 attendees. This is the second time that Falun Dafa practitioners have taken part in the event. They used the opportunity to introduce the mind and body practice and its main books to fair attendees. Zhuan Falun and Falun Gong, Falun Dafa’s two main books which were translated into the local language Malayalam, were displayed and sold at the event. It was also the first time the books were available to the public.
Many people purchased Dafa books and signed up for online classes.
“I Hope More People Will Know About Falun Dafa”
Mr. P.J. Sunny is an assistant professor of philosophy at the Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit in Kerala. He previously published many articles in various journals and conducted workshops. He is currently engaged in a research project for the Indian Council of Social Sciences.
Mr. P.J. Sunny, an assistant professor of philosophy
Mr. Sunny said that he had previously heard of Falun Dafa, and wanted to find out more during the event. Practitioners told him about Falun Dafa and the persecution in China.
Mr. Sunny expressed sympathy for the plight of practitioners in China. He said, “I am constantly learning. I am seriously looking into issues that Communism has brought into our world.”
He also noticed the books Nine Commentaries on the Chinese Communist Party and How the Specter of Communism Is Ruling Our World. Practitioners gave him a copy of the Nine Commentaries. Sunny hopes more people will know about Falun Dafa and the persecution. He said, “I wish all the best for your efforts.”
I Pray That Everyone Follows Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance
Devan, a medical representative from Cherthala, learned about Falun Dafa for the first time at the book festival. He listened as practitioners described Falun Dafa and how the practice guides people to follow the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance in their lives. He said happily, “Falun Dafa teaches us to cultivate truthfulness in people, which is good.”
Devan, a medical representative from Cherthala, agreed with the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance taught by Falun Dafa.
When he learned that Falun Dafa is persecuted in China, Devan was not surprised. He knew that the CCP encroached on people’s rights and said, “Many acts against human rights are happening in China, which the outside world doesn’t know.” “The CCP does not allow religious or organizational activities. If someone does this, they will be arrested, imprisoned for long periods of time or even killed.”
Devan also pointed out that the CCP does not allow for any ideology outside communism, “One can only survive in China by doing as the regime tells you.”
Before leaving, he thanked practitioners for telling him about Falun Dafa. He wished practitioners success, “I hope everyone will know what Falun Dafa is. I pray that everyone follows Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance.”
Political Figures Support Falun Dafa
Besides the book festival, the 7th Kochi Literary Festival was also held at the same venue from December 6 – 10. Thinkers from different fields held debates on contemporary problems and attracted artists, historians, scientists, politicians, poets, journalists and others.
Sreejit Panikar (second left) learned about the persecution of Falun Dafa.
Sreejit Panikar is a political analyst, TV news debater, researcher, writer and social critic from Kerala. He has been a commentator for a major media outlet in Kerala for years.
He came to the practitioners’ booth to get more information about Falun Dafa and cultivation. Practitioners told him about the 24 year long persecution in China. He said that the CCP always treats people brutally. This refreshed his understanding of the brutal nature of the regime.
Panikar already had a digital copy of How the Specter of Communism Is Ruling Our World. He said he will refer to it in the future to learn more .
Politicians K.V. Thomas (second on right) and C.G. Rajagopal (first on right) talked to practitioners and expressed their support for Falun Dafa.
Two politicians from Ernakulam district, K.V. Thomas and C.G. Rajagopal, came to the Falun Dafa booth and expressed support for the practice.
Recognition from the Local Media and Community
Radio Kochi interviewed practitioners and broadcast a report about Falun Dafa.
Radio Kochi interviewed Falun Dafa practitioners during the book festival.
People were interested in learning Falun Dafa and asked practitioners for information.
Many people who attended the book fair said that they were searching for books on spirituality. They were delighted to find that Falun Dafa books were translated into Malayalam. Some people learned the Falun Dafa exercises online and came to the fair to learn the exercises in person.
On December 9, practitioners demonstrated the five sets of exercises on the central stage, and many people said the exercises were great.
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