New Delhi, Feb 13 : Vice President Hamid Ansari released a book entitled ''China: a search for its soul, leaves from a Beijing diary'' authored by Poonam Suri here on Friday.

Speaking on the occasion, Ansari said Poonam stressed the need to study the societies, which have changed civilizations.

"I think what she does establish is the need to study societies. We need to study people. We do a great many studies like political studies, economic studies, history and things like that. But studying people, study the impulses that move the nation or a whole group of people is where I think we do not pay sufficient attention," said Ansari.

Ansari calls it a different book dealing with the spread of Buddhism in China against the contemporary present.

"I don''t think it is a book with a difference. It is written differently, but it holds a very strong message. I cannot comment about the more substantive aspects of the book except that it in a week which I have seen another aspect of Buddhist practice. The version of Buddhism in China, manner in which it traveled along is something that is educative," said Ansari.

Poonam Suri, also an economist, discovers more about China in her book to find inextricable links with an important neighbour India.

The book brings out the cultural and historical commonalities and differences between the people of the two countries.

"The Great Wall of China reportedly has one of the longest Sanskrit inscriptions in the world carved across one of its ancient doorways. The inscriptions mention Ashoka, Kublai Khan and descendants who strove for the happiness of all being. It was surprises such as these that prompted me to delve deeper and deeper into my search," said Poonam.

In recent years, India and China, despite their belligerent mutual histories, have reconciled to build diplomatic, military and economic ties. (ANI)