Sao Paulo, Apr 14: President Pratibha Patil, on a state visit to Brazil, has said that India and Brazil were large democracies and had common historical bond in the form of Portuguese presence in Goa as well as in Brazil during the 17th and 18th centuries.

She said the emergence of the two countries as leading players in the global arena has been propelled by their large and qualified manpower resources, big land mass, vibrant trillion dollar economies, and the spirit of entrepreneurship that permeates our societies.

The President further said that the friendship between the two countries goes back in time and this is reflected in the food, linguistic vocabulary and the folk music traditions of both the nations. India and Brazil share folk traditions such as the stories of Panchatantra, and Poikal Kudhirai of Southern India and Boi-Bumba of Northern Brazil, she said and added that India philosophy has influenced Brazilian intellectual tradition and is reflected in the works of philosophers such as Farias Brito, poets Cruz e Souza and Cecilia Meireles.

She said that Sao Paulo is unique as it has the world’s only university of Yoga. The footprint of Yoga schools is visible all over Brazil. It is also interesting that two Brazilian floats participated in Goa’s Carnival this year depicting Portuguese exploration of Brazil.

In her written speech, she said, “I am also told that nearly 80 per cent of Brazilian cattle stock derives its origin from India’s Nellore variety, which is known in Brazil as Zebu. The year 2006 marked the 100th anniversary of the import of first cow from India into North-East Brazil.”

“I understand that the Indian community in Brazil, though limited in numbers, has done well. Sao Paulo remains the favourite destination of the Indian community. I appreciate your contributions and I am happy that you have made India proud. You are not only our Ambassadors in a distant country but are also contributing to the building of bridges of understanding between the two countries,” she added. (ANI)