<p> Manorama Kotnis, the 94-year-old sister of Dr Dwarkanath Kotnis who is considered the symbol of Indo-Chinese friendship, has passed away after a brief illness.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Manorama Kotnis passed away at her residence in suburban Vile Parle last night, family sources said.<br /><br />In 2013, keeping alive the traditions of past Chinese leaders, visiting Premier Li Keqiang had an emotional audience with Manorama here.<br /><br />She was a professional nutritionist who had worked with the government.<br />Expressing his "great happiness" at the meeting, Li had then enquired after Manorama's health and said that all Chinese leaders make it a point to the visit the Kotnis family whenever they are in India.<br /><br />Li had gifted a MP4 player to Manorama, as he learnt that she loves to listen to music despite her failing hearing ability.<br /><br />He had informed the family that his country still remembers Dr Dwarkanath Kotnis and his help to the Chinese during the crises following the Japanese aggression during 1937-45.<br />Former Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde told PTI that Manorama had carried on the legacy of social work of her late brother.<br /><br />Interestingly, 2013 was the platinum jubilee of Kotnis' travelling with a medical team to China in September 1938 at the age of 28.<br /><br />Li had explained how Kotnis is still regarded as a strong symbol of Sino-Indian friendship and the manner in which China has honoured him by keeping alive his legend through different monuments and memorabilia.<br /><br />Among other things, China has honoured Kotnis with a Martyrs Memorial and a 1982 movie. Every Chinese head of state or government who visits Mumbai calls on the Kotnis family.<br /><br />In the past, the Kotnis family met with then premier Zhou En-Lai in 1950, followed by president Jiang Zemin in 1996, who sent flowers to them.<br /><br />In 2001, Premier Li Peng, Premier Zhu Rongji in 2002 and President Hu Jintao met the family in 2006.<br /><br />In 2012, Kotnis' second sister Vatsala expired and also his widow, Guo Qinglan, died at an advanced age in their respective countries, India and China.</p>
<p> Manorama Kotnis, the 94-year-old sister of Dr Dwarkanath Kotnis who is considered the symbol of Indo-Chinese friendship, has passed away after a brief illness.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Manorama Kotnis passed away at her residence in suburban Vile Parle last night, family sources said.<br /><br />In 2013, keeping alive the traditions of past Chinese leaders, visiting Premier Li Keqiang had an emotional audience with Manorama here.<br /><br />She was a professional nutritionist who had worked with the government.<br />Expressing his "great happiness" at the meeting, Li had then enquired after Manorama's health and said that all Chinese leaders make it a point to the visit the Kotnis family whenever they are in India.<br /><br />Li had gifted a MP4 player to Manorama, as he learnt that she loves to listen to music despite her failing hearing ability.<br /><br />He had informed the family that his country still remembers Dr Dwarkanath Kotnis and his help to the Chinese during the crises following the Japanese aggression during 1937-45.<br />Former Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde told PTI that Manorama had carried on the legacy of social work of her late brother.<br /><br />Interestingly, 2013 was the platinum jubilee of Kotnis' travelling with a medical team to China in September 1938 at the age of 28.<br /><br />Li had explained how Kotnis is still regarded as a strong symbol of Sino-Indian friendship and the manner in which China has honoured him by keeping alive his legend through different monuments and memorabilia.<br /><br />Among other things, China has honoured Kotnis with a Martyrs Memorial and a 1982 movie. Every Chinese head of state or government who visits Mumbai calls on the Kotnis family.<br /><br />In the past, the Kotnis family met with then premier Zhou En-Lai in 1950, followed by president Jiang Zemin in 1996, who sent flowers to them.<br /><br />In 2001, Premier Li Peng, Premier Zhu Rongji in 2002 and President Hu Jintao met the family in 2006.<br /><br />In 2012, Kotnis' second sister Vatsala expired and also his widow, Guo Qinglan, died at an advanced age in their respective countries, India and China.</p>