Russia – India August Interactions: Highlights
15 August 2008, Moscow |
August began with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev conveying his condolences on 4 August to President Smt. Pratibha Patil and to Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh following the tragic death of more than 140 people in a stampede at the Naina Devi Temple in Bilaspur district.
Independence Day Wishes
On a more happier note, President Medvedev also sent congratulatory messages to Rashtrapatiji and to PM on the occasion of our 62nd Independence Day on 15th August. In his message President Medvedev referred to our multifaceted strategic partnership and expressed confidence in being able to provide a new impetus to our bilateral relations during his visit to India for the annual India-Russia Summit in December 2008. President Medvedev also expressed respect for our socio-economic achievements and for India’s balanced foreign policy aimed at establishing a democratic and a multi-polar world.
National Security Advisors visit
Prime Minister’s Special Envoy and National Security Advisor Shri M.K. Narayanan visited Moscow on 13 August, 2008. He called on President Medvedev, met Deputy PM Sergei Ivanov and had discussions with the Secretary of the Russian Security Council Mr. Nikolai Patrushev.
Ambassador’s Engagements
Ambassador Prabhat P Shukla had meetings with a wide range of senior Russian dignitaries including Mr. A.N. Borodavkin and Mr. S.A. Ryabkov, Russian Deputy Foreign Ministers. On the media side, he received Mr. Boris Notkin, Director of the Moscow TV Centre. On 12th August Ambassador Shukla gave an interview to the ‘India TV’ channel on the occasion of Indian Independence day, and the Rossiskaya Gazeta also carried Ambassador’ interview in a special twelve-page supplement it brought out on the occasion with the Embassy’s assistance.
Independence Day Celebrations
Independence Day celebrations at the Embassy this year witnessed an unprecedented high in the local Indian community’s participation. Ambassador unfurled the national tricolor at the ceremony marked with traditional gaiety and fervour, and read out the President’s Message to the Nation. Children from the Embassy School rendered patriotic songs to the delight of those present. A free screening of the sports-oriented patriotic film, ‘Chak De! India’ was organised on that day at the ‘Illuzion’ cinema theatre in Moscow for the Indian community.
Independence Day celebrations were also organised at Severodvinsk at the premises of the Russian ‘Sevmash’ enterprise. 35 representatives of the Indian Navy presently based there and their families participated at the event, and Mr. A.N. Belyaev, the Mayor of Severodvinsk, and Mr. N.Y. Kalistratov, Director General of ‘Sevmash’ graced the occasion and delivered speeches.
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Ethnolife, a Moscow-based cultural organization, organized a day of cultural programmes at Park Muzeon in Moscow on 16 August, dedicated to the celebration of India’s Independence Day. Director, Jawaharlal Nehru Cultural Centre (JNCC), Director General of Park Muzeon and the Head of Ethnolife participated in the function, and a statue of Mahatma Gandhi was garlanded in the premises. JNCC artists participated at an Indian classical music performance in the evening which was attended by over a 1000 people. Ethnolife’s celebration of India’s Independence Day was also held in St. Petersburg on 23 August in which JNCC dance students performed. Mrs. Radhika Lokesh, the Consul General of India in St. Petersburg attended the function. Please do have a look at the pictures of these colourful events on this website!
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There was considerable action on the military-technical cooperation front during the month. The Indo-Russian Joint Venture BrahMos Aerospace took part in the Third International Exhibition of Weapons and Military Equipment organized in Moscow. The 8th meeting of the two Working Groups of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission (IRIGC) on Military Technical Cooperation (MTC) and on Shipbuilding, Aviation and Land Systems (SALS) were held in New Delhi on 18-19 August. Major issues discussed in the meetings related to the production of Russian weapon systems and platforms in India, and acquisition of and service support to the Russian equipment used by the Indian Armed Forces.
India in Russian Media
The Russian media kept up its coverage on India-related subjects, and also reported India’s participation in the ‘Red Flag 2008’ exercises held at the US Air Force Base in Nellis, Nevada during the month. Air Force units from the United states, France, India and South Korea took part. The Indian Air Force participated in the exercise for the first time, and Russian-supplied SU-30 aircraft were used by the Indian Air Force in the exercise, with IL-78 tankers in active support roles. The IL-76 aircraft undertook tactical transport operations and force-engagement operations.
Indian Dance performance
On the cultural side, the ‘Association of Indian Dance Performers of Moscow’ presented its Closing Concert of the 2007-08 season at the DP Dhar Hall in the Embassy on 29 August. The concert featured performances by the best students of Indian classical dances taught by Indian Dance Performers in Moscow. The two-hour long event started with the traditional Lamp Lighting by Ambassador Prabhat P. Shukla, and Padma Shri Mr. Gennadi Pechnikov, the well-known Russian artist (who has been presenting the Ramayana on Russian stages for many years) and Ms. Vitalina Lobach, Odissi dancer, participated at the function. Students of groups such as ‘Saraswati’ (Bharatnatyam), ‘Odissi Jivan Nritya’ (Odissi), ‘Natya Rekha’ (Bharatnatyam), ‘Tarang’ (Kathak), ‘Nritya Sabha’ (Bharatnatyam), ‘Aarti’, and ‘Chakkar’ (Kathak) performed, and Indian dance groups ‘Amrapali’ and ‘Kalakar’ from Tver presented performances of popular Bollywood dance sequences. The event provided an excellent testimony to the popularity of Indian dance in Russia.
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India Celebrates 62nd Independence Day
15 August 2008, New Delhi, India |
The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh saluting the Tricolour flag after unfurling at the ramparts of Red Fort, on the occasion of 62nd Independence Day, in Delhi on August 15, 2008. |
On 15th August, India celebrated 62 years of Independence. The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, addressed the Nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort. Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said that it has been the sincere endeavour of our Government to keep each of our promises. Full text
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Prime Minister’s attends 15th SAARC Summit
02 August 2008, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh with other head of state and Government of SAARC Countries during the 15th SAARC Summit, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, was on two day official visit to Sri Lanka to attend the 15th SAARC Summit being hosted by Sri Lanka.
In a statement the Prime Minister said that in the 23 years since SAARC was established, the South Asian region has traversed a long distance. Today, there is a realization amongst SAARC countries that it is only by cooperating within SAARC that we will be able to strengthen ourselves individually and as a region and address the many common challenges that face us. During his visit, he also had discussions His Excellency President Mahinda Rajapakse on India’s relations with Sri Lanka and the other leaders of the SAARC countries.
Speech full text
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Address to the nation by the president of India
Dear Fellow Citizens,
On the eve of our 62nd Independence Day, I extend my warmest greetings to all of you, living in India and abroad. I also extend a special word of gratitude to the brave personnel of the Armed Forces and Para-military forces who guard our frontiers.
Tomorrow, as we celebrate our freedom, we will pay homage to our great national leaders, valiant freedom fighters - both men and women - who made many sacrifices, including of their lives to liberate India from colonial rule. Tomorrow is an occasion to recall that under the inspiring leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, our freedom struggle was fought and won on the noble principles of truth and non-violence, making it a unique movement in the history of nations. As inheritors of such a great legacy, we must uphold these high values.
At the time of independence, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru spoke about India as a rising star, the star of freedom in the East. He reminded us that freedom would bring responsibilities and burdens, and that we must face them in the spirit of a free and disciplined people. Due to our efforts and perseverance, we have many achievements to our credit but there are several tasks that await completion and new challenges that need to be addressed. A nation's work never ends. In fact, we must work ceaselessly to advance our common destiny of a strong democratic India that is economically vibrant and modern, but yet rooted in its age old values of harmony, tolerance and mutual respect. One should never forget that these are the values that make us emotionally strong and hold our country together. We may still have a long way to go to eradicate poverty, disease and illiteracy but other countries in the world respect India because of these values.
Speech full text |
Prime Minister’s address to the Nation
“My dear countrymen, brothers, sisters and my dear children, Greetings to all of you on this happy occasion of our Independence Day.
This is a sacred day for every Indian. Today we remember the sacrifice of those who under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi fought for our freedom from foreign rule. Today we remember the hard work and dedication of all those who have toiled to build a free and modern India. And we re-dedicate ourselves to that cause.We remember our farmers, our workers and our teachers. We remember our soldiers - who defend our borders in snowy mountains, in deserts, in jungles, on the shores and in the oceans.
Brothers and Sisters,
Four years ago, on this day, I stood here before you and spoke to you about our Government’s new vision for a new India.I said to you that it is our desire to build an India that is just and humane; an India that treats all its citizens as equals; an India that is prosperous; an India that lives in peace; an India in which everyone can find work suited to his or her talent and can work for his or her brighter future.An India that is secular, that is fair and just to all its people. An India united in its diversity. It has been our sincere endeavour to work for the building of such an India.
Brothers and Sisters,
Four years ago I stood here and said to you that I have no promises to make, but I have promises to keep.
Speech Full text |
Prime Minister congratulates Abhinav Bindra on winning Olympic Gold Medal
The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has congratulated, Shri Abhinav Bindra for winning the Gold Medal in the Men's 10-Metre Air Rifle Event at the Beijing Olympic Games today. In his message to Shri Bindra, the Prime Minister has said, "I join the nation in congratulating you on winning a gold medal in the 10 metre Air Rifle event at the Olympic Games. This is the first individual gold medal won by our country and you have done the nation proud through this spectacular achievement. I hope that this feat will inspire you and other sportspersons of our country to achieve the highest levels of excellence in the international arena.”
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