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Bihar Divas anniversary celebrated in Moscow
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IT-BPO, A Key Sector of Indian Economy
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02. Embassy Highlights
Bihar Divas anniversary celebrated in Moscow
The Overseas Bihar Association, Moscow, with the support of the Embassy of India, Moscow, celebrated the centenary of the Indian State of Bihar in Moscow on July 28, 2012. His Excellency Mr. Ajai Malhotra, Ambassador of India to the Russian Federation, was the Chief Guest on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Malhotra recalled Bihar’s illustrious history as a centre of learning and culture, its rich heritage as a land of religions, as well as the warm, traditional welcome that the people of Bihar are known to extend to guests. He congratulated the President of the Association, Shri. Anjani Kumar Das, and office bearers of the Overseas Bihar Association, Moscow, for their work in bringing together all members of the Indian community by organising such celebrations.
The highlight of the evening was a concert by popular playback singer Alka Yagnik, as also by Chetan Rana and Bhojpuri singer Devi Verma, besides dance performances by Russian dance troupes from Moscow and Tver, presentations about Bihar by children of the Embassy of India School, Moscow, etc. There were stalls offering a variety of Bihari delicacies, handicrafts such as Madhubani and Mithila paintings, and numerous other attractions.
Prizes were also presented by the Ambassador to the winners of various competitions conducted by the Association as part of the ‘Bihar Divas’ festivities.
On July 21, 2012, the Association with the support of the Jawaharlal Nehru Cultural Centre, Embassy of India, Moscow, organised 'Temptation' — an Indian Food Cooking Competition — among members of the Indian community in Moscow. Mrs. Ira Malhotra, wife of the Ambassador of India to the Russian Federation, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Click here for more photos
Indian designer collection showcased in Moscow
On July 20, 2012, ‘VASTU’, a shop exclusively offering Indian products in Moscow (Spiridonovka 24/1, Patriarchs Pond), showcased the latest women’s collection by the internationally renowned designers from India, Falguni and Shane Peacock, at the upscale ‘Prichal’ restaurant.
The ‘Falguni and Shane Peacock’ label is a fast growing brand for international fashionistas and was presented for the first time ever in Russia. The Ambassador of India, His Excellency Mr. Ajai Malhotra was the Chief Guest at the event. Click here for more photos
Ambassador inaugurates ICOSAL-10 Conference
The 10th International Conference on South Asian Languages & Literature (ICOSAL-10) was held at the Institute of Asian & African Studies, Moscow State University in Moscow from July 5 to 7, 2012. The Conference was organised jointly by the Moscow State University and Russian State University for the Humanities (RSUH), with the support of the Ministry of External Affairs (Hindi Division), Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), New Delhi, and the Embassy of India, Moscow. Scholars from Russia, the Indian sub-continent, USA, Canada, Japan and European countries, participated in ICOSAL-10.
His Excellency Mr. Ajai Malhotra, Ambassador of India to the Russian Federation, inaugurated ICOSAL-10 on July 5, 2012. He recalled that prominent universities in India and Russia took the initiative in 1997 to promote South Asian languages and literature and have since organised ICOSAL on a fairly regular basis.He congratulated ICOSAL on its 10th convocation and expressed happiness that it was being held this year in the context of the celebration of the 65th anniversary of India-Russia Diplomatic Relations. Ambassador Malhotra pointed out that more Indian literature, ancient and modern, has been translated into the Russian language, than any other foreign language.
He recalled the works of Russian Indologist and linguist Tatyana Elizarenkova, who had earned an international reputation for her study and translation of the Vedas, and Academician Yevgeniy Chelyshev, who’s book ‘Indian Literature: Yesterday and Today’ was published in 1989, and said these were the first efforts at creating an integrated history of Indian literature.
He estimated that over 1,500 Russian students and scholars are today studying Hindi across Russia, while significant numbers are pursuing the study of other Indian languages, such as Bengali, Tamil, and Telugu. He expressed satisfaction that this rich Indological and linguistical tradition, was again thriving in contemporary Russia. Ambassador Malhotra mentioned that a Chair of Contemporary Indian Studies had been recently established at the Russian State University for the Humanities, with financial support by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, New Delhi. He added that the establishment of similar Chairs in other prominent Russian universities was also being explored.
Specifying that the next World Hindi Conference takes place in South Africa in September 2012, he expressed the hope that ICOSAL-10 might contribute to the World Hindi Conference being hosted in Russia in the near future.
Ambassador Malhotra congratulated the distinguished scholars participating in ICOSAL-10 and expressed the hope that it would boost the study of the languages of South Asia and widen interest in South Asian literatures. He applauded Prof. Meyer, Prof. Zakharin, Dr. Khokhlova, Prof. Dubyanskiy, Prof. Serebrianniy, Dr. Stolyarov, Dr. Sterlkova, and their colleagues, for organising ICOSAL-10 and wished everyone useful deliberations.
Prof. Mikhail Meyer, Director, Institute of Asian & African Studies, Moscow State University, spoke of the great importance his Institute attaches to teaching Indian languages and literature, acknowledged the support of its efforts by the Embassy of India, Moscow, and thanked the Ambassador for inaugurating ICOSAL-10.Issues discussed at ICOSAL-10 included topics such as morphology, semantics and syntax of South Asian languages; languages verses dialects; problems of demarcation of related languages (like Hindi and Urdu); divergent development of languages in different countries; history of South Asian languages; history of various literatures of South Asia; patterns of appearance of new literary languages and new literatures; hermeneutics of literary analysis; literatures and religions; and problems of literary genres in the literature of South Asia. Ambassador Malhotra hosted a dinner-reception at the Embassy of India, Moscow, on July 6, 2012, in honour of the ICOSAL-10 delegates. Click here for more photos
Ambassador's visit to the Republic of Bashkortostan
The Ambassador of India to the Russian Federation, H.E. Mr. Ajai Malhotra, visited the Republic of Bashkortostan, Russian Federation, from June 27-30, 2012. He was accompanied by H.E. Mrs. Ira Malhotra and Mr. Sanjay Vedi, Deputy Director, JNCC, Moscow. Ambassador Malhotra met with H.E. Mr. Rustem Khamitov, President of the Republic of Bashkortostan, Russian Federation, at the Presidential Office in Ufa. Click here for more photos.
Both sides expressed satisfaction that India has long-standing and close ties with several institutions and organisations in Bashkortostan. Two way trade between Bashkortostan and India is presently US$ 250 million per annum and prospects for intensifying trade and economic cooperation in various fields was discussed, including in fields such as chemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles, consumer goods, metals, aircraft engines, and oil & gas. It was agreed that India would participate in the Third ‘Big Chemistry’ International Forum to be held in Ufa in May 2013. It was also agreed to further expand cooperation in culture and tourism and explore the opening of an Indian Cultural Centre in Ufa. Click here for more photos.
Ambassador Malhotra also met with H.E. Mr. Salavat Sagitov, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Bashkortostan, and Ms. Kamilya Davletova, the Acting Minister of Culture. Deputy Prime Minister Sagitov shared that Indian dance, music, yoga and films are very popular in the region. Both sides discussed the organisation of an Indian Film Festival in Ufa in September 2012. A set of Hindi movie DVDs was presented by Ambassador Malhotra for screening in Ufa.
Ambassador Malhotra visited the Ufa Engine Industrial Association (UMPO), which India has partnered since the mid 1960's. Ambassador Malhotra and UMPO General Director Mr. Alexander Artyukhov expressed satisfaction over the long standing cooperation between UMPO and HAL. India is the biggest buyer of aircraft engines from UMPO and its deliveries to India amounted to 34.2% of its total exports in 2011.
Ambassador Malhotra visited the Bashkortostan-India Friendship Society, at the Institute of Energy Resources Transportation Problems at Ufa. He also visited the Bashkortostan State Puppet Theater at Ufa — the only children's theater in Russia to win the Jawaharlal Nehru prize, which it received for performing the play "Indian Legend" based on the Ramayana. Click here for more photos.
In the context of Ambassador Malhotra's visit to Ufa, a Concert of Indian and Bashkir dance and music was also organized at the Bashkortostan National Youth Theatre at Ufa, with contributions by the Jawaharlal Nehru Cultural Centre, Moscow, which was graced by H. E. the Acting Minister of Culture of the Republic of Bashkortostan and other local dignitaries. Ambassador Malhotra also inaugurated a two-week long ICCR-sponsored exhibition, "Monuments of India" by Kashinath Das, at the Exhibition Hall in Ufa of the Union of Artists of Bashkortostan. Mrs. Ira Malhotra separately visited the Home for the Elderly & Invalids, Ufa, and made a contribution to it on behalf of the Indian Women's Association, Moscow.
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