31/03/2009 - Statement by Dr. Karan Singh, President, Indian Council For Cultural Relations ICCR

on the occasion of the Inauguration of the Year of India in Russia,

Moscow at the New Stage, Bolshoi Theatre, 31 March 2009

H.E. Mr. Alexander Zhukov Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation,

Dear Friends, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dobri Vechar Dorogiye Druzya.

It is my pleasure and my privilege to be here with you tonight at the Inauguration of the Festival of India in Moscow. I would like to express my special thanks to H.E. Mr. Alexander Zhukov, the Deputy Prime Minister of Russia and my co-Chair of the National Organising Committees for the India-Russia Years, for being here with me to welcome all of you to what I hope will be a scintillating and enthralling experience. The Year of Russia in India opened in Delhi in February 2008 in the presence of Former Prime Minister Mr.Victor Zubkov and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The Closing Ceremony took place in December in the august presence of the Presidents of our two countries. The Year was a resounding success; we welcomed with open arms our friends from Russia - political leaders, artists, academicians, scientists, businessmen and entrepreneurs who traveled to India to participate in various events at different fora. The Indian audience was delighted at this opportunity to enjoy the best of what Russia had to offer, including the exquisite Faberge exhibition. It is now our turn to showcase India for you, and I am certain that the Russian people will equally appreciate and enjoy the myriad facets of Indian culture and civilization.

2. This Year of India in Russia is being celebrated after a hiatus of over two decades; the last such festival was held twenty-two years ago in 1987. That is why we decided to call the Inaugural Event tonight "Aadita", the Beginning. This really would be the commencement not simply of the Year of India but also of the Russian people’s re-acquaintance with an old friend. Our friendship has not only survived the phenomenal changes and challenges of the 20^th and 21^st Centuries, but has emerged stronger and more vibrant from the experience. Our objective in the course of this Year is, therefore, not merely to present to our Russian friends the finest traditions of India’s rich and unique cultural repertoire, but also to portray the dynamism of the new India – the largest democracy in the world, brimming with confidence and resonating to economic and technological success – a country with ancient cultural mores but an increasingly modern outlook, a country proud of its traditions yet eager to embrace the future, a country characterised by unity and diversity, spirituality and economic acumen, ancient wisdom and technical prowess.

3. Indo-Russian friendship goes back a long way, and has continued to develop steadily. We share a commonality of interests and a convergence of approaches to key international issues, and the promotion of strong ties with Russia remains one of the priorities of Indian foreign policy. Our political, economic, strategic and scientific ties have certainly been the backbone of our relations, but so has the mutual interest in each other’s cultures. Who can discount the contribution of the Tolstoy and Dostoevsky, and the Swan Lake ballet to the enhancement of our understanding and appreciation of each other? I recall that on my first visit to Russia way back in 1961, my wife and I had the great privilege of watching Maiya Plesetskaya dancing the Swan Lake in the Bolshoi Theatre.

4.The Year of India has been visualised not just as a cultural extravaganza, but as a complete experience that will include trade fairs, scientific workshops, seminars, conferences, film festivals, food festivals and fashion shows, thereby offering a kaleidoscopic view of India and what it means to be Indian in the emerging world order. These festivities will, I am confident, reinforce the resonance of friendship and good feelings that have already been generated by the Year of Russia in India. The Opening event being staged at this magnificent New Stage of the Bolshoi Theatre encapsulates six major classical dance forms of India, in one of which Russian dancers are also participating, bracketed by the rendition of two different kinds of music - an enchanting classical piece played on the Indian flute and contemporary music by a popular jazz band that blends classical and modern styles. I am sure that when you witness the performance tonight, and participate in this collective artistic experience, it will resonate with you for a long time.

5. What better way for me to end than by quoting the immortal Leo Tolstoy who believed that, "All people live, not by reason of any care they have for themselves, but by the love for them that is in other people". I, too, am convinced that the love and affection that our artistes generate in you tonight will make India live in your hearts forever – just as Russia will forever occupy a special place in the heart of every Indian. Thank you all, once again, for being with us tonight. Enjoy the evening, as well as the coming months that will bring India to your doorstep.

6. I would like to express my gratitude for the Order of Friendship awarded to me earlier today.