The Exhibition Leo Tolstoy and Mahatma Gandhi A Unique Legacy was inaugurated in the D.P. Dhar Hall of the Embassy of India, Moscow on 30 March 2015. Jawaharlal Nehru Culture Centre, Embassy of India, Moscow is co-organising the exhibition along with Ms. Lyudmila Sekachyova, Director of Mir Traditsy, a non-commercial socio-cultural organisation. The exhibition will remain on display in the Embassy till 5th April 2015 from 10:00 to 17:00. The exhibits at the exhibition include letters exchanged between Mahatma Gandhi and Leo Tolstoy during the period 1908-1910, their photos, banners and posters about their lives, craft and art items associated with the life of Mahatma Gandhi and reading material about Mahatma Gandhi and Leo Tolstoy.
The exhibition was inaugurated by Ambassador P.S. Raghavan, Ms. Elena Milovzorova, Deputy Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation & Co-Chair of India Russia Joint Working Group on Culture and Tourism; Mr. Iosif Kobzon, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Culture; Ms. Svetlana Butkova, Head of the Municipal District of Moscow Airport and representatives of Moscow City Duma and Tula Region.
In his address, Ambassador said that the exhibition is being held on the 100th year of return of Mahatma Gandhi to India from South Africa. He spoke of the influence of Leo Tolstoy on Mahatma Gandhi. Ambassador mentioned that other initiatives are being taken to bring the lives of Mahatma Gandhi and Leo Tolstoy to a larger audience such as a proposed documentary film on the two great men.
In his message for the exhibition, the Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation, Mr. Vladimir Medinsky mentioned that the correspondence of Leo Tolstoy and Mahatma Gandhi on non-violence is rightly called "instructions on morality" for the society. This exhibition promotes non-violent philosophy of these harbingers of peace for the improvement of both the society and individuals.
The guest speakers outlined the importance of values that Gandhi and Tolstoy stood for and spoke about the deep and friendly relations between India and Russia. In particular, Mr. Kobzon mentioned that the words of Gandhi and Tolstoy were significant during our times. Ms. Sekachyova, in her remarks, said that the exhibition was shown in number of regions of Russia when it was first held in 2009 and there are similar plans this time, too. She highlighted the importance of the exhibition, especially for the younger generation. The efforts of Ms. Sekachova in curating the exhibition were appreciated by the speakers.
The programme featured as short cultural presentation by the children of Katyusha Cultural Centre. At the end of the function, Ambassador felicitated the children with Discover India Kits and Indian sweets.
