News and Events LAUNCHING OF EVENTFUL LANDMARK YEAR OF RUSSIA IN INDIA

New Delhi, January 30, 2008: Participating in the first informal function launching the "Year of Russia in India", the Chief Guest, Mr. Oscar Fernandes, Hon'ble Minister of State for Labour and Employment (Independent Charge), Government of India, said that this eventful and landmark year provides a wonderful opportunity for the people of India to see and know more about Russia in India. The function, jointly organized by the Russian Centre of Science & Culture (RCSC) and Unity International Foundation (UIF), was held at the RCSC, 24-Ferozeshah Road, New Delhi, on January 31, 2008. Tracing the long and time-tested relation India has with Russia, the Minister pointed out that the strong edifice of friendship and cooperation laid by Jawaharlal Nehru and strengthened by Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi are growing by leaps and bounds under the united guidance and dynamic efforts of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and President Mr. Vladimir Putin.

Earlier, welcoming an elite gathering, Mr. Fyodor A. Rozovskiy, Director, RCSC, noted that the very fact that the declaration of "Year of Russia in India", to be followed by the "Year of India in Russia" next year, testifies to the significance attached to the special relations our two countries enjoy worth emulating for world nations to follow in international relations. He referred to the crucial importance of Russia being the Guest of Honour at the World Book Fair throwing open a wider forum for Indian publishers for active interaction, exchanges and other aspects.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. R. N. Anil, Secretary-General, Unity International Foundation, described the function as a curtain raiser to the series of cultural activities within the framework of the "Year of Russia in India" promoting people-to-people relations. He added that Unity International Foundation has the credit of becoming part of the first informal function in launching the momentous year going down in the history of Indo-Russian relations. He referred to the unprecedented Russian participation at the current World Book Fair, following by several mutually-beneficial programmes during the year.

The Guest of Honour, Mr. Andrei A. Sorokin, Minister-Counsellor, emphasized that the overall activities pertaining to cultural shows, film festivals, performances of dance and music, art, painting and photo exhibitions, circus, seminars, discussions, etc., spanning the current year will go a long way in constituting a major milestone in the great annals of Russia-India relations.

Hailing the sincere initiative and tremendous efforts taken by the RCSC in bringing to the greater focus of Indian people the cross-section of Russian heritage, culture and traditions through multifarious cultural activities and programmes during the year on the sidelines of the "Year of Russia in India", Dr. Bhisham Narayan Singh, Former Governor of Tamil Nadu, President, Unity International Foundation, hoped that this multi-dimensional Year with the solid backing of our two governments, and the support and encouragement of peoples of two countries, is going to be a glorious chapter in the history of Indo-Russian relations.