News and Events /"DAY OF SLAVONIC SCRIPT AND CULTURE" MARKED

New Delhi, May 29, 2007: Speakers at a Seminar "India and Slavonic Culture: Retrospect and Prospects", dedicated to the "Day of Slavonic Script and Culture", jointly organized by the Russian Centre of Science & Culture (RCSC) and Indian Association of Teachers of Russian Language and Literature (INDAPRYAL), at the RCSC, 24, Ferozeshah Road, New Delhi, on May 28, 2007, described the creation of Slavonic script as a landmark event in the history of Russia and other Slavic nations, and focused on the significant aspects of ancient links between the Slavonic culture and India, duly recognized by scholars.

Welcoming an elite gathering of scholars, teachers, diplomats, and others, Deputy Director of the RCSC, Mr. Sergey P. Vanyukov, said that the Seminar is of historic dimension. Throwing light on the topic, he noted that the similarities found between the Slavonic and Indian languages and the affinity discovered in the culture and traditions of Slavic and Indian people denote a common heritage once shared by the ancestors of Slavs and that of Indo-Aryans. Tracing the background of ancient links between Russia and India, Mr. Vanyukov pointed out that knowledge of India reached Rus through books and direct contacts with the East and references to India are found in the earliest relics of ancient Russian literature.

Making his erudite observations, Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus to India, H.E. Mr. Oleg N. Laptenok, said that it has become a good tradition for all of us to get together on this momentous occasion to share our thoughts on the eventful history of inter-cultural relations between Slavonic nations and multi-ethnic India and exchange views on the prospective dialogue among our civilizations to further contribute to the development of mutually-beneficial relations among our countries.

Enlightening the audience, Prof. Abhai Maurya, Noted Scholar in Russian Language and Literature, said that the Slavonic nations have a very special cultural and historical experience in that respect, and the history of the creation of the Slavonic script is indeed amazing. He added that an important contributing factor in retaining the affinities found in the culture and traditions of Slavic and Indian people all through the past centuries is the fact that since the ancient times India has successfully managed a seamless continuity in the evolution of its cultural and religious traditions into modernity.

Sharing her impressions, well-known Hindi Poetess Ms. Anamika said that she experienced a remarkable contentment in the work undertaken on the translation of the noteworthy works by Anna Akhmatova. She recited some of the poetic verses in support of her statement.

In his presidential remarks, Prof. R. Kumar, Rector, Jawaharlal Nehru University, President, INDAPRYAL, acknowledged that the momentous deliberations have created some thought-provoking vibrations which have to be sustained on a permanent basis to the benefits of students of history.

Proposing a vote of thanks, Dr. Ranjana Saxena, General Secretary, INDAPRYAL, expressed her gratitude for the consistent efforts taken by the RCSC in organizing a seminar of socio-cultural magnitude and historical importance.