Diplomatist Magazine Diplomatist October 2019 | Page 25

SPECIAL REPORT
Centre in Moscow has been conducting classes
for the Hindi language, Indian dance forms,
etc. ICCR even provides scholarship to Russian
students for pursuing studies in India. Embassy
of India School in Moscow which is affi liated
to Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan in New Delhi
and has teachers deputed from India has been an
important promoter of Indian culture in Russia.
Interaction with Indian diaspora is a
government priority. Indian diaspora in Russia
and its organizations are one of the main sources
of showcasing Indian culture. Hindustani
Samaj (the oldest Indian organization in
Russia functioning since 1957), Indian
Business Alliance, Textile Business Alliance,
Russia Tamil Sangam, Moscow Durga Puja
Association, Overseas Bihar Association,
AMMA (All Moscow Malayalee Association),
DISHA (Indian-Russian Friendship Society),
Bhartiya Sanskritik Samaj, and Ramakrishna
Society Vedanta Centre, Moscow are some of
the non-governmental spaces for propagating
India’s soft power assets. In the recently
concluded 20th bilateral summit and 5th EEF
Meeting PM Modi was welcomed by the Indian
diaspora in Vladivostok. Modi has emphasized
that the professionalism of Indian diaspora help
bring rapid development in Russian Far East.
Russian scholars, Andrey A. Gruzdeva,
Anastasiya V. Konukhovab and Sergey A.
Podyapolskiy (2015: 1725-1727), noted three
images of India’s soft power: 1. a feminine image
“associated with oriental exotics – philosophical
and religious teachings and practices, music,
cinema, dance, cuisine, etc”; 2. masculine image
related to Mahatma Gandhi and his nonviolent
movement with elements of inner strength,
determination and independence, non-violent
resistance and multiethnic democracy; and 3.
Emerging image connected to “the development
of electronic technologies (Bangalore, etc.),
fashion, mass media and cinema (Bollywood)”.
In the 20th annual summit, India and Russia
decided “to continue the successful practice of
carrying out festivals of Russian culture in India
and Indian culture in Russia, as well as Russian
fi lm festivals in India and Indian fi lm festivals
in Russia. Both Sides welcomed that Russia will
be the Partner Country in the 50th International
Film Festival to be held in Goa on November
20-28, 2019.” Both sides exchanged agreement
on Cooperation in Audiovisual Co-production
(MEA 2019).
India’s arsenal of soft power tools include
diverse cultural resources like civilizational
credentials, Hinduism, Buddhism, Bollywood
cinema, sports, Ayurveda, cuisine, Diaspora,
Fine Arts (architecture, music, painting, poetry
and sculpture), Performing Arts (dance and
theatre) and Yoga. Generations of Russians have
danced to the tune of “Awara Hun” and Indians
exulted in the excellence of Anna Pavlova’s
art. Nicholai Roerich, a Russian painter, writer,
archaeologist and philosopher, chose India as
his home and left an everlasting cultural legacy
(Usha 2018).
Yoga has attracted the attention of a
large number of people ever since the Modi
government began popularizing it across the
world by celebrating 21st June as International
Yoga day. Indian Embassy annually celebrates
International Day of Yoga (IDY) in Russia by
involving several regions and a large number of
Yoga enthusiasts. Ayurvedic and Yoga clinics
are also being run by Indians in Moscow and
St. Petersburg.
Indian embassy’s celebration of India
Festival in Russia annually is a public occasion
to showcase India’s cultural assets, classical
dance forms and music such as Bharatanatyam,
Kathak, Hindustani, Carnatic music, etc.
India has tie-ups with prominent Russian
universities such as Russian State University
for Humanities (Moscow); Institute of Oriental
Studies (Moscow); Institute of Asian and
African Studies at the Moscow State University;
School of International Relations at the St.
Petersburg University; Far Eastern Federal
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist • Vol 7 • Issue 10 • October 2019, Noida • 25