Culture unites people across frontiers: Chief Minister Ibobi
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, December 14 2013 :
Chief Minister Okram Ibobi has said culture is a vital element of human civilization that unites people across the frontiers.
He was speaking as Chief Guest of the inaugural function of a week-long programme on "Culture for Friendship and Cooperation" jointly organized by Manipur Film Development Corporation (MFDC) and Russian Centre for Science and Culture, Kolkata at the Multipurpose Auditorium of MFDC, Palace Compound here today.
Ibobi further said "Indo-Russian relation is a long standing and time tested relationship of friendship and cooperation.
India-Russia relation in the field of culture is historical.
Prominent Russian painter and philosopher Nicholas Roerich was influenced by the philosophy of Ram Krishna Paramahangsa and Swami Vivekananda, the poetry of Ravindranath Tagore and Bhagavad Gita.
His 130th birth anniversary was celebrated in India during October 2004" .
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"Notable Russian Indologists Eugene Chelyshev and Gury Marchuk were awarded the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship by the Government of India.
It is quite interesting to learn that there is a Department of Hindi language at the University of Moscow.
Apart from these, we all know the popularity of Russian ballet, circus and cinema in India, and the popularity of Indian dance, music, films and theatre in Russia", the Chief Minister noted.
He maintained that culture unites people across frontiers.
The culture of each country in the world is the wealth of the entire mankind.
It should be protected, preserved and strengthened for the benefit of all people.
Ibobi also expressed optimism that the week-long programme would help in strengthening the age-old relationship of friendship and cooperation between India and Russia.
The inaugural function was also attended by former Art and Culture Minister Dr M Nara as President, while Consul General of Russian Federation, Kolkata Irina K Bashkirova and Director of Russian Centre for Science and Culture, Kolkata Alexander V Mazirka attended as Special Guests.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Nara said that Russia, right from its existence as the Soviet Union, has been rendering tremendous assistances to India in developing missile technology and other defence equipments.
Moreover, the two countries are also rendering mutual cooperation in terms of education and culture.
Many Manipuri students have done their higher studies in Russia and they are now holding important government offices in the State, he noted.
Many Manipuris and Russians have also participated in various cultural exchange programmes held both in their countries.
India and Russia need to build up better relations with the changing global socioeconomic and political scenario, the former Minister enjoined.
Consul General of the Russian Federation, Kolkata Irina K Bashkirova said that the week-long programme on "Culture for Friendship and Cooperation" would bring a kind of rejuvenation to the longstanding friendly ties between India and Russia.
The week-long programme would feature dance, music, theatre, film shows, literary event, lectures and opening of Russian language class.
Two Russian documentary films namely "Sochi-Da" and "Poems On Ice" along with a Manipuri feature film "Nangna Kappa Pakchade" were screened during the inaugural function.