The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today attended the Friends of India event, which featured performances of Indian art forms (classical and folk dances) by Russian artists. The event showcased the popularity of Indian cultural traditions in Russia and its importance of Inter-cultural understanding. The programme commenced with a Shloka recital and a creative rendering of VandeMataram, followed by continuing sequence of brief Kuchipudi, Kathak and DandiyaRaas. The programme then had all artistes coming on stage for a musical enactment of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s poem “GeetNayaGataHoon.”
Speaking on the occasion the Prime Minister complimented the performers, and especially appreciated the performance of Sati Kazanova, whom he described as a Russian citizen hailing from a Muslim family; a pop singer who could chant Vedic mantras so well.
The Prime Minister said that it is a matter of pride that so many people in Russia express their fondness for India’s cultural heritage.
The Prime Minister greeted people on Eid-ul-Milad and Christmas, and added that tomorrow was also the birthday of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
The Prime Minister said that a great effort has been made consistently in Russia to appreciate Indian culture. He noted that International Yoga Day was celebrated in over 200 places in Russia.
The Prime Minister spoke about the old trade and scholarly ties between the two countries, and said Russia has stood by India through thick and thin. He said Russia helped us when we faced war, and the Indian jawans were victorious.
He said this was a relationship of strength, but the strength was the strength of friendship. Even in international fora, he added, Russia had always supported India.
The Prime Minister motivated Indian students studying in Russia, to encourage Russians to visit India for tourism.
He said today India is being praised globally for its economic performance. The world was looking at India with hope, and investors were confident of investing in the country. He said this investment would build world class infrastructure in India and also generate jobs for students. He said the world now looked at India not just as a market, but as a potential manufacturing hub.
The Prime Minister described his visit to Russia as immensely successful, and said his talks with President Putin had been extremely successful.
Few things connect like culture. Amazing atmosphere at the programme. pic.twitter.com/Z6TNpO3c3Q
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 24, 2015
Atal ji's poem 'Geet Naya Gata Hoon' in the voice of @mangeshkarlata. https://t.co/goVCIiwd4T
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 24, 2015
So many people here have not been to India yet they have a lot of affection towards India: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 24, 2015
We are very proud that several people in Russia have so much warmth towards India: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 24, 2015
I congratulate the Russian artistes who performed here this evening: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 24, 2015
Heard the chanting of Vedic Mantras here and I am told the singer who recited the Mantras is a very famous pop singer in Russia: PM
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 24, 2015
I greet everyone on Eid-e-Milad. I wish you all on Christmas. Tomorrow we also mark the birthday of Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee: PM
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 24, 2015
India-Russia ties are very deep. Political relations, trade relations is one thing. Our ties go beyond that: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 24, 2015
I met Indologists and they spoke to me in Hindi. They shared that they teach India's history: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 24, 2015
Several places across Russia marked 'International Day of Yoga' on 21st June: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 24, 2015
Russia has always stood with India. This is friendship, it is not merely about give and take: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 24, 2015
Those who saw India only as a market are now seeing India as a manufacturing hub: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 24, 2015
Yes we also face problems but we are not those who will only cry about the problems. We are finding solutions to the problems we face: PM
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 24, 2015
