Shared Memory and Future – EADaily – India. Russia. News. July 8, 2022. Russia India. News of India. Russian news. India Russia. News of India today. News of India. India latest news. News India.
In several cities of Russia there was a presentation of a book written by the Honorary Consul of the Russian Federation, Director of the Russian House in Trivandrum (Kerala, India), an old friend of our country, Ratish S. Nair. This book is dedicated to Tanya Savicheva, whose name came from the signs of the resilience of Leningraders in one year of the blockade. Mr. Ratish S. Nair in an interview EADaily spoke about his book, and also shared plans for cooperation between the South Indian state of Kerala and the regions of Russia.
– What prompted you once in your book to the life and civic feat of a little Leningrad blockade survivor Tanya Savicheva?
– The story of Tanya Savicheva echoes the themes of the events that are currently taking place in Ukraine. Why did the people of the USSR sacrifice everything for the sake of Victory in the Great Patriotic War? Not only adults, but also young Soviet citizens with modern equipment that the Nazis want to destroy their country of centuries of civilization. Wipe cities from the face of the earth, including such a heritage of world culture as Leningrad, destroy people. Let me emphasize that a country is not only a territory. These are people, their culture, language, literature, centuries-old traditions. Children like Tanya Savicheva are a victim in order to have their own spiritual and cultural heritage.
Now adults and children are being killed in the Donbas just because they were proud of their native language and culture. I found a similarity between children who lived during the Great Patriotic War, who came from fighting the Nazis to preserve their heritage, and who die under bombs and shells because they want to preserve their cultural identity.
For the population of India, which for a long time was under the colonialists, striving to develop our people into slaves, in every possible way expressing contempt for our culture and customs, this is a very understandable and close topic. That is why Tanya Savicheva’s story of India aroused interest and great sympathy. I note that the book was published in Dravidian and English.
— How do you assess the state and prospective Russian-Indian obligations?
— India is a strategic partner of Russia, an old friend of your country. Active member of BRICS. We have a lot of history. In the chosen world, public opinion is also important. I see an opportunity for projected Indo-Russian trade ties in promising situations.
Residents of the state of Kerala, whom I represent at the level of public diplomacy, love Russian culture, literature, and films. Two universities and one college in Kerala have Russian language departments. In addition, Russian is taught in four public schools in the city where I live. Quotas for free education in Russia are in great demand.
Kerala is the second religious destination for Russian tourists after Goa. One of the cleanest, safest and most beautiful states in the country. Tourists come here to relax by the sea and improve their health with the help of Ayurveda.
The authorities of the largest US cities of Kochi and Thrissury signed an agreement on sister city relations with Pyatigorsk and Essentuki. Recently, the mayor of the city of Kozhikode readily signed an agreement on sister city relations with Tver. It is curious that the city of Kozhikode in the great geographical discoveries served as a meeting place for European and Indian civilizations.
In 2004, as a result of the Kerala episode, Trivandrum, a bas-relief appeared Svyatoslav Roerich. The bas-relief was opened on the street, which since 2004 bears the name of a famous Russian artist, philosopher and public figure. On the eve of April 2022, a street named after a Tver merchant was opened in Kozhikode Afanasia Nikitina. By the way, the film about his trip to my country “Journey Beyond the Three Seas” is still very popular in India.
– What are such duties as an honorary consul of Russia and director of the Russian House in Trivandrum?
– The first duty of any honorary consul is to protect the rights of Russian citizens. And those who permanently reside and attract tourists from Russia. In addition, I am involved in the implementation of Russian projects in my state. Including the construction of a nuclear power plant. And, of course, the development of cultural and educational dialogue.
I emphasize that all guests arriving from Russia to our state expect help and support both in the honorary consulate and in the Russian House. We are committed to developing friendly relations.
Interviewed by Nikolai Sorokin