"Reading books and falling in love with India": an Indian Corner opens at St Petersburg University

The core of the collection consists of books donated to the University by the Government of India. Apart from classical literature, such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, the collection features: works on political history; biographies of famous politicians, including Mahatma Gandhi; as well as the Bollywood film scripts and songs. 

Mr Kumar Gaurav, Consul General of the Republic of India in St Petersburg, thanked St Petersburg University for accepting the donation of books. He noted that the Indian Corner is an initiative of the Indian government, aimed at promoting the cultural wealth of India around the world.

St Petersburg University is celebrating its 300th anniversary. It is a milestone for all of us. The University is a strategic partner of India, as evidenced by the recent visit of the Minister of External Affairs of India to the University. This small gift is a token of respect and appreciation. By accepting these books, you have accepted India into your heart. I invite students to come to the Indian corner, explore the treasures hidden in these books, fall in love with India and become ambassadors for good neighbourly relations between our countries.

Mr Kumar Gaurav, Consul General of the Republic of India in St Petersburg

Marina Karpova, Director of the M. Gorky Scientific Library of St Petersburg University, confessed that the University academics have long let India in their hearts; in particular, through studying manuscripts and printed publications pertaining to Indian Studies. 

Marina Karpova said that the Indian Corner’s book collection also contains books from a small but unique book collection on India, which happened to have been assembled through patrons’ gifts. 

"The donation of books on India on behalf of the Government of the Republic of India testifies to the continuity of this marvellous tradition," shared Marina Karpova, Director of the M Gorky Scientific Library of St Petersburg University. 

Professor Alexey Rodionov, Senior Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Asian and African Studies at St Petersburg University, shared that it had been seven years since his personal journey to India.

India is worth visiting if only to get an absolutely unforgettable and fantastic experience. And now, St Petersburg University has a place where you can get in touch with the culture of India in book form.

Professor Alexey Rodionov, Senior Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Asian and African Studies at St Petersburg University

Professor Rodionov emphasised that the opening of the Indian Corner was one of the events planned within the framework of the Russia-India Year of Culture at St Petersburg University. Thus, the University orientalists launched an online course of Hindi for beginners on the National Open Education platform. There are currently plans underway to publish textbooks, translations of research literature and fiction pertaining to India by the Publishing House of St Petersburg University.

You can apply for the All-Russian Hindi Language Competition till 30 April.

Associate Professor Anna Chelnokova, Head of the Department of Indian Philology at St Petersburg University, spoke about the uniqueness of Russia-India relations. According to Anna Chelnokova, the history of relationships between these two undoubtedly great nations has not been overshadowed by serious tensions. Our countries enjoy a stable friendly relationship with each other. Anna Chelnokova also spoke about the history and traditions of Indology at St Petersburg University — the cradle of Russian Indology School.

The Indian Corner is the second amazing gift that St Petersburg University has received from the Republic of India this month. The first one is our dear colleague Professor Devendra Nath Tiwari. He is a guest lecturer from Banaras Hindu University, who came to St Petersburg University to share his unique and invaluable experience with us. Despite the cold weather and other challenges, he began teaching and imparting his knowledge to our students.

Associate Professor Anna Chelnokova, Head of the Department of Indian Philology at St Petersburg University

In response, Professor Devendra Nath Tiwari remarked that according to India’s vision of the world, the world is one big family. ‘Russia and India have a lot in common,’ Devendra Nath Tiwari said. "We all aspire to make this world a better place. This is the goal of our cooperation." 

Alena Kuznetsova, a teacher of the dance school at the Consulate General of India in St Petersburg and a leading dancer of the Mayuri Dance Group, performed a classical Indian dance kathak, which put the audience at the opening ceremony of the Indian Corner in a festive mood.