Foreign leaders or envoys uttering a short message in Hindi is not new, but it is still a rare sight.
Be it ex-US president Barack Obama reciting dialogue from DDLJ or Donald Trump’s faltering pronunciation of Swami Vivekanand, the Indian diaspora either gets a fond memory or relishes a moment of light ridicule.
AFP
Similarly, a Russian envoy to India evoked a cheerful reaction during this speech at the inaugural session of the Russian Culture Festival in Delhi.
To emphasise the India-Russia bilateral ties, the ambassador used a Hindi phrase to the audience’s delight.
#WATCH | There is a popular saying in India, “Dosti se zyada kuch bhi nahi hota”. A very precise characteristic of the trusted & friendly character of Russia-India strategic partnership: Russian Ambassador Denis Alipov at the Russian Culture festival inauguration in Delhi (21.11) pic.twitter.com/KPbPWJReE9
— ANI (@ANI) November 22, 2022
At the event, Denis Alipov underlined: “There’s a popular saying in India – ‘Dosti se zyada kuch bhi nahi hota’ (There’s nothing more important than friendship). The mission of the festival is to strengthen humanitarian ties through cultural events.”
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75 years of diplomatic relations
Alipov’s remark was made on Monday night during the Delhi event- meant to celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The envoy said he was resuming a tradition of reciprocal cultural festivals between the two countries after years of offline cultural exchange due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ANI reported.
“…This year we have brought to India three very prominent, famous groups and dance and song groups and this particular year’s festival will become a very colourful culmination of the 75th anniversary Russia-India diplomatic relations….” said the Russian ambassador.
Pandemic had disrupted the cultural exchange
Notably, the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic had disrupted the cultural exchange between the two nations. The diplomat addressed this halted exchange and said the tradition has been popular in both countries.
“..Over a week’s time, our Indian friends will enjoy a number of brilliant performances spread across the metropolitan cities of New Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata as a tribute to one of the most ancient civilisations on Earth. The festival will be the most colourful manifestation of the 75th anniversary of Russia and India of diplomatic relationship which we celebrate this year. There is a popular saying in India, ‘Dosti se zyada kuch bhi nahi hota’ (there is nothing more important than friendship…”, he added.
Festival to be observed till Nov 29
The Russian Culture Festival commenced on Monday and will be observed across Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai till November 29. Ensemble Lezginka’s performance, showcasing Russia’s distinctive folk art, marked the festival’s start.
Found on September 6, 1958, the dance group has graced 75 different countries till now, which has yielded them wins at 52 prestigious dance competitions.
The event is being managed by the federal state-funded cultural organisation Rosconcert in association with the Indian Ministry of External Affairs’ India Council for Cultural Relations and the Russian Ministry of Culture.
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