https://sputnikglobe.com/20250814/india-comes-to-moscow-celebrating-79-years-of-independence--78-years-of-diplomatic-relations-1122651738.html
India Comes to Moscow: Celebrating 79 Years of Independence & 78 Years of Diplomatic Relations
India Comes to Moscow: Celebrating 79 Years of Independence & 78 Years of Diplomatic Relations
Sputnik International
The 10th India Day Festival kicked off in Moscow on Thursday at the southern landscape park "Dream Island," a Sputnik correspondent reported. 14.08.2025, Sputnik International
2025-08-14T14:19+0000
2025-08-14T14:19+0000
2025-08-20T07:43+0000
world
india
moscow
world
russia
https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/08/10/1119791327_0:172:3029:1875_1920x0_80_0_0_abfdc6a6d03ca8472791ce7a7f0f042f.jpg
The festival is timed to coincide with India's 79th Independence Day and the 78th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with Russia. The key theme of this year's festival is the history of the preservation and enrichment of Indian heritage in Russia and the 80th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War. The festival will run until August 17. The festival will showcase the diversity of Indian culture to all guests, festival founder and president of the Indian National Cultural Center SITA Sammy Kotwani told Sputnik. In addition, the organizer noted that the festival reflects the friendship between Russia and India. He also mentioned that Indians took part in World War 2 and were fighting for the same goals as the Soviet people. Later in the day, Indian Ambassador to Russia Vinay Kumar, Head of Moscow's Department of Foreign Economic and International Relations Sergey Cheremin, Kotwani, as well as invited diplomats from various countries planted an apple tree as part of the festival. At the festival, guests will find tents with products from Indian manufacturers, clothing, and jewelry. There are also food areas where one can try traditional Indian cuisine and take part in cooking master classes. Several stages have been set up in the park, as well as areas for yoga and meditation. In addition to participating in practices, one can listen to lectures and seminars and learn about the diversity of Indian culture. Guests will also find a large mehndi area where they can have their bodies painted with henna, as well as have their tarot cards read and get answers to pressing questions about the future. The festival will take place at more than 25 venues, the organizers said. Among other things, there will be daily screenings of recognized masterpieces and new releases from Bollywood, a chess championship for children and adults, and dance and vocal performances. RIA Novosti is the general information partner of the festival.
moscow
world
russia
Sputnik International
feedback@sputniknews.com
+74956456601
MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“
2025
Sputnik International
feedback@sputniknews.com
+74956456601
MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“
News
en_EN
Sputnik International
feedback@sputniknews.com
+74956456601
MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“
Sputnik International
feedback@sputniknews.com
+74956456601
MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“
india, moscow, world, russia
india, moscow, world, russia
India Comes to Moscow: Celebrating 79 Years of Independence & 78 Years of Diplomatic Relations
14:19 GMT 14.08.2025 (Updated: 07:43 GMT 20.08.2025) The 10th India Day Festival kicked off in Moscow on Thursday at the southern landscape park "Dream Island," a Sputnik correspondent reported.
The festival is timed to coincide with India's 79th Independence Day and the 78th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with Russia. The key theme of this year's festival is the history of the preservation and enrichment of Indian heritage in Russia and the 80th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War. The festival will run until August 17.
The festival will showcase the diversity of Indian culture to all guests, festival founder and president of the Indian National Cultural Center SITA Sammy Kotwani told Sputnik.
"The whole event is about culture, and culture, and culture. My thinking is this event is, first of all, for all my pensioner friends who cannot travel or for any reason they are not able to travel ... Anyone who is not able to visit India should come to my festival. All my pensioner friends don't need to travel to India, so India comes to them," he said.
In addition, the organizer noted that the festival reflects the friendship between Russia and India. He also mentioned that Indians took part in World War 2 and were fighting for the same goals as the Soviet people.
"More than 2.5 million Indian soldiers were in the British army [during World War 2]. We were also fighting for the same goals, but from the other end, and we lost more than 69,000 soldiers. As this happened under the British colony ... the thing was forgotten very soon. But thanks to such events, where we have opportunity of remembering them," he added.
Later in the day, Indian Ambassador to Russia Vinay Kumar, Head of Moscow's Department of Foreign Economic and International Relations Sergey Cheremin, Kotwani, as well as invited diplomats from various countries planted an apple tree as part of the festival.
At the festival, guests will find tents with products from Indian manufacturers, clothing, and jewelry. There are also food areas where one can try traditional Indian cuisine and take part in cooking master classes.
Several stages have been set up in the park, as well as areas for yoga and meditation. In addition to participating in practices, one can listen to lectures and seminars and learn about the diversity of Indian culture. Guests will also find a large mehndi area where they can have their bodies painted with henna, as well as have their tarot cards read and get answers to pressing questions about the future.
The festival will take place at more than 25 venues, the organizers said. Among other things, there will be daily screenings of recognized masterpieces and new releases from Bollywood, a chess championship for children and adults, and dance and vocal performances.
RIA Novosti is the general information partner of the festival.
