Moscow (Russia):
How all began:
“A Non Residents of India Club (NRI Club)” was established in Moscow a couple of years ago with the aim of helping Indians living in Russia and also to honour “Civilian Order” to the Non Resident Indians who have been exploring the means of strengthening the social, scientific and cultural relations between Russia and India. Founder and President of the NRI Club is Mr. Devadathan Nair, Journalist, Editor, Moscow.
Few words by the organisers about why the programme “Civilian Order of Afanasy Nikitin” was organised:
* The pioneer Afanasy Nikitinsymbolizes Russia’s earliest peaceful encounter with India. His spirit of exploration, mutual respect and cultural exchange perfectly embodies the Order’s goals.
* Civilian Nature: We emphasize that this award “Civilian Order of Afanasy Nikitin” is a public/civilian initiative by the community of Indian compatriots (NRI Club) in Moscow, who are deeply invested in the prosperity of India-Russia relations.
* And so has been established the ‘AFANASY NIKITIN Order’ to recognize and encourage individuals of civil society activists, Political scientists, Indologists, Russophiles from India, entrepreneurs, cultural figures, educators, volunteers, who work tirelessly and often solely on enthusiasm without due public acknowledgement, to strengthen India-Russia relations.
* Although politics, money, and power are more valued in our world today, the award “Civilian Order of Afanasy Nikitin”, established by the community of Indian compatriots in Russia, serves as a symbol of establishing ties between India and Russia based on trust, respect and honesty.
* We feel that their invaluable contribution deserves public recognition and encouragement symbolism of Afanasy Nikitin.
* The ceremony was organised for the first time.
A brief History of Afanasy Nikitin
The 15th-century famous Russian merchant and traveler, Afanasy Nikitin was from the city of Tver. He traveled to India between 1466 and 1474. He was one of the first Europeans to build a bridge between the great countries of Russia and India. One of the goals of his journey was to find an earthly paradise near the Indian peninsula, which was drawn in ancient maps. His courage and will, friendliness and respect for the people, and devotion to his religion was described by him in the book “Walking across Three Seas” and since then Russians began to learn about the culture, traditions and way of life of an unknown distant India through his book.
Awardees:
Award was given to those who carried out the above-mentioned mission and the Awardees were both Russians and Indians.
Sudha Didi was one of the few Indians awarded by “Civilian Order of Afanasy Nikitin”. The organisers liked to write her name as Sudha Devi instead of Sudha Rani Gupta.
Order was awarded by Ms. Ekaterina Valerievna Avdeeva, All-Russian Public Organization Delovaya Rossiya (Business Russia): Member of the General Council, Head of the Center of Expertise for Criminal and Legal Policy; Head of the working group on the preparation of the Administrative Code; Member of the Council for Financial, Industrial and Investment Policy of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation.
Among other Awardees:
Mgeladze Mikhail Mikhailovich , Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Kraeva Irina Arkadievna, Rector of Moscow State Linguistic University, Rozovsky Fyodor Alekseevich, Former Executive of International Humanitarian Cooperation Centre,”Russian House”, Decree of the President of the Russian Federation in 2008, Miroshnichenko Igor Vasilyevich, Rector of Omsk State Medical University, Blagonravova Anna Sergeevna, Rector of Perm State Medical University, Kurbatov Dmitry, Secretary of NRI Club, Russia, Analyst, Institute for International Studies, Moscow State Institute of International Relations University,
Dasha Kotwani, Director of the Indian National Cultural Centre “SITA”, Vinay Shukla, Journalist, Kashmir Singh, President of Hindustani Samaj, Kattar Singh, Public figure
Programme was presided by Mr. Nikhilesh Giri, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of India, Moscow
Video to the award ceremony:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RBEMngz7zJwT2MHG-Ke-vJFc-AE3BkgV/view?usp=drive_link
Photo link:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1bgPs0NE9drJh8fyDI1vTboTXF7aWpqo3?usp=sharing
