The Hindu : New Delhi News : Bonding with new friends

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 14, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

Bonding with new friends

CULTURAL EXCHANGE: Some of the students who visited the Russian Federation performing at the Russian Cultural Centre in New Delhi on Tuesday. — Photo: V. Sudershan

The "laal topi" Russi might have changed a bit from the black-and-white era of Raj Kapoor, but his Hindustani "dil" still seems to reign supreme. From Hindi-speaking children to John Abraham on screen savers, it was a trip to "desi" Russia that a bunch of students from DAV Public School, Gurgaon, Kulachi Hansraj and Delhi Public School R.K. Puram and their teachers along with five members of Nehru Bal Samiti will never forget.

"Russia was beautiful. We were staying in school No.18 there. The schools in Russia don't have names; they just have numbers. It was really a good experience. The school we were staying in had Hindi as a language. The kids could speak some Hindi and they welcomed us with a big picture of the Taj Mahal,'' said Sangeeta Mishra, a teacher who accompanied the children, at a welcome function held at the Russian Cultural Centre in Delhi on Tuesday.

Travelling to Russia on a cultural exchange programme, they found that while English might have been a problem for most children, the power of Bollywood that still looms large has ensured that Hindi wasn't. The legends of the old world might still be really popular with the words of songs like "Eena Meena Deeka'' on the lips of most kids, but even the new stars of the tinsel town have found favour.

"We found that people had more respect for Indian culture in Russia than they have in India. We were treated like royalty. They had screen savers of Bipasha and John. They were so warm and so affectionate that we really felt special. The boys also really noticed our dances,'' said Darshana, a student with a big smile.

Bonding with new friends and finding common interest, they found that being separated by distance certainly doesn't make a difference in relationships. "The children made a lot of friends. Some of them got so close that they were crying when they separated. We found that each school has a speciality there. They also have their own museum that focuses on something unique from sports to history and even art,'' remarked Ms. Mishra. -- Mandira Nayar

-- Mandira Nayar

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