The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : For Russia, with love and real hope

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Dec 03, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

For Russia, with love and real hope

Vani Doraisamy

“We are aiming to consolidate financial gains and political stability through polls”

— Photo: R. Ragu

EXERCISING FRANCHISE: Russians living in Chennai casting their votes for elections to the fifth State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, at the Russian Cultural Centre in Chennai on Sunday.

CHENNAI: Most Russians, who turned up at the Russian Cultural Centre here on Sunday for casting their votes for the fifth State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, or the parliamentary elections, had just one message for their Indian friends: “We have similar thoughts on our minds and a shared tradition of friendship, so let’s continue to grow together.”

“We are aiming to consolidate our financial gains and political stability through these polls, and continue our economic success on which our future will depend. Our GDP is growing at 8.9 per cent, a testimony that the future of the global economy rests with the BRIC countries. We are now looking to the future with open eyes and not just dreams, but real expectations,” Vladislav V. Antonyuk, Consul-General of the Russian Federation in southern India, told The Hindu in an exclusive interview after casting his vote.

The Consul General is organising the polls in various places in south India.

The results are expected on Monday and will be validated by a thorough check a week later.

Consular polling officials had earlier visited Koodankulam in Tirunelveli, Hyderabad, Vijayawada and Vishakapatnam, where Russian scientists and experts are engaged in various projects.

“Russians here are keen to participate in building a stable political structure through the polls. In Russia itself, a lot of structural changes have happened. After nearly a decade of economic instability, we are back on track. Good development now holds the key,” says Mr. Antonyuk.

Russia is “not so worried” about the proposed Indo-U.S. nuclear deal and “is not in a position to judge but wants to push forward our own bilateral relations. We want to be strategic partners, especially in science and technology.”

Asked about the positive atmosphere created by Prime Minster Manmohan Singh’s recent visit to Russia, the Consul-General said economic collaboration, more than political one, was the expected effect. “Politics, of necessity, is subordinate to economics. We are still very reliable partners.”

Cultural links

Cultural linkages are crucial. While 2008 will be the Year of Russia in India, 2009 will be the Year of India in Russia.

“We are planning visits by Russian musicians and dancers to south India, especially Tamil Nadu. Several academic symposia have also been planned along with institutions such as Anna University, Madras University and Osmania University.

A Russian film festival is also happening,” says Stanislav Simakov, Vice- Consul, Consulate General of Russia, and Director of the Russian Cultural Centre.

The Tamil Nadu Chess Association will organise tournaments in which Russian chess masters will participate.

For young Russians in Chennai, the interface is exciting. “Chennai is a happening, global city. and the educational and medical facilities here are excellent,” a young consular official remarked.

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