From Red turf to Greener pastures
110 and going strong
How Russia set up its first mission in India in 1900
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Bollywood: Lights, camera, action! ph otoxpress
Can Russia cut down on oil, clean up its economy?
REPORT
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Russia India
...Marching towards a common future
Raj Kapoor still popular, Aishwarya Rai the new diva P.08
A Report from The Tmes of India. In association with Rossiyskaya Gazeta
Distributed with BANGALORE ● Mumbai ● New Delhi ● Wednesday, NOVEMBER 24, 2010
Wildlife India joins 12 other countries in a mission to save the tiger
The wild cat gone missing?
With barely 3,200 big cats left, the Tiger Summit in St. Petersburg endorsed a plan to double them by 2022. svetlana sorokina rir
continued on PAGE 4
A portrait of the First Lady of Yoga Russian-born Indra Devi introduced yoga to the Kremlin and Hollywood stars like Gloria Swanson. Yoga was once out of favour in the Soviet Union. People secretly passed around printed yoga manuals. When the first yoga book was finally published in 1992, Yoga for You (translated into Russian), few people knew that the author, Indra Devi, was of Russian descent and that her fascination with yoga began decades ago in the Tsarist Russia. Indra Devi, who mastered advanced yoga techniques in Mysore in India in the 1930s,
celebrated her 100th birthday in Buenos Aires on May 12, 1999. Over 3,000 guests came to celebrate and wish her good health. Her health, however, worsened in 2002; she could not even go to India where she wanted to spend her last days. ‘The First Lady ofYoga’, as she was popularly called, died on April 25, 2002 in Buenos Aires. Her body was cremated, according to the rites of her spiritual motherland, and her ashes were scattered over Rio de la Plata. Now, yoga has won a new following across Russia. continued on PAGE 7
OPINION
New 'great game' plays out on Asia-Pacific chessboard A new great game is shaping up in the Asia-Pacific region. The Russia-India-China (RIC) trilateral forum is perhaps unique as far as it aims to build trust among the trinity of emerging powers that hold the key to the evolving 21st century world order. The recent trilateral meeting of the foreign ministers of RIC in the Chinese city of Wuhan backed the UN reforms and stressed the need "to develop an open transparent inclusive and balanced security and cooperation architecture in the
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The recent death of a translocated tiger in Sariska in Rajasthan has put the spotlight on the urgent need to globally coordinate efforts to protect this endangered species - the subject of the three-day maiden global tiger summit held in St. Petersburg on November 21-24. The summit, that saw the participation from 13Tiger Range Countries (TRC), including India, set itself the target of doubling the population of the endangered animal from existing 3,200 in the wild by 2022. The summit was aimed at "empowering them to address the entire spectrum of threats, domestic as well as trans-boundary, and working towards increased sustainability through the integration of conservation objectives into development" and endorsed the Global Tiger Recovery Program (GTRP) to address issues posing threat to the predator. It was the last-ditch global effort to save the vanishing species. There are no more than 3,200 of these predators left in the world, whereas only a century ago there were 30 times as many, nearly 100,000. By the 1940s three subspecies of tiger had disappeared while a fourth subspecies, indigenous to southern China, has not been found in the wild in 25 years. Tigers now inhabit only 7% of the territory that was historically theirs. Tigers live in only 13 countries. The largest population is in India (1,400). In Russia there are 450-500. Amur tigers were last counted in 2005. Now they are being recounted.
Journey India was her spiritual home
Asia Pacific region.” The ASEAN’s decision to admit the US and Russia to the 16-nation East Asia Summit is another important development that will shape the geopolitics of the region. The unipolar moment is over; an exuberant multipolarity is rearticulating itself in the changing vocabulary of global power politics. In this intricate Asia-Pacific chessboard, Moscow, Beijing, New Delhi andWashington are set to play a delicate balancing game. PAGE 6: Opinion
Twice a month in two dailies Russia&India Business Report in
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in association with rossiyskaya gazeta, russia THE times of india wednesday_november 24_2010
www.rbcnews.com Business news en.rian.ru/business RIA Novosti newswire www.businessneweurope.eu Business magazine focusing on emerging European markets
Environment Medvedev sets target of making economy 40% more energy efficient by 2020
Unfurling green energy revolution to make economy competitive
The Russian government has launched an ambitious $300 billion plan that will reduce its dependence on oil and could spark a green energy revolution in the country.
Russia is getting into the hybrid car business. At the start of this year, multi-billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov said he would launch the mass production of inexpensive electric cars, with a project that has Putin’s personal backing. The first 3 prototypes of the $12,000 car are due to roll off the production line in December.
Rachel Morarjee business new europe
Every year, Russia wastes enough energy to power the French economy, but new evidence suggests that the Kremlin is determined to change its ways. The Russian government recently approved a $300 billion energy efficiency programme that will trim the fat from Soviet-era factories and buildings, signalling a green energy revolution in the making.“The political winds have changed at the top and there is a growing consensus that climate change is happening, and there is a will to change and build a more efficient economy,” said Kevin James of London-based investment adviser Climate Change Capital. He added that the raging forest fires of the summer have only sharpened the realisation about the need for more vigorous steps to combat global warming. Russia is the world’s biggest oil and gas producer and cheap, government-capped
domestic energy prices have sapped the motivation to conserve energy.That's why President Dmitry Medvedev has taken a tough line on the environment, supported by a report from the World Bank, which said that improving energy efficiency will improve the country’s productivity and competitiveness. Declaring the target of making the economy 40% more energy efficient by 2020, Medvedev has taken political initiatives to reduce Russia’s dependence
on oil, from phasing out the use of incandescent light bulbs that use more electricity than energy-efficient bulbs. Although Russia lags far behind China, the world’s leading manufacturer of wind turbines and solar panels, the government has announced plans to build eight plants that will produce energy-saving lamps. The first Russian solar plant, estimated at $99 million, will likely light up the North Caucasus resort city of Kislovodsk next year. More
solar and wind plants are in the pipeline. Rostovteploelektroproyekt, a Russian company specialising in the design of energy plants and equipment, is planning to develop wind and solar power worth $300 million in the Krasnodar region. The wind project could start as early as next year. Russian energy giant RusHydro has plans to build a windpower park in St Petersburg. Hydropower is another focus area. Italian energy giant ENEL and RusHydro signed a
pact in June to work on renewable power projects, including tidal and geothermal power projects, as well as in retail power sales. Biofuel development is making progress. In June, presidential economic adviser Arkady Dvorkovich said the government should support small energy-generating projects that use biofuel by giving them tax breaks and subsidised interest rates. Russia’s Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, too, has turned serious and has drafted a bill in August to promote recycling. Many NGOs have commended these laudable plans, but point out lacklustre delivery.“The government is not green and many policies are anti-environmental,” says Vladimir Chouprov of Greenpeace.
Energy $160 mn-solar power plant to produce upto 120 megawatt by 2011; high costs a deterrent
Here comes the sun, and it's going to burn brighter With some parts of Russia getting more exposure to sun rays than France and Spain, the country is bracing for ramping up solar power as an alternative source of energy. IRINA FILATOVA THE MOSCOW TIMES
Russia may be linked in people's minds more with long, dark winters than sundrenched days, but that has not stopped private companies from tapping into a growing market for solar energy. “There was an opinion that it’s better to use solar energy in countries where there’s a lot of
sun,”said Marat Zaks, chief executive of SolarWind, a Krasnodar-based solar panel manufacturer.“But the fact is that there’s a lot of sun in Russia as well. Germany is the world’s No. 1 solar energy consumer. But is Germany a sunny country,”he asked. Solar Wind produces panels mostly for export but hopes to see the domestic market grow. Many Russian private companies are creating joint ventures with Rusnano, the state technology corporation, to address local needs. Solar Wind is collaborating with Rusnano in a $160 million project in which it
will make double-sided solar panels, that harnesses solar energy from both sides, for domestic use. The plant, which may start working at the end of this year or in the first quarter of 2011, will have an annual manufacturing capacity of 30 megawatts at the start, and will eventually ramp up to 120 megawatts per year. Solar Wind’s domestic sales is much smaller compared with exports, said Zaks, adding that the company exports solar panels to more than 22 countries, including Germany, Britain and the US. Industry insiders said solar en-
ergy could become a real alternative to traditional energy in some regions.“The Krasnodar region and most parts of Siberia have insolation levels [average exposure to the sun’s rays] comparable to south of France and central Italy, where solar energy is booming, while the Zabaikalsky region gets more solar energy than Spain,”said Vasily Malakha of the Electricity and Energy Council of the Commonwealth of Independent States. The Krasnodar region woke up to solar energy after it launched an energy efficiency target programme in 2006.The roof of the central hospital in Ust-Labinsk, a town northeast of Krasnodar, is being covered by 300 solar panels. The installation will heat water for the hospital’s daily needs year-round, said Alexander Kiselyov, deputy chief doctor of the hospital.
The forbiddingly high cost of solar power station construction, however, could be a deterrent.The construction cost of a solar power station ranges from $10,000 to $17,000 per one kilowatt of installed capacity, said Malakha. A kilowatt of installed capacity at a nuclear power station costs upto $3,000 while the figure for a hydroelectric power station is just $1,000. Solar energy use has a future in Russia, but it should be used only in combination with other renewable energy s o u rc e s , s a i d B r i g i tt e Schmidt, a board member of Eurosolar Deutschland, the German division of the European Association for Renewable Energy. Solar energy has not become popular in Russia because of its focus on oil exports, she said from Germany.
News in brief Medvedev visit: India, Russia firm up agenda The high-level meeting to prepare for next month's summit between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev took place in New Delhi last week. "According to an expert evaluation, this year bilateral trade turnover will total $9.2-9.3 billion, and possibly even more," Russian Deputy PM Sergei Ivanov told journalists after a meeting of the joint intergovernmental commission. Ivanov also said Russia and India are highly likely to sign a fifth-generation fighter design contract in December. RIA Novosti
GLONASS signs agreement for traffic solutions The federal network operator NIS GLONASS signed a pact to establish a consortium with DIMTS (Delhi Integrated Multimodal Transit System), India, for participating in tenders to create Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) in Indian cities that will provide traffic monitoring solutions. An MoU was also signed with Kerala State Electronic Development Corporation Limited (KELTRON) and joint participation in state government tenders. RIA Novosti
More Indian students study Russian
AFP
Prof. Charanjit Singh, director of the Centre of Russian Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University, says 170 students are studying Russian at the centre, the highest since 1965.“There are 7-8 applicants for each place in the centre,” he said. The number of Russian applicants grew from 40 to 52. The fiveyear course teaches Russian literature, history and culture. ITAR-TASS
BOOKMARKS
RUSSIA INDIA REPORT
www.russiaconsulmumbai.mid.ru Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Mumbai www.russian-centre-mumbai.com/en The Cultural Centre of Russia, Mumbai
Diplomacy
IN ASSOCIATION WITH ROSSIYSKAYA GAZETA, RUSSIA THE TIMES OF INDIA WEDNESDAY_NOVEMBER 24_2010
2010 EMBASSY OF RUSSIA IN INDIA
1900
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A view of the Taj hotel in the early 20th century, where Russian diplomat Otto von Klemm started Russia's Mumbai consulate. The Taj Mahal Palace and Tower is back to business after the terror strike two years ago. A view of the the Consulate General's new building (right). AFP/EAST NEWS
ULLSTEIN BILD_VOSTOCK-PHOTO
Milestone Russian Consulate General in Mumbai celebrates 110th anniversary; President Medvedev to visit India in Dec
110 and going strong: A saga of time-tested friendship Russia's first Consul General in India sowed the seeds of Indo-Russian friendship in 1900, which have now blossomed into a thriving multi-faceted partnership. EMBASSY OF RUSSIA IN INDIA
ALEXANDER M. KADAKIN SPECIALLY FOR RIR
It was a truly auspicious day when in November 1900 Bombay (now Mumbai) saw the opening of the first Russian diplomatic mission in India, which was then temporarily located in the gorgeous historical building of the iconicTaj Mahal hotel.This event crowned more than three decades of efforts by Russia in opening of its official gateway to the largest country of South Asia. It is an apposite time to remember today the pioneer of Russian diplomacy in India, Otto (William Oskarovich) von Klemm, his selflessness and dedication which made this arduous task a success.At that time India was not yet an independent nation, but it was in those years that the foundation of Russian-Indian relationship was laid. As many documents testify, British officials acknowledged highly
Alexander Kadakin, Russia's ambassador to India
the professional background, intellectual sophistication, vast knowledge and erudition of the Russian diplomat, who by that time had already had wide experience of working in Central Asia – Bukhara,Tashkent, and Ashgabat. However, his skill in forging friendly contacts with representatives of various ranks of Indian society, made the British alert and even frightened. It is obvious from one of the confidential despatches which read that Otto von Klemm “had a real taste for oriental languages and life, it would be difficult to replace him and, in addition
it would be a hardship to remove him”. Undoubtedly, von Klemm was a man of mission. Even personal tragedies like the death of his little son did not affect his personal commitment for the diplomatic service. Although the first Russian diplomatic mission operated in Bombay for quite a short period and after 10 years was shifted to Calcutta,it was instrumental in striking the first Russian-Indian acquaintances and in forging trade and scientific contacts.While colonial authorities viewed von Klemm’s activities with great suspicion, the Russian diplomat was esteemed highly by the Bombay elite. It is no secret that Klemm attended rather risky meetings and even forged friendship with iconic freedom fighters like Bal Gangadhar Tilak. The official visit to India of the Russian Emperor’s cousin, Grand Duke Boris Vladimirovich Romanov in 1902, during von Klemm’s tenure, was a milestone of sorts. The Grand Duke’s trip across the country (besides Bombay, he visited Baroda, Jaipur, Agra, Delhi, Kartarpur, Benares and
Calcutta) lasted nearly a month. Thanks to efforts of von Klemm, the Duke’s meetings with a cross-section of the Indian people did much to dispel the false image of Russia implanted by the British administration and in creating an objective picture of my country in the eyes of the Indian people. Von Klemm also launched a unique initiative of public diplomacy, an important component of bilateral ties. An exposition entitled “Bombay – Fishery in India in live forms and figures”was presented at the International Fishing Fair in St. Petersburg in 1902 and was a huge success. None other than von Klemm helped get it as it was he who persuaded brothersVinayak and Eknath Khate to send their private collection to Russia. The Khate brothers were later awarded a gold medal from the government of the Russian Empire. The consulate was proactive in stimulating interest among the Russian business community towards business opportunities in India. In 1902, with the assistance of von Klemm, two steamship lines were put in operation, which became key ar-
teries for Russian-Indian trade. Branches of Russian trade houses were opened in this country. “Leon Mantashev” supplied kerosene to entire Western India in the beginning of the century,delivering it from Baku through Batumi. According to official British statistics, out of 91.5 million gallons of kerosene exported to India in 1900-1901 84.5 million gallons came from Russia. Russian teatraders such as “Gubkin & Kouznetsov Copartnership” also made large purchases of Indian tea. Before World War I Russia was one of the largest buyers of Indian tea, being second only to Britain. Promoting humanitarian and cultural exchanges also got a boost. The current work of the Consulate General in Mumbai shows a continuity of traditions laid down by von Klemm at the dawn of the 20th century. The activities of the Russian diplomatic mission in the western part of India are aimed at safeguarding Russia’s interests in the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Goa as well as promoting Russian-Indian cooperation in economic, scientific, technological and cultural spheres. This cooperation is acquiring new forms every passing day. The Tata group, for example, is involved in establishing the Skolkovo International Center of InnovativeTechnologies near Moscow. The Mumbai consulate also helps to strengthen links with many research centers and business entities which are involved in implementing major Russian-Indian projects, including the Nuclear Power Corporation of India which is en-
gaged in the construction of the Kudankulam nuclear power plant with assistance of Russia’s“Atomstroyexport”company. Mumbai, India’s thriving metropolis and a byword for optimism and resilience, is a brother-city of St. Petersburg with which it has excellent links in trade,economic,cultural and other spheres. As India observes the second anniversary of the deadly terrorist carnage and remembers those who died on Nov 26, 2008 in Mumbai, Russia fully supports India in this relentless fight against terrorism. Incidentally,theTaj hotel is the very historic building where von Klemm,the first Russian diplomat in India, embarked on his voyage of deepening IndiaRussia friendship. And this voyage continues. As the twenty-first century unfolds, the two great nations are infusing new energy and vitality into their time-tested relationship, based on the principles of constructive cooperation and innovative strategic partnership. Russia is determined to strengthen and develop bilateral relations with India in the years to come and rejoices at the growth of international authority and influence of our staunch ally, the rise of this global power-in-the making. The forthcoming visit of the Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev, to India next December will surely open new vistas of mutually beneficial interaction in the field of innovations and help promote effective solution to the tasks of accelerated economic and social development of the two countries. Vivat Mumbai!
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Ecology
bookmarks
in association with rossiyskaya gazeta, russia THE times of india wednesday_november 24_2010
www.tigerforum2010.ru Tiger forum 2010 website www.globaltigerinitiative.org Global Tiger Initiative Program. www.wwf.org WWF website
WildLife
The wild cat gone missing? vostock-photo
Tiger cubs are very vulnerable to predators and poachers CONTINUED from PAGE 1
Russia’s Amur tiger is the world’s largest tiger and the only subspecies capable of living in the snows. Indeed, it can only live in the southern taiga, which is steadily shrinking. Further north, the snow is too deep. According to Gennady Kolonin, an expert on specially protected areas at Rosprirodnadzor, 500 tigers that now inhabit Russia are the maximum that the remaining taiga can support. A female tiger can usually make do with 20 sq. kilometers of dense forest. A male tiger needs substantially more — up to 100 sq. kilometers. Ordinarily the home range of one male tiger includes the home ranges of two or three females and their cubs. “Without home ranges of their own, young tigers are forced to roam about and are always running into grounds already occupied by adults,”say members of Russia’s special tiger inspection team. Last year, they observed a group of four young tigers over time. Only one of them was able to find itself a hunting ground.The others died. Today, tigers have crossed over to the left bank of
the Amur River in a bid to find new home ranges. They appear regularly in the Amur Region and wander along the Baikal-Amur railway line. Research by the Amur Tiger Project has shown that in 7585% of cases Amur tigers perish at the hands of humans. Poachers in the Russian Far East kill 20-30 tigers every year.Tiger pelts are in great demand as are their carcasses. The Chinese use body parts of this rare animal for medicines that supposedly increase potency. Illegal logging is another major problem. In the mountains of Eastern Manchuria and the Sikhote-Alin range, the virgin forests are shrinking while the grounds suitable for habitation and hunting are becoming more and more isolated, forcing tigers to divide up into groups of 8-14 individuals and live separately. If in 2004-05 the situation in Russia was still considered favorable, then last year the tiger population here, as elsewhere in the world, was again found to have decreased. Environmentalists now need to accomplish several tasks at once. First, they must provide tigers with food.To do this, they vostock-photo
Russia's PM Vladimir Putin holds a tiger's head as scientists put on a collar with a satellite tracker in the Ussuri reserve
must provide additional numbers of ungulates so that the tigers have enough prey.The lack of sufficient food is forcing tigers to forage in populated areas, to steal dogs and attack domestic livestock.The“problem”tigers that engage in such activities have to be caught. They are tracked and, depending on the state of their health and their ability to procure their own food independently, are either returned to the taiga or put to sleep. Secondly, protected habitats for tigers are needed. In Russia in 2007-08, three national parks and a federal nature reserve (Leopardovy) were created; 770,000 sq. hectares were turned into protected areas for tigers. Now in operation is the Kedorvaya Pal’ Nature Reserve, also the Sikhote-Alinsky Reserve, the largest specially protected area inside the Amur tiger’s range. Thus more than 20% of the Amur tiger’s habitat is under special protection. TheWorldWildlife Fund would like to see the area of these zones increased to 25%. If such a decision is taken, environmentalists say that it will require creating protected areas in the Ussuriisky and Lazovsky Nature Reserves, as well as in the Zov Tigra, Udegeisykaya Legenda and Anyuisky National Parks; in addition, Russia will need to set up three more nature reserves, three more nature parks and four ecological corridors. This would make all the existing specially protected areas in Primoriye a single complex, and substantially increase the potential area for tiger habitation. Today tigers often perish on roads while trying to move from one protected zone to another. Thirdly, environmentalists concerned with the fate of the Amur tiger should create a special state rehabilitation center. The center would treat animals that have suffered at the hands of hunters or poachers and then release them into the wild. At present, there is only one NGO (Utes) involved in these efforts and it is dependent on donations. Since its inception, this non-government center has nursed 14 tigers back to health. Most recently Utes managed to save three tiger cubs, who they named Vladi-
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meters in length, tail included, amur tigers continue to grow their whole life. They can weigh upto 300 kg in old age. Tigers are wily hunters. Unlike the Bengal tiger, the Amur tiger is unusually silent.
km an hour is a speed a tiger can run. During the mating games of Manchurian wapitis, the Amur tiger does a masterful job of imitating the voice of the bellowing deer in order to lure it.
adult ungulates a year at least is the diet of a single tiger. Despite their enormous appetites, tigers do not significantly affect the populations of the animals they eat. As opposed to, say, wolves.
mir,Tatiana and Lazurina.The cubs were cared for over a period of 100 days. They were taught to hunt and then taken back to the taiga. Today money to preserve the Amur tiger population is allocated by international organisations like the World Bank. Charity foundations are also involved. For instance, the World Wildlife Fund has created the Adopt a Tiger project
to raise more funds to protect tigers in Russia.With a contribution of 25,000 rubles ($8,000 plus), a donor may adopt one tiger. The WWF has so far found 122 such “parents”. Of course, donors do not receive an actual tiger in exchange for their support.The money they donate goes to protect the Amur tiger’s entire range in the southern taiga of the Russian Far East.
Research shows that in 75-85% of cases, Amur tigers are killed. Poachers in Russia's Far East kill 20-30 tigers every year. The Chinese use body parts for potency medicines.
bookmarks
www.traffic.org TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network www.ifaw.org IFAW, the International Fund for Animal Welfare
Russia india report
Fed up with unreal city, they create green utopia WWF
Anatoly Belov has tirelessly fought poachers along the Russia-China border to save the Amur tiger. The WWF honoured the man with its highest honour this month.
Thirsting for an eco-friendly lifestyle, thousands of Russians are turning to far-off lands to create their own utopia. But the romance has not ended happily for some.
Dmitry Levner rir
Anna Nemtsova srecially for rir
Anatoly Belov, a long-time Russian anti-poaching ranger working on the frontlines of protecting tigers
quiring coordinated teamwork. During a press conference in Moscow after his return from the UK, Belov said that he did not feel comfortable accepting the award alone.“I am not alone. There is a team of people working with me: my fellow inspectors, border guards, policemen.We are working together,”Belov said. Many members of Belov’s team are army veterans, whose experience in military campaigns in Chechnya and Afghanistan prepared them for the new challenge. Recent reforms aimed at combining all environmental agencies into one have increased the bureaucratic duties of rangers; additionally, many poachers enjoy the support of local officials, who profit from illegal hunting. Lack of money is also a constant problem. Funding from local and federal authorities must be supplemented by NGOs such as WWF, which provide equipment, uniforms
and other necessities to forest rangers. Despite these trials, the rangers are making headway in the fight against poaching. Last year, 240 people were arrested for illegal activities in the two nature preserves for which Belov is responsible along the Russia-China border. Belov admits that receiving the WWF award is a big honour for him, but he knows there will be no respite in this battle to save endangered big cats. At 48, Belov has spent most of his life in the nature preserves of the Far East and does not feel comfortable wearing suits and participating in official ceremonies. After 22 years in the forest, the 650 square miles of unique landscape that he protects is where he belongs; the fight against traffickers and poachers will not wait. “If we manage to save this territory for our children it will be a priceless heritage,”says Belov.
Dwindling tiger population alarming: Expert "Usually the number of large predators declines or increases gradually but steadily. It is critical, therefore, to detect the trend and take action. In the Russian Far East, we have been running a tiger headcount monitoring program for as long as 13 years. A general headcount survey is conducted every decade. Until recently, we had no serious concerns about Siberian tigers, as the population in Khabarovsk increased from 20 in the 1970s to nearly a hundred by the early 1990s. After a minor setback, the headcount came to equilibrium with the environ-
05
Living Pollution, stress driving Russians to eco-communes
Saviour of Amur tiger gets WWF top honour
A wildlife biologist by training, Anatoly Belov, the head of two nature preserves in Russia’s vast Primorsky Region, was awarded the 2010 WWF Duke of Edinburgh Conservation medal at a special ceremony in Windsor Castle on Nov. 1. In the Year of the Tiger, according to the Chinese calendar, it was a fitting tribute to the man who has relentlessly and fearlessly protected Amur tigers in the Russian Far East, one of the main breeding grounds for the magnificent wild cat. In awarding the medal to Belov, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, cited the ranger’s “tireless work, crucial in the effort to save the species from extinction.” Unlike other countries, which have witnessed a sharp decrease in their tiger populations, the number of tigers in the Russian Far East has grown under from around 50 tigers in 1960 to around 500 today. However, despite the relentless efforts of devoted gamekeepers, who comb boundless forests searching for poachers, snares and illegal traffickers, a survey last year by the U.S.-based Wildlife Conservation Society showed tigers in Russia were dwindling, likely due to increased poaching. The fight against traffickers and poachers in the Russian Far East is a serious one, re-
Ecology
in association with rossiyskaya gazeta, russia THE times of india wednesday_november 24_2010
ment and stayed in the range of 70-80. Yet, the balance was very precarious due to the continuous loss of habitat to timber harvesting, wildfires and overall development activities. This led to declining ungulate populations and smaller litter sizes. Moreover, poaching was back on the rise. Starting from the 2004-2005 season, the downward trend has been clearly getting out of control. The population inhabiting the monitoring sites dropped from 32-31 to 27 in 2007, losing some mature animals along the way. In 2008-2009, the number of tigers collapsed
catastrophically to 11. However dreary that may sound, the tiger population in the region has dwindled by a factor of 2.5. A survey in 2004-2005 said the headcount was estimated at 72-78 animals. This winter we will find out whether this is still so. For now, it is not quite clear what has been happening to Siberian tigers. The cases of strange tiger behaviour and death reported in the press are disturbing. To make things worse, these animals are not immune to disease." - Yury Dunishenko, Far East Animal Breeding and Fur Farming Research Institute.
Yevgenia Pystina is a doctor who was once a scientist at the Novosibirsk Medical Institute, the prestigious research facility in Siberia’s largest city. Three years ago, her husband, a concert pianist, told her about some green movement activists living off the grid on communal land about 75 miles north of Novosibirsk, along the banks of the Ob River. “I laughed at his fairytale but he said, ‘let me take you there, so you see with your own eyes’,”she recalled. “That is how we arrived here and stayed.” Pystina, her husband, and her two daughters now live among 51 other families in the Land of Plenty commune whose members range from oneyear-old toddler to nonagenarians. New communities of homesteaders have sprung up across the most remote parts of Russia in the past decade, including Siberia, attracting thousands of Russians in search of a simple, self-sufficient and eco-friendly lifestyle, free from state control and big city corruption. The so-called“eco-communes” built around green living, have grown dramatically in the last decade, and the back to the land movement is drawing professionals weary of the pollution and lurid consumerism. Pystina, it seems, has found her pastoral paradise. A tall, slim woman, Pystina now sings through her busy day, stacking cabbage heads on her verandah, pouring her honey in cans for the winter, and painting eggs with her daughters, Angelina and Polina. “Since the day I moved to the Land of Plenty commune, my new interests in art, singing, science and agriculture wake me up every morning,” she says in the tone of a convert. Not everyone is, however, charmed by these romantic longings. The Russian Orthodox Church has criticised the communes as sects selling false Gods. And some suspicious local authorities in rural areas have challenged at-
tempts by various communes to establish ownership of the land they have homesteaded. Eco-enthusiasts at the Land of Plenty commune have vehemently rebutted the charge, saying they are not a threat, and every house is open to guests who want to visit and sample the commune’s honey, pumpkin pies, and goat milk. They also make it a point to accentuate their differences with some of the religious communes that have also emerged in Russia at the same time.
‘Eco-communes’ have sprung in remotest parts of Russia in the last decade Organic farming forms the basis of the vegetarian diet followed by the commune members. Families also believe in home schooling their children with members with particular expertise teaching that subject area. Pystina, for instance, teaches chemistry. Each household contributes something to the common good at the Land of Plenty.The family of Valery Popov, a former physicist, helps newcomers build their log cabins. The Nadezhdins, a family of dentists, serve as the commune’s bakers. Klavdiya Ivanova, a former music teacher, is famous for her hand-made, traditional clothes. Her husband, a former army officer, helps the commune recycle.“All my life, I’ve been a part of the system: at school, as a university student, then
as a faithful officer but the system fell apart before my eyes, destroyed by liars, by thieves, by outrageously corrupt managers,”said Dmitry Ivanov.“We are here to create a new social model: free, professional and self-confident individuals. And it is focused on decreasing our negative impact on the environment,” he says. The tribe of eco-enthusiasts like Ivanov is growing. Dozens of eco-settlements have emerged in the last two years in the Altai Mountains, Karelia and on the Volga. Some have even spilled overseas.The Shambhala- Shasta Eco-Settlement in Ashland, Oregon, traces its roots to Russia, attracting nature lovers. The wilderness utopias have, however, left some disenchanted.“I could not breathe in the city; the state system choked me,”recalls Kumani, Olga Kumani, a former crime reporter in Novosibirsk, who quit it all in 2002 to chase a green utopia. Finally, Kumani, a mother of three, joined the Charbai commune in Altai.“The commune leaders just wanted to control our money and exploit us for work around the commune,”said Kumani. Kumani and her children now live among a community of 22 artists who make clay pots and flutes in a village in the Republic of Altai. But she finds even the artists’ community bristling with hidden rivalries.“We are still searching for alternative options, for new solutions,”said Kumani, who is now contemplating a move to the most desolate parts of Siberia to find her isle of tranquillity. anna nemtsova
The Land of Plenty ecological commune offers an escape from city life.
06
Opinion
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in association with rossiyskaya gazeta, russia THE times of india wednesday_november 24_2010
www.cdi.org/russia/johnson Johnson’s Russia List www.russiaprofile.org Analysis of business, economic, political and cultural trends en.fondsk.ru Strategic Culture Foundation magazine
Trilateral way to new asia Manish Chand
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week after US President Barack Obama announced support for India's bid for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council, the foreign ministers of Russia-India-China (RIC) trilateral grouping met in the central Chinese city of Wuhan on Nov 14-15. The UN reforms were among pressing global issues discussed by India's S.M. Krishna, China's Yang Jiechi and Russia's Sergei Lavrov. But a breakthrough eluded New Delhi as the meet ended with a joint communique that backed the UN reforms, but did not go beyond “appreciating the role played by India in international affairs.” Russia has been a strong backer of India's candidature for a permanent seat in the UNSC, but China refused to end its ambivalence – bringing to the fore competing ambitions and agendas among the two vetowielding members of the Security Council and an aspirant for the prized seat on the global high table. This dissonance on critical issues may give fodder to some sceptics to write off the RIC as just another talk shop. But such a grim prognosis is wide-
ly off the mark. If anything, it only underlines the growing importance of consultations between the trinity of emerging powers that hold the key to the evolving 21st century world order. Significantly, the 10th trilateral meeting in Wuhan was held weeks after the ASEAN endorsed the admission of the US and Russia in the East Asia Summit and the meeting between the leaders of India and China in Hanoi amid sharp differences over issues such as the Chinese stapled visas for Indian citizens of Jammu and Kashmir. The trilateral ended with the three countries reiterating their call for creating a multipolar world order while making it clear in the same breath that it did "not target any third country”– a euphemism for the US. The joint communique “stressed the need to develop an open transparent inclusive and balanced security and cooperation architecture in the Asia Pacific region based upon universally agreed principles of international law and giving due consideration to the legitimate interests of all states.” Intense quibbling preceded this formulation. Russia and China were in favour of the joint communique speaking of a security architecture for the region based on
drawing by Dmitry divin
counter-terror coperation, but Beijing is understood to have stalled an Indian proposal to include a reference to jointly working to eliminate“safe havens” for terrorists, a reference to Pakistan and its role in Afghanistan. Such differences of approach and views are but natural among the three emerging powers, and it is precisely for this reason the trilateral was mooted over a decade ago by
then Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov to offset Washington's unipolar hegemony and to reduce trust deficit among key stakeholders in an emerging Asian century. The trilateral also promotes deepening of cooperation in diverse areas including agriculture, health, climate change, disaster mitigation and global economic issues that can transform the lives of ordinary people. The proposal
Russia Re-emerging in the East, Poised to play balancer against China, US
gramme of Action to Promote Cooperation between the two is being implemented for the years 2005-2015. An ASEANCentre at Moscow Institute of International Relations had been established in June for professional inputs. Although miniscule in terms of trade figures, Russian economic interests with the region are poised to expand as the last year’s August meeting between Russia and ASEAN economic ministers indicated. Russia’s competitive advantages in energy exploration, mining, defence, space and nuclear industrial prowess, etc are expected to be unveiled in the region. With the Eastern Gas Programme, Russia intends to expand energy supplies to China, Japan and South Korea. Russia, which is expecting to increase arms sales globally to more than $10 billion a year, is also eyeing this region, with submarines sales to India, China, Indonesia andVietnam, fighter aircraft to India, China, Vietnam and Malaysia, space
Srikanth Kondapalli
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ussia’s entry into the East Asian Summit process is a major development in the recent period, with the potential to re-establish itself firmly in the region, along with or in parallel to the US, Japan or China. Although Russia had been an active participant in the multilateral arrangements in Asian and east Asian regions – such as in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, Six Party Talks on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, etc, its entry into the 6th East Asian Summit meeting in Indonesia in 2011, along with the US, marks a major turning point.
Russia was represented at the foundation of the 16-member East Asian Summit inaugural meeting at Kuala Lumpur in 2005 by the then President Putin – but as a special guest. Russia had expressed its desire to join the grouping. Indeed, speaking at the AsiaPacific Economic Cooperation meeting at Sydney in 2007, Putin said that Russia would like to host the summit meeting at Vladivostok in 2012. However, the issue of membership was frozen till the 5th meeting at Hanoi last month, when Russian President Medvedev attended. It is apparent that the pressure of Vietnam, which is facing territorial pressure from Beijing on the South China Sea islands, for inclusion of Russia and the US as full-fledged members of the
the “non-bloc” principle, an all-too-evident reference to the US' politics in the region. India, however, managed to get the other two to accept a more neutral phraseology. India, Russia and China shared concern about the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan, but decided to keep their trilateral cooperation on the issue “within current mechanisms” for now. The three resolved to intensify
Balancing a rising China is a major consideration. The region needs a balancer in Moscow. summit has gained ground. Balancing a rising China is a major consideration in the region. With rising GDP, but affected by the global financial meltdown and devastating summer drought this year, Russia is poised to engage with east Asia in a more concerted manner in the years to come, partly as major energy and arms exporter to the region. With several countries in the region, viz., China, Japan, South
Korea, Malaysia,Vietnam and others emerging as major consumers of energy, Russia is poised to expand its contacts. Also, countries such as India, China, South Korea, Malaysia and Vietnam have shown growing interest in the Russian arms bazaar. On all the issues at the heart of the 10-member ASEAN, the backbone of the East Asia Summit, viz., global financial crisis, food security, comprehensive economic partnerships, terrorism, pandemics, disaster relief, climate change, energy security and international maritime and other challenges, Russia had evinced an abiding interest. At the Hanoi meeting, Medvedev had invited the ASEAN for the third meeting with Russia. Besides, a Comprehensive Pro-
to link up innovation centres in the three big economies, the nucleus of global economic growth, is one such idea that intertwines a shared ambition for national renaissance in the three countries and their collective will to have a bigger say on key global issues. Russia’s Lavrov touched on the heart of the trilateral when he said it is part of international network diplomacy and deals with the problems of real people. One of the proposals being considered is to link Banglaore with the new Russian innovation centre at Skolkovo. Three may be a crowd, but in this case the trio has no option but to manage their differences and competing postures as the three countries have a far bigger stake than anyone else does in each other’s progress and in nurturing peaceful, harmonious relations with each other. While the idea of G2 is a chimera and the UN Security Council reforms still a distant prospect, the RIC is a microcosm of an emergent Asian century that underlines the need for constant trustbuilding conversation among three key pillars of a multi-polar world. Manish Chand, a New Delhibased writer on international issues, is Senior Editor with IANS.
cooperation with India, China and South Korea and nuclear power plants and technologies to India, China and Vietnam. These multi-billion dollar deals would position Russia in the region firmly. Russia is also planning to set up a service centre for up-gradation of weapon systems in the region. Russia was a major player in the region from 1950s till the Soviet decline in 1990s. This was reflected symbolically in the withdrawal from the Cam Ranh Bay. As Russia turned inward, the region came under Beijing’s influence.Today, with the re-emergence of Russia and the US, the region is poised to see healthy balancing between Moscow, Beijing and Washington – with several advantages to the ASEAN countries.As Group 2 (US and China) cooperation is expanding, the region needs a balancer in Moscow. Srikanth Kondapalli is professor, School of International Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
All articles appearing on page 6 do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of the editors of Rossiyskaya Gazeta and Russia India Report.
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www.fundacion-indra-devi.org/english Indra Devi foundation www.russianyogafederation.com Russian yoga federation website
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in association with rossiyskaya gazeta, russia THE times of india wednesday_november 24_2010
'Mataji' opened Kremlin's eyes to yoga, taught Hollywood stars had this feeling that I was hearing a long forgotten call, In the early 20th century, familiar but distant. This was 15-year-old Eugenie Peterson a turning point for me, the came across a book that would week I spent in the camp change her life: Fourteen Les- changed my life,” Eugenie sons in Yogi Philosophy and would recall later. And then Oriental Occultism. As she one thing led to another. On browsed through the book, she November 17, 1927 Eugenie felt her heart beating faster: set out on her first trip to India “Yoga! India! I must go there!” and she got so enamoured Many years, however, passed with the country's culture and before her dream finally came customs that she returned to true. Berlin and bid adieus to her fiance, saying: “My home is in Turning Point India.” Eugenie’s tryst with India began in 1926 when she learnt Arabian Knight star about a conclave of Annie Be- Soon, Eugenie sold the few sant’s Theosophical Society in jewels and furs she had and Holland, to be attended by left for India for good. She Jiddu Krishnamurti, a re- studied Indian classical dance. nowned yoga master, poet and Once when she was dancing philosopher.“For some inex- an Indian temple dance at the plicable reason, I decided that meeting of the Theosophical I must go to this congress in Society in Adyar, she attracted Holland,”she recalled later. It the attention of Jawaharlal proved to be a transforming Nehru. She was introduced to moment when she went to him, and they developed what Ommen, the estate of a noble she called “a loving friendDutch theosophist. Over 4,000 ship”.Adyar is also where popparticipants pitched tents in ular film director Bhagwati the local park and cooked veg- Prasad Mishra offered her a etarian food. Initially, it struck role in his new film Sher-e-Arher as some kind of Oriental ab (Arabian Knight), with exoticism, but one evening, Prithviraj Kapoor, the founder she heard Krishnamurti sing- of India’s film dynasty, in the ing holy hymns in Sanskrit.“I leading male role. The film’s
CONTINUED from PAGE 1
premier in January 1930 made Eugenie an overnight global sensation. Mishra suggested she choose a pseudonym and gave her a list to choose from; she pointed randomly at Indra Devi. Soon after, Eugenie met Jan Strakaty, commercial attaché to the Czechoslovak Consulate in Mumbai, and got married to him.
Yoga lessons
In a strange quirk of fate, she developed a complicated heart problem which even European doctors could not cure.A friend advised her to go to Mysore to meet the legendary guru Sri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya. She decided to take a course in yoga to recover and adopt a healthy lifestyle, but the guru told her curtly that yoga was for Indian men only. Indeed, only young kshatriyas studied at the Mysore Yogashala in 1937. Krishnamacharya, however, relented after the Maharaja of Mysore put in a word for Indra. Indra was admitted to the yoga school, but she had to comply with strict discipline and observe a strict diet. Over the next few months, she completely recovered from her strange disease. Appreciating her zeal, Krishnamacharya
reuters/vostock-photo
Russian-born Indra Devi, known to followers as the 'First Lady of Yoga', died at 102 on April 25, 2002, in Argentina, her home for 17 years. The photo was taken in Buenos Aires.
told her she was ready to move on to the next stage of training. "He sat on the floor and began to show me special secret exercises to control my breathing,” Indra Devi recalled. In 1938, she became the first foreign woman to be a dedicated yogi. When Krishnamacharya learned that her husband was to be transferred to China, he called her again: “You are now leaving us, you will teach yoga.You can do it, and you will do it.” On a ship to China, she realised that she no longer wanted to dance or wear jewellery and expensive clothes. It was then that she put on a light sari, which became her trademark attire. In 1939, she opened a school in Shanghai at the house of Madame Chiang Kai-shek, wife of the legendary Chinese na-
ria novosti
Now, 1 in 3 Russians practice yoga
Indra Devi teaching yoga. Moscow. 1991.
Three Indians paved the way for the development of yoga in Russia in 1989: Guru Iyengar (who who visited Russia twice), Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi (founder of Sahaja Yoga) and Guru Bhajan (Kundalini Yoga and White Tantric Yoga). Having “fallen” for yoga at the age of 16, when he was 24 (in 1971), construction engineer Viktor Boyko from Sevastopol translated a book by Guru Iyengar into Russian and began to practice it. In 1989, the USSR held its first national conference on yoga, leading to the setting up of the USSR Yoga Association. Inga Yakhney, an expert at the Fitness Pro-
07
fessionals Association (FPA), says that today one in three Russians following a healthy lifestyle does yoga. Now, yoga has won a following among the Russian elite: Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said in an interview that he practices yoga regularly. Former First Lady Naina Yeltsin proclaimed it should be “practiced in every Russian home”. Over 90 yoga studios in 70 Russian cities offer yoga classes. Khatuna Kobiashvili, publisher of Yoga Journal, says there are around 200–300,000 people practicing various types of yoga. The yoga market is worth tens of millions of dollars per year.
tionalist leader and a new yoga enthusiast. There were many Americans and Russians among her pupils. More and more people began to call her ‘Mataji’, (mother). Indra Devi started giving lectures on yoga, including free lessons in orphanages.
kind of Oriental religion! We have to tell the truth to them.” A few days later, she received a personal invitation from Indian ambassador Krishna Menon to a formal reception, where he introduced her to the top Communist party leaders. She explained to them the ideas of ancient Indian teaching. The then Teaching Hollywood Foreign Minister Andrei GroAfter her husband died, Indra myko proposed a toast: “To left for the US in 1947 and Indra Devi, who opened our opened a yoga studio in Hol- eyes to yoga.” But this warm lywood next year. To popular- reception did not then ignite ise yoga, she turned to influen- much enthusiasm for yoga, and tial celebrities.“Most people she ended up leaving the Sovilike to copy their idols. Many et Union disillusioned. decided to study yoga only be- For the next three decades, she cause Gloria Swanson,Yehudi stayed in Mexico and ArgenMenuhin, Pandit Nehru, and tina, interspersed with travel Ben Gurion were known to to India and other parts of the pursue yoga,”she wrote in one world. She returned in 1990 to of her books. Mataji gradually Soviet Union, which was in developed a style of yoga the throes of disintegration, to adapted for the West, includ- celebrate her 91st birthday. ing yoga asana. In the mid- By this time, yoga had grown 1950s, after her second mar- in popularity. In 1989, the first riage, she was granted the all-union yoga conference American citizenship and put called“Yoga: ImprovingYour her Indra Devi pseudonym in Health and Empowering Oneher new passport. self”, was held. She caught the public eye when appearing on Home truths in USSR a popular TV programme in a In 1960, Indra Devi’s name sari while sitting on a sofa in a grabbed headlines all over the lotus pose. The next day she world.“Brave female yogi puts was mobbed by autograph the Kremlin upside down.” hunters who spotted her on Such was the reaction to her the streets of Moscow. visit to the Soviet Union. At the end of her life, having Mataji had decided to visit toured the whole of the world, Russia, where she had emi- Mataji used to say that three grated from 40 years ago, after countries were particularly she read a small article about dear to her: Russia, where she yoga in a Soviet magazine. was born, India, her spiritual In Moscow, Indra Devi visited motherland, and Argentina, the Indian embassy, where she which she called“an amicable met an old acquaintance from country”. India.“How wonderful that (Based on Nataliya Klevalina’s article from Vokrug Sveta you came!”he exclaimed.“They magazine, Vokrugsveta.ru) think here that yoga is some
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IN ASSOCIATION WITH ROSSIYSKAYA GAZETA, RUSSIA THE TIMES OF INDIA WEDNESDAY_NOVEMBER 24_2010
Raj Kapoor with the students of the Moscow College of Circus and Variety Arts. Moscow. 1967
Movies Films like No Smoking, Lucky shot in Russia
Let's go dancing, Bollywood style Raj Kapoor has given way to Aishwarya Rai as Russians reignite their love affair with Bollywood and more Indian film-makers discover the beauty and glory of Russia. YASMIN TAJ RIR
Raj Kapoor, the incurable romantic who enjoyed wild adulation in the Soviet Union in the 1960s, must be smiling. The old flame is burning again, as Russia rekindles the decades-old affair with Bollywood and Indian film producers, seduced by the pristine snow and picturesque locales, to shoot their films in the country. While Raj Kapoor taking on a Russian actress Kseniya Ryabinkina in his movie ‘Mera
Naam Joker’way back in 1970 is the stuff of folklore, Russia has now fired the imagination of Indian film producers. Recent movies like 'No Smoking', 'Parwana', 'Lucky: No Time for Love' and the yet to be released 'AgentVinod' have been shot in this picturesque country, which has a lot to offer in terms of beautiful locations and exquisite architecture. “I had gone to Russia to shoot for my movie Parwana with the cast (Ajay Devgan, Ameesha Patel and Gulshan Grover). I shot two songs and the climax of the movie there. I will always remember Russian people as very nice and hospitable," recalls director Deepak Bahry. "The theatres in Russia are
very huge and beautiful. The architecture there is unique. There is a theatre where 100,000 people can sit and watch a show, and that’s amazing,”he exclaims. Way back in the 60s and 70s, hordes of people would line up for tickets to see Indian films. Raj Kapoor, who went to Moscow around the same time, left the Soviet people besotted. According to eyewitnesses, Kapoor’s shiny ZIS (the grandstyle Soviet automobile meant to ferry the actor back to his hotel), which was parked outside the Udarnik movie theatre, never left the curb. The crowd simply picked the car up (with Kapoor in it) and carried it off! In the 80s, songs from Indian movies were hugely popular in
the Soviet Union. The fashion for disco dancing, however, made young Russians view Indian cinema differently after the movie 'Disco Dancer' (1982) was released. Mithun Chakraborty, the film’s star, replaced Raj Kapoor in the eyes of the new generation. The dance halls at Soviet summer resorts in the 80s resounded with the sounds of ‘I Am a Disco Dancer’.“The people of Russia are crazy about Bolly- The attraction is mutual. he used Russian motifs.“This wood. Raj Kapoor and his en- Russian designers are finding show had some Russian influtire family are highly popular inspiration in Vedas and ences where I was enthused by amongst Russian people and Bollywood, and their Indian Russian paintings, the Faberso is Mithun Chakraborty,” peers are thrilled by Russian gé eggs, among other things. says Bahry. Aishwarya Rai paintings and Faberge eggs. Since Russia is such an old (‘Rai’ in Russian means ‘paraand rich cultural civilisation, dise’) is the new poster girl for SAKSHI SINGH there is so much inspiration Bollywood in Russia and is RIR you can draw, although I have easily the most loved of the Sari, henna, bindi and bangles never been there,” rhapsodises new generation of Indian ac- in Russia? Well, Russian Barve. women just love them. Not Says Chapurin: “Massive tors in that country. Ace choreographer Sandip surprisingly, Russians and In- bracelets and earrings with Soparrkar visited Russia quite dian designers are increasing- large stones have found a sometime back, but still rel- ly influencing each other’s prominent place at Russian ishes beautiful memories.“I fashion sensibilities.“When I beauty stores. Indian motifs had gone to Moscow for was in Russia recently, I no- can be traced even in the dearound 10 days on a dance as- ticed that Russians are ex- sign of shoes. I have never been signment. People were just tremely fashion conscious. I to India, but I was always imopening up to newer things, also came across Russian girls pressed with its culture - from accepting other languages and who knew about the Indian the Vedas to Bollywood. Inother people,”he says. "When mehndi and sari and were dia’s vitality and depth, diveryou have to do ballet training, completely enamoured by it,” sity and uniqueness have althere is nothing better than says Kapil Tolani, a marketing ways inspired me to create a Russia in the whole world. I professional. new collection.” was very happy to have Agrees Igor Chapurin, Mos- Russians are also getting to reached there at a time when cow’s famous designer: “The learn more about Indian fashthey were very keen on exper- influence of Indian fashion in ion. "I find the fashion conimenting and accepting other Russia is evident.”A collection trasts in Russia quite interestpeople coming in, especially of haute couture 2010 by ing. On one hand, it’s the Asians who were keen on un- Chapurin called "Indian Prin- influence of czars (the velvet, derstanding their dance form cess" inspired by Indian tradi- heavy brocade) and on the and culture. I had a lovely tion, was recently showcased other, Russia being a commuin the Russian capital.The at- nist country, has a presence of time,”he recalls. Russia’s love for Indian films traction is mutual. Indian de- highly utilitarian fashion; perhas now spilled over into a signer Nachiket Barve, too, sonally, this contrast excites passion for Indian dance. worked on a collection where me a lot," says Barve. ‘Mera Naam Joker’ of Raj Kapoor had portrayed the Russian ballet and circus at that time, says Soparrkar. “Russian people are highly talented and Bollywood has been exploring the talent in Russia from the very beginning. Now, I see a lot of Russian dancers coming to Bollywood to become dancers too. In the field of dance, I now see both countries promoting each other.” Clearly, it takes two to tango, and it seems like Russians will never get tired of Bollywood song-and-dance specIgor Chapurin's Haute Couture collection "Indian Princess" taculars.
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