A Russian delegation accompanying Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Sampurnanand Sanskrit University in Varanasi, known as the capital of knowledge, on Tuesday. The academic visit reflected a beautiful confluence of the vibrant energies of two ancient cultures—India and Russia.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Bihari Lal Sharma, accorded a grand traditional welcome to the Russian delegates. Vedic chants resonated throughout the campus during their visit.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sharma said that the unique friendship between India and Russia, along with their cultural similarities and mutual dedication, is centuries old.
“Today, two great intellectual powers of the world—India and Russia—are committed to protecting humanity, preserving cultural heritage, and guiding the world towards a humane path. For the past seven decades, Russia has supported India selflessly like a brother, and this tradition of friendship continues to grow stronger,” he said.
He further added that the Russian guests gained a profound understanding of the Indian knowledge tradition, Sanatan Dharma, and Indian culture. Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, he noted, is a major centre for the preservation and promotion of India’s cultural legacy and offers a glimpse into the soul of the nation. The visit by the delegation accompanying President Putin has infused new energy into the cultural and educational relations between the two countries and will further strengthen future academic exchanges, the VC added.
Prof. Batyr Elistayev, Vice-Rector of Kalmyk State University (Kalmykia, Elista), who led the delegation, said, “It was a great opportunity to visit this ancient institution located in Varanasi, the oldest city in the world, and to learn firsthand about the Indian knowledge tradition and Sanatan Dharma and culture. It was an extremely pleasant experience. If one truly wants to understand India, it is essential to visit this centre of the divine language, Sanskrit, in Varanasi and comprehend its essence.”
He added that the vast knowledge embedded in the divine language Sanskrit encompasses the complete essence of Indian culture, values, and identity. “This visit will further strengthen the decades-old relationship between Russia and India. All the delegates accompanying us gained deep insights into the traditional education system here, including the study of Sanskrit, Buddhist philosophy, and languages such as Prakrit and Pali, which helped them easily grasp the essence of both cultures,” he said.
Professor Ramesh Prasad, Dean of the Faculty of Shraman Vidya, said that the Russian guests were able to understand the profound intricacies of Pali and Sanskrit and recognized the similarities between the cultures of both countries.
The delegation included more than a dozen members, among them Vasily Kishtanov, Professor Georgy, Professor Tatiana, Professor Svetlana, Professor Larisa, and Professor Natalia. They visited the Vice-Chancellor’s office, various faculties, the library, the Veda Bhavan, and other sections of the campus, and were deeply impressed by the Indian knowledge tradition.