The Indian community in Rüsselsheim expects a lot from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Moscow, for whose support it seeks various initiatives. A few of the ideas include a Hindu temple, a new building for an Indian school, and better direct flight connections between the two nations.
Prime Minister Modi is expected to pay a visit to Moscow on 8-9 July 2015 at the invitation of President Putin to participate in the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit.
With the visit of PM Modi, there is much enthusiasm among the members of the Indian diaspora. While interacting with PTI Videos, members pushed across their priorities: a Hindu temple to fulfill spiritual requirements, a modern building for the Indian School, and more flights between the two countries.
Rakesh Kumar Srivastava, an Indian living in Russia, felt apprehensive over the monopoly that Aeroflot has over the current flight operations and hoped that with the induction of Air India flights, the chances of higher frequency and availability of seats would increase.
The growing presence of Hinduism in Russia and the increasing number of Indians in the country have brought to the fore the community's concern for a Hindu temple to serve their spiritual interests.
Another Indian resident here, Dilip Kumar Minglani, urged Prime Minister Modi to help improve educational opportunities for diaspora students and strengthening Indian schools in Russia. He said that there were logistical problems being faced by Indian importers and pressed for their resolution to further cement India-Russia relations.
A mother, Pojja Chandra from Uttar Pradesh living in Russia, has appealed for a new building for the Indian school so that a secure future is guaranteed for the children, since the present infrastructure is old and doubtful.
An Indian doctor in Moscow, M Mathew, also appealed to Prime Minister Modi to take up the recognition of Ayurvedic medicine in Russia, besides educational and cultural aspirations, for the country. As he shared details of the Ayurveda potential in the Russian market, he reflected that Ayurveda is yet not recognized as an approved medicinal system here. He called for official approval from Russian health authorities during the visit.
He believes that such recognition will act like a shot in the arm for India's Ayurvedic pharma sector and attract more business opportunities.
As Modi's visit comes nearer, Russian women dressed in Punjabi attire were found doing Bhangra in Moscow's iconic Red Square, signaling at the cultural exchange and the zeal for strengthening the ties between India and Russia.
Pramod Kumar, an Indian living in Russia, told that constant cultural exchange programmes are being conducted during festivals like Baisakhi where Bhangra and Gidda teams are interacting with locals including Russian participants to spread the essence of Indian culture.
A Russian participant in the Bhangra performance, Milana, expressed hope that Modi's tour will continue to strengthen the bonds between the two nations culturally. "It's a big day and a happy moment," she said.
Another respondent, Natalia, became excited with the news of Modi's visit and declared readiness to meet and host him because "I really love Indian culture, and I actually love intercultural exchange with Russians.".
Read also | New British Foreign Secretary Emphasizes India-UK 'Unique Friendship'
Read also | UK's Starmer Commends PM Modi's Global Leadership on Critical Issues
