Results of the first Russian-Indian Afanasy Nikitin Prize
On August 15, 2025, India’s Independence Day, a significant event in the field of public diplomacy took place: the presentation of the First Russian-Indian Afanasy Nikitin Award.
The gala evening was organized by the ANO "NRI Club - Compatriots of India in Russia," which, with the support of the Embassy of India in Russia, established the Afanasy Nikitin Medal "Friendship Through the Ages." This medal recognizes outstanding achievements in strengthening the Russian-Indian partnership across various fields, including education, science, culture, politics, diplomacy, healthcare, and public affairs.
Opening the ceremonial event, Devadathan Nair, head of the ANO "NRI Club - Compatriots of India in Russia," presented the organization's key achievements during its first year of operation. Results of the first Russian-Indian Afanasy Nikitin Prize, Dmitry Kurbatov, Secretary of the ANO "NRI Club - Compatriots of India in Russia". Mr. Nair emphasized that over the past year, the NRI Club has come a long and challenging way, from a modest idea of individual representatives of the Indian diaspora in Russia to organizing its first cultural events, round tables, and international competitions, forming a foundation for Russian-Indian business cooperation at the small and medium-sized business level, and publishing a magazine about the Indian diaspora in Russia, "Varta Patrika," the latest issue of which was presented to the audience.
Continuing the program, Dmitry Kurbatov, Secretary of the ANO "NRI Club - Compatriots of India in Russia," spoke about the Club's future plans. Within the coming year, the "Mayak" platform is planned to be launched. It will be aimed at addressing, in real-time, the challenges faced by Indians living and working in various regions of Russia by promptly connecting those in need of assistance with relevant Russian and Indian organizations. It will also help inform the Indian community about opportunities available in Russia, taking into account users’ professional backgrounds and personal interests.
In addition, in the medium term, plans include the creation of a nationwide youth research laboratory for the purpose of studying Russia and India, as well as bilateral relations in various fields.
The event was also addressed by an honored guest, Deputy Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of India to the Russian Federation, Mr. Giri Nikilesh. According to the high-ranking diplomat, initiatives such as those implemented by the ANO "NRI Club - Compatriots of India in Russia" contribute to bringing the peoples of Russia and India closer together and fostering intercultural exchange, thereby strengthening the foundation of the Russian-Indian partnership.
The following figures were awarded the first Afanasy Nikitin Prize:
1. Mikhail Mikhailovich Mgeladze - Russian diplomat, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Consul General of Russia in Madras (Chennai, India) in 2002-2005, Deputy Director of the African Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation in 2005-2006, — for his invaluable contribution to the development of Russian-Indian state and public relations;
2. Fyodor Anatolyevich Rozovsky - formerly the head of the Rossotrudnichestvo representative office in the Republic of India, director of the Russian Centre for Science and Culture (Russian House) in New Delhi, an active participant in the Russian Association for International Cooperation (RAMS), a member of the board of the Society for Friendship with India, and vice-president of the Society for Friendship with the Republic of Bangladesh. In 2011, Fyodor Anatolyevich was awarded the medal of the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland", 2nd degree — for his significant contribution to the development of Russian-Indian relations;
3. Denis Vladimirovich Filetkin - Vice-Rector for International Affairs of the N.P. Ogarev Mordovia State University (since 2022), previously a statesman, military serviceman, and assistant to the rector of N.P. Ogarev Mordovia State University for international relations — for active patriotic and civic education work with Russian and foreign students, including Indian students;
4. Vladimir Vladimirovich Egorov - President of the Russian Professional Association of Specialists in Traditional Medicine and Wellness Practices, President of the International Academy of Sciences of Traditional and Integrative Medicine, Deputy Chairman of the Expert Council on Improving Legislation in the Field of Complementary Medicine under the State Duma Committee on Health Protection of the Russian Federation, Deputy Chairman of the Coordination Council for Legal and Regulatory Policy in the Sphere of Traditional Medicine of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, and Assistant to the First Deputy Chairman of the Health Protection Committee of the State Duma of the Russian Federation — for his contribution to the development of Russian-Indian cooperation in healthcare;
5. Elena Bakhadyrovna Ulmasbaeva - a long-time Iyengar yoga teacher (over 40 years of experience), founder and head of the “Yoga Praktika” network, under whose auspices various master classes, seminars, and courses are organized — for promoting the culture and philosophy of yoga in Russia.
6. Khan Tanvir - founder of the Russian Cricket League (ROO "Russian Cricket League,” established in 2000), coach of the Russian national cricket team — for his contribution to the development of Russian-Indian cooperation in sports;
7. Kanta Devi - psychologist and English teacher in a Russian school, deputy secretary of the Indian community organization "Hindustani Samaj", head of the women's club at the ANO "NRI Club - Compatriots of India in Russia”, and Secretary for Cultural Affairs of the "Overseas Bihar Association". Ms. Devi has been actively uniting and promoting the Indian diaspora in Moscow for over 17 years, promoting Indian culture in Russia through dance, music, theater, poetry, and literature. In 2024, Kanta Devi served as the host of the ceremonial meeting between the Indian community in Moscow and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi — for promoting Indian culture and values in Russia.
8. Sudha Rani Gupta - General Director of the Interregional Public Organization “Center for Spiritual Development”. In 1989, Ms. Sudha arrived in Moscow as part of a delegation of Raja Yoga teachers from the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University, at the official invitation of the Department of Physical Education and Sports of the USSR Ministry of Health. Soon, the first yoga training center in Moscow was opened, headed by Ms. Sudha. For over 35 years, under her leadership, educational and socially significant projects aimed at strengthening morality in society have been successfully implemented, for example, “The World in Our Hands”, “Manifesto 2000 for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence”, “A Home Without Corners for a Child, or The World as One Family”, etc. — for educating the peoples of Russia and India and for the long-term implementation of social and charitable initiatives;
9. Irina Arkadyevna Kraeva - Rector of the Moscow State Linguistic University (MSLU, formerly the Maurice Thorez Moscow State Pedagogical Institute of Foreign Languages) (since 2018). In her position as Rector, Irina Arkadyevna actively promotes the expansion of cooperation between MSLU and various Indian universities, the signing and implementation of cooperation agreements, which make it possible to develop joint research in various fields, and to intensify academic mobility and academic exchange programs. Thus, in June 2023, an agreement was signed between MSLU and the Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management in West Kolkata. In addition, with the personal assistance of Irina Arkadyevna, an agreement was signed between MSLU and Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, and negotiations are ongoing with other Indian universities — for strengthening the Russian-Indian academic and scientific partnership;
10. Kartar Singh - one of the founders of the Gurudwara in Moscow, which is currently one of the most important architectural landmarks in the city for the Indian diaspora. Mr. Singh currently lives in Moscow with his wife, children, and grandchildren, and develops his own business — for promoting Indian culture and traditions abroad.
11. Elena Anatolyevna Zakharova is the Director of Repertoire Planning for the Cinema Park and Formula Kino cinema chain. Elena Zakharova has been working in the cinema industry since 1997. Since 2003, she has held the position of Director of Repertoire Policy in leading Russian cinema chains. Since joining the Cinema Park and Formula Kino cinema chains in 2022, Elena has focused on Indian cinema. For over three years now, the chain has regularly screened films in Tamil and Hindi — for strengthening Russian-Indian ties in the field of cinema;
12. Irina Nelson — singer, composer, promoter of a healthy lifestyle and yoga — for her significant contribution to the development of Russian-Indian relations and strengthening ties between the peoples. As part of the ceremony, she presented her new mini-album of mantras, “Lights of Mantras”;
13. Ekaterina Valeryevna Avdeeva — member of the General Council of the All-Russian public organization “Delovaya Rossiya” (Business Russia), Head of the Expert Center on Criminal Law Policy and Enforcement of Judicial Acts of “Delovaya Rossiya”, Advisor to the President of the Animal Protection Fund “Save Me” on legal issues, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the real estate corporation “ASTORIUS”, member of the Expert Advisory Council under the Federation Committee on Constitutional Legislation and State Building, Candidate of Legal Sciences (PhD in Law) — for a significant contribution to strengthening the legal framework for business, protecting entrepreneurship, and implementing socially significant initiatives;
14. Ramaz Otarievich Chanturiya — founder of “International Tea House” LLC, General Director of the leading Russian association of tea and coffee producers “Roschaikofe” — for strengthening Russian-Indian business cooperation;
15. Anita Joaquinovna Carillo-Arcas — founder and president of the Russian-Indian Ayurvedic Association (ARIA), an expert in Ayurveda and organizer of all-Russian congresses on Ayurveda— for significant contribution to Russian-Indian cooperation in the field of medicine;
16. Vinay Shukla — Mr. Shukla worked for many years as an announcer and editor at Radio Moscow and Radio Tashkent, and was also active as a translator: he translated a number of works from Russian into Hindi by M.A. Sholokhov, M.A. Bulgakov, as well as many other works of Soviet authors. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Mr. Vinay worked as a correspondent for the Indian news agencies United News of India (UNI) and Press Trust of India (PTI) — for popularizing Russian literature and journalism in India;
17. Kashmir Singh — President of the Indian diaspora organization “Hindustani Samaj”, which organizes cultural and educational events aimed at promoting Indian culture and the Hindi language. In 1976–1990, Mr. Kashmir Singh worked at Radio Moscow as a translator from Punjabi to Russian, and in 2006–2015, at Radio Russia as a translator from Hindi into Russian. Since 1984, Mr. Singh has been a member of the Indian community organization “Hindustani Samaj”, where he also held the position of General Secretary — for uniting the Indian community in Russia and promoting Indian culture abroad;
18. Vadim Viktorovich Kozhenov — an expert in migration, head of the V.V. Kozhenov Migrant Assistance Center, which provides legal assistance to migrants in Russia, including Indian nationals. In addition, he serves as President of the Foundation for Assistance in Combating Terrorism — for providing legal and administrative support of the Indian community in Russia;
19. Nikolai Ivanovich Zyaykin — in 1976, Nikolai Ivanovich began working in the foreign trade organization “Medexport”, which carried out procurement and sale of medical goods and equipment at the interstate level, including cooperation with India. His first business trip to India took place in 1979. Since 1982, Nikolai Ivanovich was sent to Delhi for a long-term assignment from “Medexport”, where he spent three years concluding contracts and various trade agreements, gradually expanding cooperation not only with transnational corporations, but also with large Indian companies such as Cipla, Unique, Torrent, and others. For more than 23 years, Nikolai Ivanovich has worked at the Indian pharmaceutical company “PanBio Pharm” — for significant contribution to strengthening Russian-Indian trade and economic cooperation;
20. Sergey Ivanovich Lunev — Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor at the Department of Oriental Studies, MGIMO University (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia), Chief Research Fellow of the “New Oriental Studies” program of the Institute of International Studies of MGIMO University under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia. At the Department of Oriental Studies of MGIMO, Sergey Ivanovich has been teaching since 2005, and is the author of courses on the history and political system of the countries of South Asia — for outstanding research and teaching activities as a specialist in Indology;
21. Renat Suleymanovich Akchurin (1946–2024) — Renat Suleymanovich was an outstanding Russian cardiac surgeon. Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Academician of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences and the Russian Academy of Sciences. Renat Suleymanovich headed the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery at the A.L. Myasnikov Institute of Clinical Cardiology of the Russian Cardiology Research and Production Complex of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences. His scientific works and discoveries were widely recognized by the medical community of a number of foreign countries, including India — for outstanding achievements in the field of medicine and healthcare.
22. Igor Vladimirovich Miroshnichenko — Rector of Orenburg State Medical University (OrSMU), Doctor of Medical Sciences, author of more than 70 scientific and educational-methodological works. In 1992, he began his teaching career at the Department of Normal Physiology of OrSMU. In 2009, he was appointed Dean of the General Medicine and Dentistry Faculties, in 2010, Vice-Rector for Academic, Educational and Social Affairs of OrSMU. Since 2017, he has been the Rector of the institute, which is one of the most popular destinations for Indian medical students. Awarded a number of regional and federal awards — for strengthening academic interaction between Russia and India in the field of healthcare and creating conditions for training highly qualified medical specialists;
23. Anna Sergeevna Blagonravova — Acting Rector of the Perm State Medical University named after Academician E.A. Wagner, co-author of the “National Concept for the Prevention of Infections Associated with the Provision of Medical Care”. Author of more than 200 scientific works, 6 inventions, 1 scientific discovery, and 3 certificates of state registration of copyright-protected databases. Awarded several regional and federal awards — for achievements in the field of training highly qualified medical specialists;
24.Ishita Kapur — Assistant figure skating coach, which she has practiced for more than 15 years. A third-year student of the Faculty of Physical Culture and Sports of the Russian State University of Physical Culture, Sports, Youth and Tourism specializing in figure skating. Ishita’s main goals are to contribute to the education of a new generation of figure skaters and the popularization of figure skating in India, to his end, Ishita is engaged in the development of figure skating sections in her home country — for uniting Russian and Indian youth on the basis of a healthy lifestyle and sports;
25. Dasha Kotvani - Event management specialist, organizer of numerous events in Moscow and other cities of Russia, contributing to the promotion of Indian culture abroad. Director of the Indian National Cultural Center “SITA”, event manager at the Indian Business Council, as well as Director of Marketing at “The Imperial Tailoring Co.” Her professional experience includes the organization of such large-scale events as Indian festivals in Moscow, “Days of India” and other events which brought together between 5,000 and 1.2 million participants — for uniting the Indian diaspora in Russia and expanding opportunities for its representatives;
26. Dmitry Kurbatov — Secretary of the ANO “Close Club – Compatriots of India in Russia”, postgraduate (PhD) student of MGIMO of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, analyst at the Institute of International Studies, MGIMO University of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, specialist at the Center for International Cooperation of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation — for the development of Russian-Indian youth cooperation.
At the conclusion of the official part, during which each of the awardees had the opportunity to deliver a short address or to speak in more detail about their activities in developing Russian-Indian relations, a traditional concert took place featuring dance and musical performances, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the authentic atmosphere of Russia and India.
The first award ceremony of the Russian-Indian Prize named after Afanasy Nikitin became an important concluding event of the first year of activity of the ANO “Close Club – Compatriots of India in Russia”, demonstrating the multifaceted nature of efforts to deepen and expand cooperation between the countries, societies, and peoples of Russia and India, as well as creating a platform for networking, rapprochement, and proposing future projects by young and experienced specialists in various fields who are sincerely interested in working for the benefit of both countries.
