The Centre for Studies of International Relations (CSIR) has inaugurated the International Centre for Civilizational Studies "Manas and Mahabharata" in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, marking a significant step in strengthening India-Kyrgyzstan cultural and academic ties and promoting comparative epic studies.
Key Points
- The International Centre for Civilizational Studies "Manas and Mahabharata" has been established in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, by CSIR and Manas National Academy.
- A significant milestone was the release of the first Hindi translation of the Kyrgyz epic "Manas" during the centre's inauguration.
- The centre aims to advance scientific, educational, and cultural cooperation, focusing on comparative civilisational studies and epic traditions.
- RSS national media head Sunil Ambekar highlighted the deep cultural similarities and shared human values between India and Kyrgyzstan.
- Trilateral cooperation agreements were signed with seven leading Kyrgyz universities to promote international scientific collaboration and research.
"The International Centre for Civilizational Studies' 'Manas and Mahabharata' was officially inaugurated in Bishkek during a visit of an Indian delegation to Kyrgyzstan from July 4 to July 7," the statement said. RSS national media and publicity department head Sunil Ambekar, who is a member of the Sangh's national executive committee, was the chief guest at the event, it added.
Strengthening India-Kyrgyzstan Cultural Ties
The statement said the Indian delegation comprised CSIR honorary director Punit Gaur, former director of the Centre for Russian Language and Literature at Jawaharlal Nehru University Hem Chandra Pande and chairman of the India-Central Asia Foundation Ramakant Dwivedi, who is also director of the MERI Centre for International Studies. "The centre has been established by the Manas National Academy in collaboration with the CSIR, New Delhi," it said.
"As part of the ceremony, trilateral cooperation agreements were also signed between the Manas National Academy, the CSIR and seven leading universities of Kyrgyzstan, including KNU, BSU, AUCA, Ala-Too," it said, adding that the Kyrgyz Embassy in India and the Indian Embassy in Kyrgyzstan provided support for the event. The CSIR said the Indian delegation also held a meeting with Oktyabr Kapalbayev, Deputy Head of the Department of Political and Economic Studies and Head of the Strategic Planning and Reform Analysis Division at the Administration of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic in Bishkek.
Focus On Comparative Civilizational Studies
"Addressing the event, Ambekar emphasised the longstanding cultural relations between the peoples of Bharat and Kyrgyzstan, highlighting notable similarities in traditional cultural values, especially the focus on human values," the statement said. "He noted that the Mahabharata has had a profound impact on Bharatiya (Indian) culture, while the epic 'Manas' has been a central cultural force for the Kyrgyz people for millennia," it added.
Gaur said the newly set up International Centre for Civilizational Studies "Manas and Mahabharata" in Bishkek will serve as a platform for advancing scientific, educational and cultural cooperation between India and Kyrgyzstan. The centre will focus on comparative civilisational studies, the epic traditions of the Mahabharata and Manas, the cultural heritage of both countries, developing humanitarian diplomacy, promoting international scientific cooperation, and training emerging researchers, the CSIR honorary director added.
