The Samiti in association with the Embassy of Uzbekistan organised an interactive session on “In the Path of Mahatma – India-Uzbekistan Towards Peace and Non-Violence” in Gandhi Smriti on February 14, 2020. HE, Mr. Azamjon I Mansurov, First Secretary of the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan was the guest of honour on the occasion. In his address to participating students from Andhra Education Sr. Sec. School, ITO and other members, Mr. Azamjon spoke about the cultural heritage of Uzbekistan.
Speaking on the occasion, he said, “Relations between Uzbekistan and India have their roots deep in history. There are frequent references to Kamboja, which is stated to include parts of present day Uzbekistan, in Sanskrit and Pali literature. Sakas participated in Mahabharata on the side of Kauravas. Ancient trade route ‘uttarpath’ passed through Uzbekistan. In later years, Fergana, Samarkand, Bukhara in Uzbekistan emerged as major towns on the trade routes linking India with Europe and China.” He further added, “India had close interaction with the Uzbek SSR during the Soviet times. Indian leaders often visited Tashkent and other places”.
He also added that three Uzbek educational institutions, nationwide, promote studies of Hindi language, from primary to post-graduate level and said that Uzbek TV channels regularly show Indian films and serials.
He also mentioned about the artistes from Uzbekistan who paid a musical tribute to Mahatma Gandhi in Gandhi Smriti on October 20, 2018, when Mahatma Gandhi’s Autobiography translated into the Uzbek language was gifted to Gandhi Smriti.
Adding more colours to the programme, children from the Andhra Sr Sec School presented Mahatma Gandhi’s favourite hymn Lead Kindly Light and Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram. Uzbek artistes also presented a musical panorama of their culture that included folk songs and dances adding colour and vibrancy to Indo-Uzbek relations.
A temporary exhibition on books of the culture of Uzbekistan was also organised on the occasion and made open for public viewing in the Gandhi Smriti gallery.