The Centre of Russian Studies, SLL&CS, Jawaharlal Nehru University organised the Book Launch Programme on 13.08.2024 at 3.00pm in Room no. 212, SLL&CS-I, JNU, New Delhi, India. Four books were launched in this programme. More than 100 participatns participated offline and more than 50 participants joined online.

1. ‘Совсем не сложно’/ ‘कतई मुश्किल नहीं’ (Katai Mushkil Nahin)
Written by Dr. Madhav Kaushik and Translated by Dr. Sonu Saini
2. ‘Индийский Пушкин – Шайлендра’ / ‘भारत के पूश्किन – शैलेन्द्र’ “Indian Pushkin-Shailendra”
Written by Dr. Indrajit Singh Translated by Dr. Sonu Saini and Ms. Pragati Tipnis
3. ‘Введение в литературоведение’ (Introduction to Literature)
by Dr. Sonu Saini and Prof. Irina Poplavskaya
4. ‘Русский язык в упражнениях’ (Russian in Exercises) by Prof. S.A. Khavronina and Prof. A.I. Shirochenskya

Among the honourable panellists were

⦁ Dr. Madhav Kaushik, Poet President, Sahitya Akademi
⦁ Dr. Indrajeet Singh, Writer, Former Principal, Kendriya Vidyalya
⦁ Prof. Serafima A. Khavronina, Author, Book “Russian in Exercises”
⦁ Mr. Evgeniy N. Reznichenko, Executive Director Institute of Translation
⦁ Prof. Svetlana Y. Remizova, General Director Russkiy Yizik Publishing House
⦁ Ms. Yulia Arayeva, Counsellor (Culture), Embassy of Russian Federation in India
⦁ Ms. Ekaterina S. Dyniak, Head, Institute of Russian Language Russian House, N. Delhi
⦁ Prof. Irina A. Poplavskaya, Author, Professor Tomsk State University, Russia
⦁ Prof. Ranjana Saxena Translator, Former HoD Dept. of SFUS, University of Delhi
⦁ Ms. Pragati Tipnis, Translator, General Secretary Hindustan Samaj, Russia.
⦁ Prof. Shoba Sivasankaran, Translator Dean, SLL&CS, JNU
⦁ Prof. Richa Swant, Chairperson, CRS, JNU
⦁ Prof. Ranjana Banerjee
⦁ Dr. Sonu Saini

The programme started with the welcome address by the Chairperson, CRS, JNU Prof. Richa Swant. Prof. Shoba Sivasankaran the Dean, SLL&CS, JNU of talked about how CRS is one the most active Centres in the School. She emphasized that the books translated from Hindi to Russian would help popularize Indian literature in Russia. She said Russian in Exercises has been the bible for students of Russian languages. She also thanked VK Global publications for their contribution in publication of foreign language books. Mr. Evgeniy N. Reznichenko, Executive Director Institute of Translation expressed his appreciation towards India for being the true friend of Russia. He applauded the efforts made by Association of Translators-Interpreters of Indian Rusists along with other translators in promoting literature through such translations.

The 4 books then were officially launched by the esteemed panel of guests. Ms. Yulia Arayeva, Counsellor (Culture), Embassy of Russian Federation in India highlighted at the importance of translation of Poetry as through poetry one can get acquainted to the soul of a nation. Such translations act like a bridge between the two nations. Ms. Ekaterina S. Dyniak, Head, Institute of Russian Language Russian House, N. Delhi expressed her happiness to join the event as these books will help Indian people to understand Russian soul as well as the books on language will help students in learning Russian.

Dr. Madhav Kaushik, Poet, President, Sahitya Akademi, the author of the book ‘Katai Mushkil Nahi’ reminiscences his youth how Russian literature influenced Indians, so much so that many of big cities in India have a street named after Leo Tolstoy. He addressed the students that they are lucky to read Russian Literature in Russian as it had immense effect on his generation of writers. He said that many of the books published by Sahitya Akademi are translations, one work is translated in many different Indian languages. He quoted “Indian literature is one written in many languages.” He also said translation connects people it is not just a bridge between countries but between two cultures.

Dr. Indrajeet Singh, Writer, Former Principal, Kendriya Vidyalya told the audience how he was inspired by words of Prof. Namvar Singh ji that Shailendra is people’s poet (Jankavi) and Raj Kapoor said that he is India’s Pushkin. In his book he explains in length how Shailendra and Pushkin have many similarities.

Professor Ranjana Saxena Translator, Former HoD Dept. of SFUS, University of Delhi who helped in making the book ‘Introduction to Literature: ’ by giving critical reviews about it. She highlighted at the significance of this book for literature students to understand theory of literature. As per Prof. Saxena ‘Russian in Exercises’ is the most faithful friend for students of Russian language.

Professor Irina A. Poplavskaya, Tomsk State University, Russia theco-author of the book Introduction to Literature told that the book ‘Introduction to Literature: Handbook on Theory, Practice and Analysis of a Literary Text’ is a result of around 10-year collaboration between Tomsk University and JNU. She emphasized that this book will help Indian as well as Russian students in understanding the basic concepts of literature.

Professor Serafima A. Khavronina, Author, Book ‘Russian in Exercises’ sent her message through a video that she is happy to know that the updated version of her book is published in India. She told us the story of the making of this book. As this book is already published in 23 languages and its popular all over the world among students of Russian Language for more than five decades.

Professor Svetlana Y. Remizova, General Director Russkiy Yizik Publishing House noted that the Book ‘Russian in Exercises’ was being published in India without proper copyright. She explained what all is new in the updated edition. How they have removed obsolete words and included all updated information, new exercises, new pictures in consultation with the authors, etc.

Ms. Pragati Tipnis, Translator, General Secretary Hindustan Samaj. She explained that the book ‘Russian in Exercises’ helped her study Russian in 1980s. She told us about how while translating ‘Indian Pushkin-Shailendra’ she revived her experience from youth how Indian culture was popular in Soviet Russia.

The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Professor Ranjana Banerjee.

The programme was conducted by Dr. Sonu Saini. He concluded the programme with his poetry about Pushkin and Shailendra and dedicated it to Dr. Madhav Kaushik and Dr. Indrajeet Singh. This programme was sponsored by VK Global Publications.