Speech by Hon'ble President of India, Shrimati Pratibha Devisingh Patil, at the Function of School No. 653, at St. Petersburg

I am particularly pleased to meet the students, teachers and staff of a school which has links with India, since its inception. Moreover, 2009 is 'The Year of Youth' in Russia and also 'The Year of India in Russia'. This makes my visit to your school special.

I sincerely thank the St. Petersburg authorities who have lent their support to this school, which was established in 1957, on the 10th anniversary of India's Independence. It was an important gesture aimed at bringing the two cultures closer, and helping to develop relations between our countries. This school is a tribute to our great leaders who decided to establish this school which till today continues to be a symbol of India-Russia friendship. I look forward to the students of this school as well those across your vast nation, to carry forward our age old relationship.

I have just seen the performances of your school and am greatly impressed by your talent. For a while I felt as if I was in India. I congratulate all the girls who took part in the performance for their splendid performance. I am told that your school takes part in events organized during Indian festivals and important national days of India. In the painting competition - "India through the eyes of Russian children", held this year on Holi, the festival of colours in India, students of the school participated enthusiastically. If you can paint India so well, being thousands of kilometers away, I am sure you would love to visit India, which is a land of friendly people and marvelous beauty and diversity. I believe that there should be inter-action between the youth of our nations.

The people of India have always had a strong emotional attachment towards Russia. The mention of Russia evokes an image of friendship and a feeling of respect in our country. India has always considered the people of Russia as their true and enduring friends. The people of Russia have the same warm feelings for India, as has been my experience during my visits to Moscow and to St. Petersburg. You children will be the architects of the future of the world and the cementing force of our future India-Russia relations. Every generation looks to its youth with expectation, as in its children, they see innocence with a beacon of hope. It is popularly said in India:-

"Bacche mun ke sachhe, 
Sarey jag ke ankh ke tare".

I always tell children that as you grow-up you should keep the values of universal tolerance uppermost in your minds. India and Russia, both are large, multi-ethnic, multi-religious, pluralistic societies and both have common values of tolerance and understanding and respect for different faiths. These values are important for building peaceful societies. Exposure to other cultures invariably widens your horizons and knowledge.

As Mahatma Gandhi said, and I quote, "I do not want my house to be walled in on all sides and my windows to be stuffed. I want the cultures of all lands to be blown about my house, as freely as possible. But I refuse to be blown off my feet by any." Unquote. In the same way, towering figures in Russia in literature, poetry and science have also recognized these universal values. It is, therefore, not an accident that it was Leo Tolstoy who inspired Mahatma Gandhi's early experiments in truth, non-violence and self-realisation through community service in South Africa.

Students should utilize their years in school and college to the full, for their self-development so that they can be responsible citizens of their countries. In a rapidly changing world, culture, education and science & technology will increasingly determine the future progress of our respective countries. Discipline, hard work and dedication, on the one hand and a questioning mind and hunger for knowledge on the other hand, are the seeds of research, innovation and change for a better society. I am confident that you will be the instruments of change; a change that will bring peace, prosperity, security and happiness in your community, nation and the world.

I will always fondly remember my visit to your beautiful city and this day especially, as your smiles and enthusiasm have left me with a feeling of optimism that both our nations will continue to have deep friendship in the years ahead. As a token of my appreciation for your school I am happy to announce the donation of books, computer software and a digital projector.

I once again give my warm greetings and wishes to the students, teachers and the management of the school. Today is Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan's birthday. He was our President and a great philosopher. Recognizing the importance of knowledge, his birthday is celebrated as Teachers' Day in India. I therefore would like to give my special good wishes to all the teachers of this school, on this day.

Thank you.