15.08.2026
Sushree Indira Gazieva has been awarded the Afanasy Nikitin Russian-Indian Prize for her significant contribution to the development of Russian-Indian relations
On August 15, 2026, in honor of the 80th anniversary of India's independence, Mr. Nair Devadathan Divakaran—head of the "NRI Club" (an autonomous non-profit organization providing charitable and social assistance to Indian compatriots)—presented
Indira Adilievna Gazieva, a Hindi instructor at the Russian State University for the Humanities (RSUH), with the Afanasy Nikitin Russian-Indian Prize and a medal recognizing her significant contribution to the development of Russian-Indian relations and the strengthening of friendship and cooperation between the peoples of Russia and India.
Background:
The Afanasy Nikitin International Public Prize is a prestigious award presented for outstanding contributions to the development of Russian-Indian relations and the strengthening of friendship, mutual understanding, and multifaceted cooperation between the peoples of Russia and India.
Key information about the prize:
Founder: The "NRI Club" (Autonomous Non-Profit Organization "NRI Club — Indian Compatriots in Russia") in Moscow. Head: Mr. Nair Devadathan Divakaran.
Significance of the name:
The award is named after Afanasy Nikitin, the great 15th-century merchant and traveler from Tver and author of the travelogue *A Journey Beyond Three Seas*; he was the first to open India to Russia and became a historic symbol of friendship between the two civilizations.
Award categories:
The prize is awarded to diplomats, scholars, journalists, and figures from the fields of culture, art, business, medicine, and sports, as well as public figures who have made a significant personal contribution to bilateral ties. A landmark event: Another major award ceremony took place in Moscow on August 15, 2026, coinciding with the celebration of the 80th anniversary of India's independence.
