Russian and Indian schools launch the cultural and educational project “Centre of Leo Tolstoy and Mahatma Gandhi”
The international cultural and educational “Centre of Leo Tolstoy and Mahatma Gandhi” (hereinafter referred to as project) is created within the framework of the Indian phase of the International and interregional social and cultural Program “BRICS People Choosing Life” (hereinafter referred to as program) at the initiative of its organizer, Regional public organization “BRICS. World of Traditions”, Russia, Northern Administrative District of Moscow (hereinafter referred to as organization).
The project’s partners include the State budgetary educational institution of Moscow “School No. 1409” and Delhi Public School, Dwarka, India, which will host the Centre of two non-violence apologists: the Russian writer and philosopher Leo Tolstoy and Indian wiseman, “father of the Indian nation” Mahatma Gandhi.
The abovementioned Centre will be aimed at profound studying of life, activities, outlook and philosophy of two great teachers and robust philosophical ties between them, as well as popularizing the moral and spiritual heritage of two non-violence apologists and learning Russian language, culture and literature.
The project was presented on December 13th, 2022, at the premises of Delhi School, Dwarka, with a ceremony of signing the Agreement of Cooperation between two schools in this project. The document was signed by the DPS, Dwarka, Principal Ms. Sunita Tanwar.
Irina Ilicheva, Moscow school Principal, who joined the Agreement signing ceremony in New Delhi online, will put her signature to the document during the visit of School, Dwarka, delegation to Moscow in May-June 2023 at the unveiling ceremony of the exhibition “Leo Tolstoy and Mahatma Gandhi: a Unique Heritage” at the premises of School No. 1409.
On the way to creating the Centre, on December 3rd, 2023, at Moscow school Lyudmila Sekacheva, President of the RPO “BRICS. World of Traditions”, and manager of the program met the school Principal Irina Ilicheva on the matter of project’s presentation at the Indian school and further joint work of two schools for its implementation with the contribution provided by the organization.
Dmitry Kurbatov, the program’s humanitarian track curator, Svetlana Tsukerman, deputy principal for international projects, and Yulia Akmolova, deputy principal for tutorial work participated in the meeting.
Besides, Yulia Kopytina, Svetlana Pynina and Anna Zagarskih, teachers of art, were present. They offered huge assistance in preparing the exposition of the exhibition by young artists and designers from school No. 1409, which was shown at Delhi School, Dwarka, and Russian House in Mumbai as part of the charity action “Children to Children”. Then Moscow students’ works were gifted to Indian orphanages and the Charity foundation for the protections of kids from slums.
Lyudmila Sekacheva and Dmitry Kurbatov, warmly welcomed by the Principal Irina Ilicheva and her colleagues, showed to the audience a bright video reel of the event at Delhi Public School, Dwarka, on December 13th, prepared by the professional film crew comprising Anastasia Shkitina, director, and Dmitry Chiglintsev, central television operator, thus sparking school teachers’ sincere interest and joy.
An important part of the meeting was awarding the school’s authorities and teachers, headed by the Principal, with Certificates of Honor from the Regional public organization “BRICS. World of Traditions” for huge help in preparing the exposition of the painting exhibition “Children to Children” and significant contribution to creating the cultural and educational centre of Leo Tolstoy and Mahatma Gandhi amid implementing the Indian phase of the Program “BRICS People Choosing Life”.
Apart from the awards, the Program’s partners from School No. 1409 received memorable gifts from School, Dwarka, namely the booklet-album “Mahatma Gandhi” made by Indian students, and sweets for pupils from Moscow.
The organization “BRICS. World of Traditions” gave the miniature wooden statuette of Mahatma Gandhi brought from India for the exposition of future school exhibition “Tolstoy – Gandhi”.
The issues of inviting the Indian delegation from School, Dwarka, provisionally in May-June 2023, as well as the plan of Indian guests’ visit and preparing the event of unveiling the exhibition “Tolstoy and Gandhi” at school No.1409 were discussed at the meeting.
The event gave all of its participants positive energy necessary for the two capital schools’ further successful implementation of cultural and educational projects and strengthening friendship and mutual understanding.