Synopsis
The Ambassador of India to the Czech Republic, Ravish Kumar, visited the Oriental Institute in Prague, which is one of Europe's oldest centers for Indology research, to foster the India-Czech relationship and discuss cultural and educational collaborations.Key Takeaways
- Ambassador Ravish Kumar's visit to the Oriental Institute.
- Oriental Institute established in 1922, focusing on Indology.
- Department of South Asia studies various aspects of South and Southeast Asia.
- Historical ties between India and the Czech Republic.
- Increased educational exchanges and visa facilitation for Indian professionals.
Prague, Feb 11 (NationPress) Ravish Kumar, India's Ambassador to the Czech Republic, visited the Oriental Institute of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic in Prague to engage with officials conducting research in Indology.
Established in 1922, the Oriental Institute stands as one of Europe’s oldest centers dedicated to Indology research, as highlighted by the Embassy of India in Prague on X, showcasing the Ambassador's discussions with Director Tana Dluhosova.
The Department of South Asia (DSA) at this institute concentrates on the exploration of the culture, history, society, religions, languages, and literatures of South and Southeast Asia. Special attention is devoted to Indology, which encompasses the study of Indian history, culture, languages, and literature.
The ties between India and the former Czechoslovakia, now the Czech Republic, have historically been warm and friendly, with connections tracing back to medieval times.
Prague has a rich tradition in Indology, commencing with the establishment of a Sanskrit Chair at the esteemed Charles University in the 1850s. Currently, Indian languages such as Hindi, Bengali, and Tamil are part of the university's curriculum.
Many Indian and Czech educational institutions are collaborating on various exchange programs, particularly in technical universities and medical colleges.
In January 2020, the Czech Foreign Minister revealed an increase in the quota for expedited visas for highly skilled professionals from India. Furthermore, the Czech Government has committed to enhancing the preferential arrangement through Project Student, aimed at facilitating the movement of Indian students and researchers.
During a roundtable discussion of Indologists at Charles University in 2018, the former President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, stated, "Indology has not merely united our two nations. It has significantly influenced the development of Modern India, rediscovering its rich past and instigating a cultural renaissance while enabling India to embrace modernity without forsaking its cultural heritage."
He further remarked, "From Vidyasagar to Vivekananda and from Tagore to Mahatma Gandhi, the socio-cultural modernization of India is founded on a synthesis of Eastern and Western thought. I am pleased to learn that Yoga and Ayurveda are receiving substantial interest and support in the Czech Republic."
