The 'Manas and Mahabharata' Center for Civilizations Studies was established in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, through the cooperation of the Centre for International Relations Studies (CSIR) from New Delhi and the National Manas Academy. This event marks the creation of a new academic and cultural bridge between India and Central Asia.
The opening ceremony took place during the visit of an Indian delegation to Kyrgyzstan, which ran from July 4 to 7. As part of this event, the first translated version of the Kyrgyz epic 'Manas' into Hindi was released, which is one of the country's most important cultural works.
Agreements on trilateral cooperation were signed between the National Manas Academy, CSIR, and seven leading universities in Kyrgyzstan, including KNU, BSU, AUCA, and Ala-Too. The center plans to focus its activities on comparative civilizational studies, the study of the epic traditions of 'Mahabharata' and 'Manas', shared cultural heritage, humanistic diplomacy, and training young researchers.
Sunil Ambedkar, a member of the RSS national executive committee and media head, who served as the chief guest, emphasized that India and Kyrgyzstan share long-standing cultural ties based on common human values. He noted that the 'Mahabharata' has profoundly influenced Indian civilization, while 'Manas' has shaped Kyrgyz cultural consciousness over centuries.
Dr. Punit Gaur, honorary director of CSIR, stated that this center will promote scientific, educational, and cultural interaction between the two states, aligning with India's broader civilizational dialogue with Eurasia. The Indian delegation, which included scholars Hem Chandra Pandey and Ramkant Dwivedi, involved in translating 'Manas' into Hindi, also held meetings with high-ranking Kyrgyz officials and visited significant cultural sites in Bishkek.
