India and Kyrgyzstan Launch International Centre for Civilizational Studies ‘Manas and Mahabharata’

India and Kyrgyzstan strengthened their cultural and academic partnership with the inauguration of the International Centre for Civilizational Studies “Manas and Mahabharata” in Bishkek. It is established by the Manas National Academy in collaboration with the Centre for the Studies of International Relations (CSIR), New Delhi, this new centre aims to promote the comparative civilizational research, cultural diplomacy and academic exchanges.

Landmark Initiative in India-Kyrgyzstan Relations

The newly inaugurated International Centre for the Civilizational Studies represents the major milestone in the cultural relationship between India and Kyrgyzstan.

The centre seeks to deepen the understanding of two of Asia’s greatest epic traditions which are the Mahabharata of India and the Manas epic of Kyrgyzstan, encouraging interdisciplinary research in the areas like history, literature, philosophy and international relations.

This inauguration also highlighted the role of the cultural diplomacy in strengthening bilateral ties beyond traditional political and economic cooperation.

Aim of the ‘Manas and Mahabharata’ Centre

This centre serves as the foundation for long-term research, nomenclature and cultural collaboration.

The major aims are as follows,

• Civilisation comparison
• Studies of Mahabharata and Manas epics
• Promotion of cultural dialogue
• Humanitarian diplomacy
• International research collaboration
• Exchange of academic experience and education of researchers
• Historical and cultural studies throughout Eurasia

Organisers also states that this institute will develop research collaboration and provide chances to the scientists, students and culture specialists of both nations.

Trilateral Agreements to Expand Academic Collaboration

One of the major highlight of this inauguration was the signing of trilateral cooperation agreements between the,

• Manas National Academy
• Centre for Studies of International Relations (CSIR), New Delhi
• Seven leading universities in Kyrgyzstan

Among the participating institutions were,

• Kyrgyz National University (KNU)
• Bishkek State University (BSU)
• American University of Central Asia (AUCA)
• Ala-Too International University

These agreements aim to facilitate the academic partnerships, joint research projects, faculty exchanges and collaborative educational programmes.

Release of the First Hindi Translation of the Kyrgyz Epic ‘Manas’

One of the most important cultural achievements announced during the event was the release of the first Hindi translation of the Kyrgyz national epic, Manas.

This translation was prepared by Professor Hem Chandra Pande and Professor Ramakant Dwivedi.

According to the Professor Dwivedi, the Hindi version is based on to the Russian poetic adaptation by Mar Baizhiev, a People’s Writer of the Kyrgyz Republic.

The publication covers all three major sections of the epic are,

• Manas
• Semetey
• Seitek

The translation introduces the Indian readers to Kyrgyzstan’s rich literary heritage while strengthening comparative studies of epic traditions.

Strengthening Cultural and Civilizational Dialogue

While addressing the gathering, Sunil Ambekar has highlighted the centuries-old cultural links between India and Kyrgyzstan.

He also observed that while the Mahabharata has profoundly shaped the India’s civilizational identity, the Manas epic occupies the similarly central place in Kyrgyz cultural history.

He described the establishment of the centre as the historic initiative which celebrates shared human values and promotes deeper mutual understanding between the two civilizations.