The International Centre for Civilizational Studies “Manas and Mahabharata” was officially inaugurated in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, alongside the presentation of the first Hindi translation of the renowned Kyrgyz epic “Manas”.
An Indian delegation visited Kyrgyzstan from July 4-7, 2026, to participate in the official opening ceremony of the International Centre for Civilizational Studies “Manas and Mahabharata.” The Centre is established by the Manas National Academy in collaboration with the Centre for Studies of International Relations (CSIR), New Delhi, India.
As part of the ceremony, trilateral cooperation agreements were also signed between the Manas National Academy, the CSIR, and 7 leading universities of Kyrgyzstan (KNU, BSU, AUCA, Ala-Too, etc.). The event also featured the presentation of the first Hindi translation of the Kyrgyz epic “Manas.” The Kyrgyz Embassy in India and the Indian Embassy in Kyrgyzstan provided support for the event.
Mr. Sunil Ambekar, a member of the National Executive Committee and Head of Media and Communications at the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), was the Chief Guest for the event. The delegation also included Professor Hem Chandra Pande, a distinguished linguist and former Director of the Centre for Russian Language and Literature at Jawaharlal Nehru University; Professor Ramakant Dwivedi, Chairman of the India–Central Asia Foundation and Director of the MERI Centre for International Studies; and Dr. Punit Gaur, Honorary Director of the CSIR.
Ambassador Singh participated in the launch of the Hindi translation of the Kyrgyz epic ‘Manas’ and the official inauguration of the International Center for Civilisational Studies ‘Manas and Mahabharata’ organised by National Academy ‘Manas’ in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic. Indian… pic.twitter.com/dTkVYAd2oN
— India in Kyrgyz Republic (@IndiaInKyrgyz) July 6, 2026
The Indian delegation held a bilateral meeting with Mr. Oktyabr Kapalbayev, Deputy Head of the Department of Political and Economic Studies and Head of the Strategic Planning and Reform Analysis Division at the Administration of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, in Bishkek.
Subsequently, Mr. Oktyabr Kapalbayev participated in the event alongside Mr. Durusbek Kozuev, Deputy Minister of Science, Higher Education and Innovation of the Kyrgyz Republic; Ms. Salkyn Sarnogoeva, Deputy Minister of Culture, Information, Sports, and Youth Policy of the Kyrgyz Republic; and Ambassador Birender Singh Yadav, Ambassador of India to the Kyrgyz Republic. The event was also attended by political leaders, former ambassadors, renowned Manas reciters, scholars, and students.
Mr. Sunil Ambekar emphasised the longstanding cultural relations between the peoples of Bharat and Kyrgyzstan, highlighting notable similarities in traditional cultural values, especially the focus on human values. He noted that the Mahabharata has had a profound impact on Bharatiya culture, while the epic ‘Manas’ has been a central cultural force for the Kyrgyz people for millennia. Mr. Ambekar commended Professors Ramakant Dwivedi and Hem Chandra Pandey for their significant contributions as translators. He described the event as a historic initiative by the National Academy Manas, acknowledged the dedicated efforts of Professor Nazira Aaly Kyzy, President of the National Academy of “Manas,” and Ms Gulzat, and extended his best wishes for the opening of the International Centre for Civilizational Studies “Manas and Mahabharata.”
Dr. Punit Gaur stated that the new centre will serve as a platform for advancing scientific, educational, and cultural cooperation between India and Kyrgyzstan. He noted that the centre aligns with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proposal to establish a Civilizational Dialogue Forum to foster connections across Eurasian cultures. Dr. Gaur explained that the centre will prioritise the study of epic heritage, civilizational processes, history, culture, intercultural dialogue, and humanitarian diplomacy. The Centre will focus on comparative civilizational studies, the epic traditions of the Mahabharata and Manas, the cultural heritage of both countries, developing humanitarian diplomacy, promoting international scientific cooperation, and training emerging researchers.
A highlight of the ceremony was also the presentation of the first Hindi translation of the Kyrgyz epic “Manas” by distinguished Indian scholars Professor Hem Chandra Pande and Professor Ramakant Dwivedi. In his address, Professor Ramakant Dwivedi explained that the translation is based on the Russian poetic retelling by Mar Baizhiev, People’s Writer of the Kyrgyz Republic, and encompasses all three parts of the epic poem: “Manas,” “Semetey,” and “Seitek.” He stated that the publication seeks to introduce Indian readers to the Kyrgyz epic heritage, promote academic cooperation between the two countries, and enhance collaboration in epic studies, civilizational studies, and humanitarian diplomacy.
