India Turkmenistan Joint Issue

India enjoys friendly and historical ties with Turkmenistan. Archaeological finds in South Turkmenistan including near Ashgabat have revealed their contacts with Indus Valley Civilization. Traces of Soma drink preparation (mentioned in Rig Veda) in the ruins of Gonur Depe archeological site in Mary province supports the theory of early civilizational links between the two countries. Several Buddhist manuscripts, coins and Buddhist statue found in the ruins of Merv (Mary province) suggest continuity of cultural and trade linkages. ‘Turkmen Gate’ built in Delhi in memory of great Turkmen Saint Sha ms-ul-Arifeen Shah Turkmen Bayabani, who is believed to have lived in Delhi during 13th century, also bears testimony to this friendship.

In modern times bilateral relations have been strengthened by regular high-level visits. Hon’ble President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov visited India in May 2010. Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi visited Turkmenistan in July 2015. During these visits, several significant MoUs and agreements were signed covering areas such as Science & Technology, Medicine and Tourism etc.

Indian movies and TV serials are popular with Turkmen people. Similarly, Indian music especially Hindi songs also hold a special place in the hearts of Turkmen people. Indian film festivals are held on regular basis in different cities in Turkmenistan. ‘India Cultural Week’ including exhibition, dance performance, film and food festival was celebrated in Ashgabat in May 2017 to mark the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Turkmenistan.

Central Asia’s first Yoga and Traditional Medicine Centre was inaugurated by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India in Ashgabat in July 2015. A Yoga Teacher and an Ayurveda Expert have been deputed to the Centre from India and hold yoga classes / consultations to interested people. They also teach at the State Medical University of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat.

India provides training for Turkmen nationals under its Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme. Since the inception of the programme for Turkmenistan in 1994, over 400 Turkmen nationals have been trained in various courses. In addition, Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) provides Scholarships to students from Turkmenistan to pursue graduation, post-graduation and Ph.D. There are currently over 300 students from Turkmenistan pursuing their higher education in reputed universities in India. In 2010, a Hindi Chair was established by India in Azadi Institute of World Languages, Ashgabat where Hindi is being taught to around 60 university students.

The joint issue of Commemorative Postage Stamp celebrates the natural friendship of India and Turkmenistan through the traditional art of singing and dancing i.e. Sankirtana and Kushtdepdi. These traditional dance and music forms of India and Turkmenistan are part of UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Sankirtana encompasses an array of arts performed on major religious occasions and various stages in the life of the Vaishnava people of the Manipur plains. Sankirtana practices Centre on the temple, where performers narrate the lives and deeds of Krishna through song and dance. Sankirtana works in harmony with the natural world, whose presence is acknowledged through its many rituals.

Kushtdepdi is a performing art involving creative poeticizing focused on good feelings and wishes. It involves singing with vocal improvisation and dancing hand movements of the hands, gestures and footsteps in accordance with the tune of the song. The rite serves as a way for conveying good wishes and is an inseparable part of ceremonies and national celebrations.