The Russians are coming, again

A Russian leader will be visiting the Indian Institute of Technology - Bombay (IIT-B) on Wednesday almost 50 years after the visit of Leonid Brezhnev, who lead communist country from 1964 to 1982.

A Russian leader will be visiting the Indian Institute of Technology - Bombay (IIT-B) on Wednesday almost 50 years after the visit of Leonid Brezhnev, who lead communist country from 1964 to 1982.

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Brezhnev visited the Powai campus on December 18, 1961, and even planted a sapling to mark his visit. On Wednesday afternoon, President Dmitry Medvedev will not plant a sapling, but will interact with more than 200 students and will visit the institute’s Centre of Excellence in Nanoelectronics. The elite engineering institute owes a lot to Russia. From 1966 to 1973, the Russian government (then USSR) helped the institute with equipment and expert services through UNESCO.

But are there any ties to rekindle the old relationship IIT-B shared with Russia in the offing? “We will look forward to re-establishing ties with academic and research institute in Russia as a follow up to the visit,” said IIT-B director Devang Khakhar.

The entire campus, which is already swamped with Mood I (their annual cultural festival) participants, is preparing for the President’s visit. A part of the campus has been cordoned off for the President and his delegation, which includes the deputy prime minister, foreign minter, the Russian ambassador and the Russian press.