03.10.2025
Visit of Mr. Harry Singh, Doctoral Candidate and Senior Research Fellow, Jawaharlal Nehru University (India)
October, 22, 29 2025
Russian State University for the Humanities (RSUH), Moscow Russia
The Russian State University for the Humanities (RSUH), Moscow, had the honour of hosting Mr. Harry Singh, Doctoral Candidate and Senior Research Fellow at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), India, and a well-known Disability Rights Activist, on 22 and 29 October 2025.
During his visit, Mr. Singh delivered two lectures to the students of the Hindi Department, focusing on Inclusive Education in India and India–Russia Relations. This visit marked his second academic interaction with RSUH students, following his earlier participation in the First Futurological Forum organised by the non-governmental organisation Smart Civilization in 2023. At that time, the Russian students were beginning their journey in learning Hindi; two years later, they were able to attend Mr. Singh’s lecture entirely in Hindi, a testament to their dedication and progress.
In his lecture on Inclusive Education, Mr. Singh discussed India’s legislative and policy developments, particularly the Persons with Disabilities (PwD) Act, 1995 and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. He highlighted the key provisions of these Acts, including the expansion to 21 categories of disabilities, the increase in reservation quotas for persons with disabilities in higher education and employment, and the implementation of the Accessible India Campaign aimed at improving physical and digital accessibility. He also emphasized the inclusive vision of the National Education Policy (NEP 2020), which seeks to ensure equitable access and support for learners with disabilities in India’s educational institutions.
In his second lecture, devoted to India–Russia Relations, Mr. Singh explored the historical and contemporary dimensions of bilateral cooperation. He traced the longstanding friendship between India and the Soviet Union, noting the foundation of mutual trust and solidarity established during that period, and discussed the continued partnership in strategic sectors such as defense, energy, science, technology, and education. Mr. Singh particularly underlined the need to enhance people-to-people ties and promote student exchange programmes to strengthen cultural and academic understanding between the two nations.
During his stay, Mr. Singh also met Professor Indira Gazieva, Hindi teacher, and Dr. Svetlana Javadova, Director of Inclusive Education at RSUH, to exchange perspectives on the challenges and best practices in promoting inclusion within higher education in Russia and India. Dr. Javadova kindly assured Mr. Singh of her support in facilitating surveys among students with disabilities and assisting him in his ongoing research work.
RSUH expresses its sincere appreciation to Mr. Harry Singh for his insightful lectures and fruitful discussions, which enriched the academic environment of the university and provided valuable inspiration for students and faculty alike. The University looks forward to continued collaboration and academic exchange with Indian institutions in the spirit of friendship and mutual learning.
