Puri: Internationally-acclaimed sand artist from Odisha Manas Kumar Sahoo has created a special sand animation artwork to welcome Russian President Vladimir Putin on his visit to India.
The finalist of India’s Got Talent and India’s leading sand animation performer took almost 2 hours to complete the artwork, symbolising friendship, peace, and the long-standing bond between India and Russia, on the golden beach of Puri in Odisha. “Art has the power to connect nations. This sand animation
is my way of expressing respect and strengthening the message of peace and global harmony,” Manas said.
According to reports, Putin has departed from Russia for his two-day State visit to India and is expected to land in New Delhi at around 4.30 pm. This is his first visit here since the Ukraine conflict began in 2022 and marks the 25th anniversary of the Strategic Partnership between India and Russia, established in October 2000.
Putin had last visited the country in December 2021.