Mysore/Mysuru: Suttur Mutt Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji released newly appointed Bangalore North University Vice-Chancellor Dr. Niranjan Vanalli’s work titled ‘Tashakur Tajikistan’ at a programme organised by Centre for Culture Communication and Creativity at Sri Shivarathri Rajendra Bhavan on M.G. Road here yesterday.

Speaking on the occasion, Sri Deshikendra Swamiji said that most of the achievers in the country have a rural background and Dr. Niranjan Vanalli is the latest addition to the list.

Recalling the journey of Dr. Vanalli as a student and faculty of University of Mysore (UoM) till he was appointed as the Vice-Chancellor of Bangalore North University, the Seer said that Dr. Vanalli, who served in the Journalism Department, is well-versed in writing.

Pointing out that Dr. Vanalli, in his work, has captured the life of Tajikistan residents in his work excellently, he wished that Dr. Vanalli comes up with more such works in the future.

The book author Dr. Niranjan Vanalli, in his address, said that he saw Tajikistan as an altogether different nation than that described in internet. Recalling his stint in Tajikistan as the Director of Indian Cultural Centre there for 15 months, Dr. Vanalli said that content regarding Tajikistan found in the internet presented a negative picture of the country, painting it as a country of crimes and violence. But he saw an altogether different Tajikistan when he actually went there on assignment, he pointed out.

Maintaining that Tajikistanis have a great affection for Indian culture, he said that the people there in fact give much preference for art and culture.

Retired Kuvempu Institute of Kannada Studies (KIKS)-Mysuru faculty Prof. H.S. Harishankar spoke about the book. Noted writer and former Kuvempu Bhasha Bharathi Chairman Prof. Pradhan Gurudatta and others were present on the occasion.