Ukraine, Russia delegates join meditation at VGRC Surat; 200+ attend
Synopsis
At a Surat summit already buzzing with global investment talk, an unusual scene unfolded: Ukrainian and Russian embassy delegates attended free meditation sessions on back-to-back days at Auro University's Sensorium — a rare moment of shared space for two nations at war, drawing over 200 participants in all.
Key Takeaways
Free meditation sessions at VGRC , held at Auro University, Hazira, Surat , have attracted over 200 participants as of 4 May 2025 .
Ukraine's Ambassador Oleksandr Polishchuk and Consul General Anna Zaichenko attended on Day 1.
Russian Embassy representatives Zlata Antusheva and Albert Safiullin participated on Day 2.
Sessions are conducted by the Sri Aurobindo Integral Life Center , daily from 9 am to 6 pm until 5 May .
Delegates from Japan , Gujarat Police , and state government departments also participated.
Free meditation sessions at the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC) in Surat have drawn over 200 participants, including delegates from the Ukrainian and Russian embassies, organisers confirmed on Sunday, 4 May 2025. The sessions, held at Auro University in Hazira, are scheduled to continue in multiple batches until 5 May.
About the Meditation Programme
The sessions are being conducted by the Sri Aurobindo Integral Life Center, running daily from 9 am to 6 pm for visiting delegates and summit attendees. Participants are guided through meditation at dedicated campus facilities, including a meditation hall and a sound garden known as the Sensorium.
High-Profile Delegates in Attendance
On the first day of the conference, Ukraine's Ambassador to India, Oleksandr Polishchuk, attended the session along with his wife, Kateryna Bila, and Anna Zaichenko, Consul General at the Ukrainian Embassy. On the second day, representatives from the Russian Embassy — including Zlata Antusheva, Head of Government Relations and Finance Sector, and Albert Safiullin, Head of Interregional Relations — also participated. Notably, the two delegations attended on consecutive days, a detail that has drawn attention given the ongoing conflict between the two nations.
International and Domestic Participation
Beyond the Ukrainian and Russian delegations, representatives from Japan also took part, underscoring the broad international footprint of the VGRC. Officials from the Gujarat Police and various state government departments were among the domestic participants. Organisers said both the Ukrainian and Russian delegations expressed satisfaction after the experience, with officials confirming positive feedback from all attending groups.
Scale and Logistics
Sessions are being organised in staggered batches from morning to evening to accommodate the high volume of visitors.
Point of View
Softer expression here. While the meditation sessions are a peripheral VGRC activity, their symbolic weight is disproportionate: Surat, a city known for diamonds and textiles, briefly became a space where two warring nations shared the same hall. Whether by design or coincidence, this is the kind of quiet diplomacy India rarely advertises but increasingly leverages.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the meditation sessions at VGRC Surat?
Free meditation sessions are being organised by the Sri Aurobindo Integral Life Center at Auro University in Hazira, Surat, as part of the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC). Running daily from 9 am to 6 pm until 5 May 2025, the sessions have attracted over 200 participants including international delegates.
Which countries' delegates attended the VGRC meditation sessions?
Delegates from the Ukrainian and Russian embassies attended on consecutive days, along with representatives from Japan. Gujarat Police officials and state government department representatives also participated.
Who from the Ukrainian Embassy attended the VGRC meditation session?
Ukraine's Ambassador to India, Oleksandr Polishchuk, attended along with his wife Kateryna Bila and Consul General Anna Zaichenko on the first day of the conference.
Who represented the Russian Embassy at the VGRC meditation sessions?
Zlata Antusheva, Head of Government Relations and Finance Sector, and Albert Safiullin, Head of Interregional Relations, represented the Russian Embassy on the second day of the conference.
How long will the VGRC meditation sessions continue?
The sessions are scheduled to run in multiple batches from 9 am to 6 pm daily until 5 May 2025, with organisers confirming arrangements are in place for all interested participants to attend.
