Indian diplomat Dr. Mukesh Kumar Srivastava, who has concluded his tenure as Director of the Amrita Sher-Gil Cultural Centre (ASCC), Embassy of India in Budapest, has won widespread appreciation for delivering his farewell message in the Hungarian language, a gesture that has been hailed as a reflection of the deep cultural ties between India and Hungary.
Sharing a farewell video and a social media post in Hungarian, Dr. Srivastava thanked the Government and people of Hungary, the Indian community, cultural institutions, media representatives and academic partners for their support in strengthening bilateral cultural relations. Reflecting on his tenure, he described his years in Hungary as an enriching and unforgettable experience, saying the country would always hold a special place in his heart.
During his tenure, the Amrita Sher-Gil Cultural Centre organised and supported a wide range of cultural, literary, educational, yoga, Ayurveda and artistic events, significantly expanding people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
According to Amar Kumar Sinha, a senior member of the Indian community who has lived in Hungary for more than five decades, the Centre organised more than 100 cultural programmes annually under Dr. Srivastava’s leadership—an achievement he described as unprecedented. He credited the diplomat’s dedication and enthusiasm for strengthening India’s cultural presence in Hungary.
The farewell message prompted an outpouring of tributes from Hungarians, members of the Indian diaspora, artists, journalists and long-time collaborators, many of whom praised Dr. Srivastava’s humility, accessibility and commitment to building lasting friendships beyond official diplomacy. Several also highlighted his efforts to learn the Hungarian language, saying it helped foster stronger engagement with local communities.
Among those paying tribute were former Zugló Deputy Mayor László Várnai, former ASCC Director Tejpal Singh Rawat, Vice President of the Hungarian Yoga Teachers’ Association Anita Bere, journalist Alpar Kato, and Bharatanatyam artist Neethu E. Mohan, who described him as a mentor and an inspiring leader. Many others commended his professionalism, warmth and unwavering support for artists and cultural initiatives.
In a particularly touching gesture, Zoltán Hosszú, Chairman of the Hungarian Society for Krishna Consciousness, said he and his colleagues travelled from the Krishna Valley Festival to Budapest solely to bid Dr. Srivastava farewell. He noted that what began as an official association had evolved into a friendship built on trust and mutual respect.
The overwhelming response to Dr. Srivastava’s farewell underscores the enduring people-to-people bonds between India and Hungary. His tenure, marked by extensive cultural outreach and meaningful engagement with Hungarian society, leaves behind a lasting legacy of cultural diplomacy and friendship between the two nations.
