from R Santosh Kumar
President
Indian Community in Sakhalin
Russia

Sakhalin, Russia, Aug 18: Sakhalin is located in the Russian Far East, just 42 km from the northern tip of Japan. Sakhalin Island stretches 948km from North to South and covers an area of 87 thousand sq km.

Views from Sakhalin

Sakhalin's climate is variable and extreme. In winter the temperature can be as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius and in summer as high as plus 30oC. Some 600,000 people inhabit Sakhalin and since last couple of years, a few Indians stay in Sakhalin, many of them serving in the oil and gas industry.

For many years, Russia, the world's largest gas exporter, has been a reliable trading partner with Europe. Now, the development of vast reserves offshore Sakhalin on the doorstep of Asia's growing economies - will repeat that success in the Russian Far East. Major international oil and gas companies like SHELL, EXXON and BP are currently implementing multi-billion dollar oil and gas projects. Hence the Sakhalin Island is growing very rapidly.

Independence Day

Flying the flag aloft in a distant territory

President Santosh Kumar addresses the community

A community meal together

The Indian Community of Sakhalin Island celebrated 60th Independence Day on August 15 in the Bombay Hotel. Following the flag hoisting, R Santosh Kumar, president of Indian Community in Sakhalin, who hails from Mangalore,  welcomed the gathering and read out President of India's message to the audience. The programme ended with dinner and entertainment programme.