Why a couple of Indian scientists moved to Russia

Vishnu Rajput is from Uttar Pradesh, a densely populated agricultural region of India. His father owned rice and bean plantations, where Vishnu spent his entire childhood. Observing the world of plants, he realized that he wanted to dedicate his life to biology and enrolled in one of India's best universities, the Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology.

After completing his studies, he went to China to work on his doctoral dissertation. There, he met Russian professor Tatyana Minkina, who heads the Department of Soil Science and Land Evaluation at the Academy of Biology and Biotechnology at the Southern Federal University (SFedU) and leads the ‘Soil Health’ laboratory.

She then offered the Indian scientist a job in Rostov. And, in 2016, he took up her offer and moved to Russia and began research in the field of nanomaterials in agriculture.

A renowned Russian scientist

Today, Vishnu works with biochars or bio-coal. This material is produced by burning agricultural waste at temperatures around 600 degrees Celsius in an oxygen-free environment.

"I came up with the idea to combine nanomaterials and biochar to create a composite material that promotes soil restoration. This project has been ongoing for the second year under the Russian Federation’s state program 'Priority 2030' for supporting universities. I am its leader."

In addition, he addresses important environmental issues, such as combating the increase in soil toxicity, due to nanoplastics, which enter plants and the human body.

The now 43-year-old Dr. Rajput is among the top 2% of the world’s most cited scientists, according to Stanford University. This is entirely thanks to his scientific work done at SFedU.

"In India, I am quite well-known and serve as a scientist in 17 organizations and universities. In Russia, I also receive a lot of respect when I give presentations at conferences – at Moscow, St. Petersburg, Tomsk universities, as well as ones in other cities."

Vishnu has also gained fame as a science popularizer. On his social media, he explains complex things in simple language and he has many followers from around the world.

Russian children of Indian parents

Vishnu met his wife Priya in the traditional way: their parents arranged a matchmaking. And all this just a few days before he had to leave for Russia.

“Beautiful, smart, kind, knows several languages and is an engineer by education. I immediately knew – she’s my future wife,” the scientist recalls.

At first, Priya was held back by her job in New Delhi and career prospects. But, she decided to take a risk and move to a new country without knowing the language. And, after nine years, she speaks Russian very well and works at the university alongside her husband.

The couple has two children: their eldest son Darsh is seven years old, while their daughter Drishna is only four months. They were both born in Russia. The boy speaks Russian, Hindi and English fluently.

"We take him as a translator to the market and stores. By the way, he speaks Russian in his sleep," the parents boast.

How an Indian scientist lives in Russia

"As a child, I dreamed of seeing Moscow. I knew it was one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I’ve seen it and not just once, as well as many other Russian cities. But, I like Rostov the most," says Vishnu.

He also enjoys his work and the university provides a lot of support to his family: he was given a mortgage apartment and his son is enrolled in a good kindergarten.

"At work, we always felt supported; you could say we have a second big family there!"

Indians traditionally eat everything with spices and, at first, Russian food seemed bland to the Rajput family. But, their son got used to such meals in kindergarten – so the parents had to partially adapt, as well.

"Now, Indian cuisine mixes with Russian in our family. For lunch, we might have borsch and chicken curry. I adore potato pies and blini," the head of the family admits, laughing.

Over the years in Russia, the Indian native says he has become calmer and less explosive. Even his mother tells him that he "already does many things like a Russian". And Vishnu agrees: ten years in Russia could not pass without leaving their mark.

The full version of the interview is available (in Russian) on the ‘Nation’ magazine’s website.