“Izvestia”: “Vladimir Putin meets with little Dasha”
The prime minister visits Buryat village now revived after a schoolgirl's call.
To mark 350 years since Buryatia voluntarily joined Russia, Vladimir Putin decided to give a gift to the republic's young resident, Dasha Varfolomeyeva. Three years ago, during a Q&A session, Dasha asked Mr Putin for a new "Cinderella" dress. Not only did the prime minister give her the dress, but he also invited her to visit him at the Kremlin and promised to return to the village of Tugnui.
The prime minister's promise was fulfilled. Preparations for the prime minister's visit began a week before his planned visit: new asphalt was laid and fences were painted. Dasha's house received a facelift as well: in two days, new windows were installed, floors were painted and linoleum was laid.
Officially, Mr Putin's objective was to inspect the new education and cultural center built thanks to Dasha's call. During her visit to Moscow, the girl told the prime minister about the poor conditions in her village. Within a month, Mr Putin signed a decree to build new facilities there.
Dasha and her family treated Mr Putin to a cup of tea and buzas, a traditional Buryat dumpling dish. The girl seemed very nervous about meeting the prime minister, because they hadn't seen each other in two and a half years, and Dasha's life has changed significantly since their last encounter. Not an ordinary girl anymore, she has become a local celebrity. The new school, built after her trip to Moscow, includes photos of her with Mr Putin.
"Why are you so quiet, Dasha?" was the prime minister's greeting. "Look, you have very pretty bows."
"My mom made them," Dasha replied.
The prime minister suggested she take him for a tour of the new school. The residents of Tugnui were very happy to get the prime minister's attention. Thanks to him, the village has been revived with several new buildings. The villagers asked for Mr Putin's assistance in buying bells for the new church.
Dasha was the only one who didn't have any requests for Mr Putin. Instead, she presented him with a toy, the wooden bird of happiness.
"May it bring you luck," she said.
Mr Putin carefully took the bird and left for his helicopter. He was due at Buryatia's capital, Ulan-Ude.
Most of the city's residents came out to the main square to mark the event. A stage was built in front of the city's main landmark, the huge head of Vladimir Lenin. A fountain was installed in front of the drama theatre. Young women in T-shirts saying "Are You in the Front Yet?" were swirling about.
Addressing Buryat's officials and leaders at the Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet, Mr Putin wished the republic increased investment activity. In 2011, the government allocated 6 billion roubles to the republic's social programmes, agriculture and infrastructure. However, in 2010, the local government itself managed to attract 30 billion roubles in direct investment.
"Our objective is to make Siberia and Trans-Baikal a leading center of investment activity," Mr Putin said.
In his opinion, the creation of a tourist center at Baikal should be a top priority.
"We have everything we need to make a real breakthrough in the Russian and international markets. Thousands of people will have an opportunity to come to Buryatia and see the great Lake Baikal," the prime minister said dreamily.
Anastasiya Novikova
