Moscow Mystique: Where Indians are wooed by Russia's 'extra warmth'

'Russia is always a welcoming place for Indians'

"Stereotype-shattering", "stunningly warm" -- a trip to Russia for the FIFA World Cup was largely a "pleasant surprise" for those touching down from the west but for thousands of tourists from a country which didn't even have a team of its own to cheer for, it was "usual warmth".

"I am from India," that's all one need say to unlatch the Russian warmth, which has now bowled over the world at large after years of scepticism based on the mystique of Soviet era.

From wide smiles to generous discounts, nostalgic Russians, who still aren't over their love for Raj Kapoor