India’s vibrance was on full display on the world stage today, with hundreds of Indians celebrating the 67th Republic Day at Indian missions where the tricolour fluttered proudly amid melodious strains of the national anthem.
Cultural festivities were held as the mellifluous ‘Jana Gana Mana’ played and the unfurling of the national tricolour accompanied by falling rose petals took place at Indian embassies and high commissions.
In London, the occasion was marked by a ceremonial flag hoisting at the Indian High Commission by the high commissioner, Navtej Sarna, who recently assumed charge.
Britain’s Indian-origin Cabinet minister Priti Patel offered greetings to Indians, describing the day as “deeply significant” in India’s history.
The UK employment minister, who also serves as British Prime Minister David Cameron’s Indian diaspora champion, said: “Republic Day is a hugely important occasion where we can all reflect on our hard work, success and achievements so far, as well as looking to the bright and prosperous future.
“Today we are celebrating our vibrant culture, heritage and aspirations, and uniting as one global Indian community.”
In Cairo, Indian community members as well many Egyptian friends of India attended the celebrations despite the cold and rainy weather as they watched India’s Ambassador to Egypt Sanjay Bhattacharyya hoist the tricolour in the India House premises and read out President Pranab Mukherjee’s message to the country.
“I think I’m very enthused by the fact that a lot of Egyptians showed very active interest in this event. People have been very excited about this event,” Bhattacharyya told PTI.
In Kathmandu, India gifted 40 ambulances and eight buses to different organisations in Nepal on the occasion.
India’s Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae handed over keys of 33 ambulances and six buses to different charitable organisations and schools during a function held inside the Indian Embassy premises and attended by over 2,500 people.
Addressing a gathering in Colombo on the Republic Day, Indian High Commissioner Y K Sinha said Sri Lanka is a key part of India’s “neighbourhood first” policy as New Delhi has an abiding interest in the country’s security and remains committed to its unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
An important element in strengthening bilateral ties will be deepening economic and commercial relations, he added.
Across the entire South East Asia – in Bangkok, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Indonesia, patriotic fervour gripped Indians who turned out in large numbers to mark the celebrations.
In Bangkok, more than 550 Indian nationals and friends of India, braved the sudden drop in temperature to attend the function at the Indian embassy premises.
The flag was unfurled by ambassador Bhagwant Singh Bishnoi, who took over recently from Harshvardhan Shringla. The latter is now India’s envoy to Bangladesh.
Bishnoi also read out excerpt from the President’s address.
Later, schoolchildren sang songs to regale the audience following which Bishnoi presented some gifts to them as a token of appreciation.
In Hanoi, India’s Ambassador to Vietnam Preeti Saran hoisted the national flag, with at least 200 members of the Indian community in attendance despite the cold weather and rains.
In Kuala Lumpur, India’s High Commissioner to Malaysia T S Tirumurti unfurled the tricolour, which was followed by singing of the national anthem in chorus by all the guests assembled at the India House. Despite being a working day, the function was attended by about 300 people.
In Singapore, High Commissioner Vijay Thakur Singh led the Indian community here to celebrate the Republic Day, unfurling the tricolour. Singh read out the President’s address to the nation to more than 400 people.
In Australia, the Republic Day celebrations coincided with the Australia Day – the country’s official National Day.
The celebrations were held across the country by a large number of Indian diaspora members who attended the Indian flag-hoisting ceremonies and other events held across the cities.
In the capital Canberra, Indian High Commissioner Navdeep Suri unfurled the tricolour at a function held at the Indian High Commission building with a large number of community members from in and around the capital.
Suri also briefed the community about major developments in the growing Indo-Australia relationship and initiatives taken by the government to further improve services relating to the Indian diaspora.
He also drew attention to the epic ‘Spirit of India Run’ that distinguished ultra marathoner and former Australian minister, Pat Farmer, would undertake from Kanyakumari today.
In Melbourne, the celebrations were also marked by the flag-hoisting ceremony at the embassy by the Consul General Manika Jain.
For the first time, in what is famously known as the ‘Little India’ precinct of Melbourne, a small gathering of Indians celebrated both Australia Day and Republic Day.
In Sydney too, the flag-hoisting ceremony was held to mark the occasion.
Meanwhile, congratulating India on its special day, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull tweeted: “Best wishes and congratulations to you and the People of India on Republic Day”.
Echoing similar sentiments, New South Wales Premier Mike Baird said: “Indian Australians have made invaluable contributions to the social, cultural, professional and economic life of New South Wales.
“Like Australia’s vibrant multicultural society, the Indian community is home to many ancestries and languages, with members arriving from a variety of countries to make their new home here.”