Abu Dhabi: Pupils wearing costumes representing Indian historical figures and the diverse culture of India made the 66th Indian Republic Day celebrations in the capital a special one.
Around 1,000 Indian expatriates gathered at the Indian Embassy premises on Monday morning to celebrate the anniversary of the adoption of the Indian Constitution. Although India became a free nation on August 15, 1947, it declared itself a sovereign, democratic republic with the adoption of the Constitution on January 26, 1950. The Constitution gave the citizens of India the power to choose their own government and paved the way for democracy.
T. P. Seetharam, Ambassador of India, hoisted the national flag, which was followed by the singing of the national anthem by students from various Indian schools. Seetharam read out the address of the President of India to the nation, delivered on the eve of Republic Day.
“It is a great honour to celebrate Republic Day abroad in the presence of Indian community members from all walks of life, especially labourers from different sectors,” the ambassador told Gulf News.
Indian expatriates shared their happiness on the occasion with Gulf News. “Although I live here, my heart and mind are back home as I miss my family and friends there. This is an occasion to forget such sad thoughts and celebrate the achievements of my country,” Shahan Waz, 25, a plumber from the state of Uttar Pradesh, said.
Dhananjay Shanker, 24, a creative director at an advertisement agency, said he has noticed that Republic Day celebrations are more intense abroad than back home. He is proud of India’s current international stature. “US President Obama’s presence at the Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi proves it. The new prime minister [Narendra] Modi also makes his presence felt more than his recent predecessors,” Shanker said.
Hari Krishna, 14, a pupil, said he is proud of the progress in India’s infrastructure development. “When I travel in India, I notice better roads etc.”
The embassy made ‘Make in India’ the theme of its Indian Republic Day event to highlight the development agenda of India.
At a reception hosted by the ambassador on Monday evening for friends of India, including prominent Emiratis and other nationals, he invited them to participate in the ‘Make in India’ campaign.
The campaign launched by the Indian Prime Minister Modi in September aims to build a strong, vigorous and dynamic manufacturing sector that will be central to India’s economic growth. The campaign is centred on the upcoming industrial corridors in India.
The embassy used to hand out brochures on Indian tourism to the guest at such events. “Instead we have made “Make in India’ the theme of this reception to highlight India’s development agenda,” Seetharam told Gulf News on the sidelines of the event.
He said India values tourists but gives the same or more emphasise on other important sectors like manufacturing to spur economic growth.
