Dubai, January 28: A large number of Indian community members gathered early Wednesday morning at the Indian embassy in Abu Dhabi to celebrate their country’s 62nd Republic Day.
A large number of children and students accompanied their parents holding tricolour flag in their hands and a few of them got their faces painted with the symbol of Indian flag.
M.K. Lokesh, the Indian ambassador to the UAE, unfurled the national flag of India in presence of a number of business community people and embassy officials at the mission’s premises.
Enthusiastic students from Abu Dhabi Indian School, Sunrise Private School and Indian Model School appeared in colourful dresses and presented the national anthem, patriotic songs and dance performances.
Indian ambassador read out the message from the President of India, Pratibha Devisingh Patil, who said: “It is a fact that there can be no society which does not need to evolve to cope with the changing demands of time, no nation which does not face challenges. India too has its share of problems and obstacles, constraints and difficulties.
Patil said, “We cannot evade these or wish them away, but working in different fields, we must together find solutions. The strength of a nation is not determined by the challenges it faces, but by its responses to these challenges, especially so when it stands at a critical juncture and decisive point.”
She appealed to the fellow citizens to never resort to violence as our nation won its freedom by travelling on the high path of non-violence and truth. Talking to Khaleej Times, Lokesh said: “India’s ties with the UAE have been multi-faceted and have gone beyond commercial links to intellectual, cultural and civilisational ties. It’s progressing strength to strength. The earlier visit of our President to the UAE has given more momentum to our bilateral ties. Indian community in the UAE also has hugely contributed to take this relationship to a new height,” the ambassador said.
In Dubai, thousands of students and community members took part in the Republic Day celebrations held at the Indian High School campus.
The chief guest of the function, Vayalar Ravi, the Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs and Civil Aviation, hoisted the Indian flag in the presence of Sanjay Verma, Indian Consul-General in Dubai; Mohan Valrani, chairman of IHS; and senior members of the community.
Following the national anthem, the Consul-General read out the President’s address to the nation and urged the members of the community to celebrate the Indian constitution, which is the basis of the laws and guides a diverse country into the modern era. “NRIs are part of the nation-building process; the process of creating a powerful, developed country. Let’s all work towards a happy and prosperous India,” he added.
In his address, Ravi emphasised on the Right to Education, regarding it as a landmark. “As the fundamental right of a child, it contributes to India’s growth. We all are proud citizens of India. Let’s march towards further progress, prosperity and eradicate poverty from our society. Let’s be proud of India, take pride in its growth and be part of Indian democracy, the largest in the world, by voting for the right candidates. Democracy is our greatest strength,” he said.
The school, celebrating its 50th anniversary, presented a splendid performance of students under the theme “The celebration of India… of Indian High School… Jai Ho!” The parade and performance by students wearing the tricolours added to the patriotic feelings. Students also performed different art forms from various Indian states.
–Agencies–