By Irfan Mohammed
Jeddah: Indian tricolour fluttered high amid of warm patriotism of NRI community in chilly Arabian skies in early morning hours of Sunday as Indian diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia celebrated 71st Republic Day. Many prominent Indians from across the states attended the celebration with enthusiasm. Prevailing chilling and cold waves not deterred patriotic Indians from participating in their national festival away from home.
In Riyadh, most of the community members thronged to the Indian embassy to celebrate the republic day event. Ambassador Ausaf Sayeed hoisted the flag.
Ambassador informed the audience that the top leadership of both countries is keen to strengthen and expand the bilateral relations spanning through diverse fields. He said that cooperation in security and energy besides other fields is enhancing between both countries.
Dance of peacock
The dance of peacock with a background of a girl posing as Bharat Mata attracted many according to some attendees. Earlier a day, various cultural programs performed by students at the IISR auditorium kept attendance captive for hours. Colourful cultural programs were held a day earlier in Riyadh to mark the event, where a noted popular Bhangra troupe flew from India to Riyadh for performance.
In Jeddah, scores of prominent community members attended the event at Indian consulate to witness the unfurling of the tricolor flag. Md. Noor Rahman Sheikh, the Indian Consul General. He read out President Ram Nath Kovind address to the nation,
Scores of NRIs attended
Dressed in traditional attire, scores of NRIs including a large number of women attended the celebrations.
Celebrations are being held in Indian schools and some community organizations across the Kingdom as well