India’s 65th Republic Day celebrated world over
Washington D.C.
The Indian community in the US celebrated India's 65th Republic Day with Ambassador S. Jaishankar unfurling the national flag at a colourful function at the Indian embassy here on a bright and sunny but chilly day.
After hoisting the flag in front of the embassy overlooking a statue of Mahatma Gandhi, Jaishankar read out President Pranab Mukherjee's address to the nation.
About 200 members of the community joined the celebrations including singing of the national anthem and a short cultural programme.
In his message of "congratulations and best wishes" in "the warm spirit of friendship and partnership" President Barack Obama has said: "Our partnership has always been guided by our shared values and interests."
Describing India as a country on the move, US Secretary of State John Kerry said, "The real magic of India lies as much in its promising future as it does in its rich heritage."
Similar flag hoisting ceremonies were also held at India's Permanent Mission to the United Nations and the Indian consulates in New York, San Francisco, Chicago and Houston.
Warsaw
Braving a freezing minus 10 degrees Celsius temperature, the Indian community in Poland celebrated India's 65th Republic Day here with great fervour.
India's Ambassador to Poland Monika Kapil Mohta unfurled the Tricolour and read excerpts from President Pranab Mukherjee's address to the nation.
"Each one of you is also an ambassador of India in Poland whether you are doing business here or you are teaching Indian studies in Polish institutions. Your day-to-day interaction with Polish people matters the most. With your work and with your cultured behaviour, we have got a good profile of India throughout Poland," the envoy said.
Jakarta
The Indian community in Indonesia celebrated the 65th Republic Day with Ambassador Gurjit Singh unfurling the tricolour at a colourful function, complete with songs, dance and food, at the Indian embassy here Sunday. Nearly 400 members of the Indian community, persons of Indian origin (PIOs) and friends of India attended the ceremony.
About 150 students from three Indian schools sang the national anthem and patriotic songs followed by a cultural performance by students of the Jawaharlal Nehru Cultural Centre here.
Several charitable organisations, under the umbrella of the Indian Cultural Forum, distributed food rations, clothes and medical help to the victims affected by the recent floods in various suburbs of Jakarta.
The day was also celebrated with traditional gaiety and fervour at the Indian consulates in Bali and Medan.
Seoul
Sub-zero temperatures did not prevent the Indian community in South Korea from celebrating the 65th Republic Day at the Indian embassy and at the Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) here Sunday.
Ambassador Vishnu Prakash unfurled the tricolour to the cheers of hundreds of individuals, including members of the embassy and their families, who assembled for the occasion.
It was followed by the rendering of the national anthem and a brief cultural programme put up by Korean students of the Indian Cultural Centre and members of the community.
The event was attended by Jeong Kab-yoon, member of the National Assembly and chairman of India-Korea Parliamentary Friendship Association, and Shim Yoon-joe, member of the National Assembly.
Over 400 guests, including Korean officials, industrialists, cultural and academic personalities, members of media, Indian companies in Korea, diplomatic and Indian communities, joined the festivities.
Referring to India as "a friend and well-wisher of Korea", Shim had expressed his conviction that President Park Geun-hye's recent state visit to India would not only enhance bilateral ties, but also contribute to the prosperity of the regions.
Shim highlighted India's role as a factor of peace and stability in the world, and the growing support for India's candidature as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.
Ljubljana
The Embassy of India in Slovenia is holding a “Days of India in Slovenia” festival from 18-30 January 2014. The event included music concerts, photo exhibition, Indian film shows, seminars on Mahatma Gandhi and laying a wreath at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Slovenj Gradec, Slovenia.