India's I-Day celebrations at Hon Consul's home

The celebrations of India's 76th Independence Day in Auckland began early
morning on Monday, August 15, at Hon Consul of India, Bhav Dhillon's
residence.
More than eighty community leaders gathered together at Mr Dhillon's
residence as part of a special programme called Breakfast with Diaspora
Leaders for the special flag hoisting ceremony.
The flag hoisting was followed by the singing of India's national anthem and a
brief speech by the Hon Consul of India, and an open house of short speeches
by attending guests, with each revisiting memory lanes and recalling the
journey of the Indian nation in the last 75 years of existence as a modern
independent country.
Over the years, the flag hoisting ceremony at Hon Consul of India's Auckland
residence has become a significant community event – Breakfast with Diaspora
Leaders – which brings leaders and representatives from almost every segment
of the diverse Kiwi-Indian community in NZ for an early flag hoisting ceremony
on August 15 every year.
Speaking on occasion, Mr Dhillon shared key facts about India's growth story in
recent years and, more particularly, about the government of India's special
campaigns such as the Atmanirbhar Bharat, Vaccine Maitreyi and Ghar Ghar
Tiranga to commemorate the 75th anniversary of India's Independence Day.
"I am proud to say that the Government of India had administered more than
200 crores of Covid vaccine to not only our billion plus population extending
vaccine diplomacy to a large number of countries around the world as part of
our principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam."
Throwing further light on India's rich democratic credentials, Mr Dhillon said, "India is rightly looked upon as one of the largest democracies of the world
with many firsts attached to its name, including giving voting rights to women
from the very first day."
Emphasising the umbilical cord connection between India and the people of
Indian origin living overseas, Mr Dhillon reminded everyone present on the occasion that they all were real ambassadors of India and Indian culture and
called upon them to always present their best version in their day-to-day lives.
Mr Dhillon also reiterated that India was a beautiful confluence of different
regions, languages, and cultures from different states of India, which takes
immense pride in the spirit of unity in diversity, and that should not be lost
amongst the diaspora communities in NZ.