(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Many people were brandishing miniature paper flags both in and outside the auditorium as a display of patriotic fervour.Hundreds of Indians watched the unfurling of their national flag and the release of rose petals amid notes of the national anthem on the premises of their embassy in Abu Dhabi at 8am and consulate in Dubai at 8.30am on Friday kicking off their 68th Independence Day celebrations. Elsewhere in the emirates too there were similar functions in the morning. The tricolour was hoisted also by the Indian Association Sharjah that also held a function in the evening and Indian communities in Ajman Ras Al Khaimah Fujairah Umm Al Quwain and Kalba. Excerpts from the President’s speech The increase in voter turnout to 66 per cent from the last elections’ 58 per cent shows the vitality of our democracy
Stagnant minds create immobile systems which become roadblocks to growth. India demands creative thinking in governance that enables fast-track development and ensures social harmony. The nation has to be placed above partisan impulses. The people come first
In last six decades the poverty ratio has declined from over 60 per cent to less than 30 per cent. Even then nearly one-third of our population still lives below the poverty line. Poverty is not a mere statistic. Poverty has a face which becomes unbearable when it scars the visage of a child
The Prime Minister’s call to honour the memory of Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary by making India a clean country by 2019 is commendable but it can be achieved only if each Indian converts this into a national mission. Every road every path every office every home every hut every river every stream every particle in the air around us can be kept clean if we but cared just a little. We must nurture nature so that nature continues to nurture us.
(Read the whole speech on the cgidubai.com) Several men wore an traditional Indian dress — white kurtu or mundu — while women had on a variation of the tricolour either orange saris or green salwars some going as far as orange-green-white nailpolish and even matching bangles.
At the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi Ambassador T. P. Seetharam hoisted the national flag at 8am. The national anthem was sung following the unfurling of the flag. The ambassador read out the address of Indian President Pranab Mukherjee. A cultural programme was organised that included patriotic songs and dance by India Social Center Abu Dhabi. A photography exhibition was also on display for the 500 guests who attended the event to browse.
In Dubai the unprecedented crowds at the consulate — some thought because it was a Friday — created much jostling and fighting for space. The emcee even apologised. Officials from the consulate had to get on stage to request people seated at the back of the auditorium to give up their chairs so there could be more space for people. “Give up sitting start standing” a gentleman in a bandhgala announced on the mike.
Many people were brandishing miniature paper flags both in and outside the auditorium as a display of patriotic fervour. And every five minutes a mass leader would take charge and bellow: Bharat mata ki… And the crowd would chime in: Jai!
Evidently distraught infants in the arms of parents were wailing at the shrillness of the sound system and the crowd commotion but quietened down when everyone came together once again to sing the national anthem.
His first year on the occasion here Anurag Bhushan Consul-General of India in Dubai unfurled the national flag in the presence of approximately 1500 Indians. Businessmen students teachers professionals workers and children attended the function. Bhushan also read excerpts from the President’s address from the eve of Independence Day. (The full address is available on cgidubai.com).
In his remarks Bhushan felicitated the Indian community and praised the close bilateral ties between India and the UAE. He also congratulated the community in the UAE for their immense contribution in building stronger bond between India and the UAE and wished them success in all their endeavours even saying “ I am very sorry ki my auditorium is not bigger” (sic).
After his speech the cultural programme commenced. A medley of songs — Bollywood as well as folk music — were belted out by singer Shobhana Jika who urged the crowds to join in the singing. Ae mere watan ke logon.. and Yeh Mera India from the film Pardes and Jai Ho from Slumdog Millionaire were rendered along with the Dilip Kumar classic Mere desh ki dharti from the 1967 film Uphaar.
In the evening Bhushan along with other consulate officials attended a three-hour-long cultural programme in Sharjah which was followed by a dinner for 2200 people. The programme included dances and the singing of patriotic songs. Food served included biryani rice chapathi chicken mutton along with vegetarian dishes. No donations have been taken. The event has been funded by the Indian Association Sharjah and the Indian Consulate.
Falling this year on a Friday Independence day events across the emirates were exceptionally well-attended. People had a day off. In Dubai a blood donation camp was organised at the consulate later in the day.
nivritikhaleejtimes.com
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