Indians celebrate Independence Day
The Indian community in Qatar celebrated India’s 63rd Independence Day at a programme at the Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) yesterday.
Indians living in Qatar attended the programme in large numbers.
The programme began with Indian Ambassador Deepa Gopalan Wadhwa unfurling the tricolour. It was followed by the singing of the national anthem and patriotic songs by students of Birla Public School. A cake was also cut to mark the day.
Reading out the Indian President’s address to the nation on the occasion, the ambassador said: “The four essential pillars of the edifice of India have been and remain - democracy, inclusive economic development, social empowerment and a value system based on our civilizational heritage.”
She highlighted the emergence of India as an economic powerhouse and a mature democracy. “The world expects India to be one of the largest economies in the near future.”
She also mentioned the Indian government’s resolve to fight corruption, the spread of swine flu and the drought due to the poor monsoon this year.
She said she was confident the nation would move forward to become an exemplary democracy, an economic power and a progressive society.
Cautioning Indians about the plague of terrorism, she said: “Peaceful co-existence is inherent in our culture. Terrorism, which targets innocent people, is the very anti-thesis of peaceful co-existence. It is condemnable because it is against the tenets of every religion and faith. It must be defeated in the interest of the collective goal of humankind to build peaceful societies and a peaceful world. We need to work together towards this end as humankind shares a common destiny.”
Indian schools in Qatar also joined the celebrations by holding separate programmes which included hoisting the national flag, reciting of patriotic songs and speeches.
At MES Indian School, the Tricolour was raised by KP Mohamed Ali, acting president of the school’s governing body.
CV Rappai, director, unfurled the flag at the Birla Public School.
At Shantiniketan Indian School, president KC Abdul Latheef raised the flag. It was followed by a speech by principal Tajammul Husain.
MR Quereishi, second secretary at the Indian embassy, was the chief guest at Noble Indian Kindergarten celebrations.
Indian association Incas marked the Independence Day with a programme at Industrial Area.
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