Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami hoisted the national flag at the India House, London and delivered President Droupadi Murmu’s address to the nation…reports Asian Lite News
The 78th Independence Day of India was celebrated in London on Thursday in a grand ceremony marked with cultural performances and national fervour.
Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami hoisted the national flag at the India House, London and delivered President Droupadi Murmu’s address to the nation.
Indian envoy Doraiswami said there is “no greater pleasure” for an Indian diplomat than to unfurl the national flag.
“Happy Independence Day to everyone. There is no greater pleasure for an Indian diplomat than to unfurl the National Tricolour here in the United Kingdom on the 78th morning of our existence as an independent nation. May our dreams of a developed India in 2047 come true with all our collective efforts,” Doraiswami said.
Several cultural performances including a performance on ‘Bharatnatyam’ and renditions of ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Sare Jahan Se Accha’ were performed at the event.
Indians from all wakes of life participated in the event and celebrated their enthusiasm. They said how the event makes them proud and helps them feel connected with their roots in India.
“It was a completely new experience for me. Being a student, I had never thought I would celebrate Independence Day in London. It’s a very good experience, we met the High Commissioner, Deputy HC and several other people,” an Indian student at the event said.
“It’s a very good experience here. I am a student and came to London in September 2023. It’s a very proud moment for us that we are celebrating our Independence in the country which colonized us,” another Indian student added.
An Indian lady who has participated in the event said it helps her feel connected with India.
“It’s a proud moment for Indians. I come here every year with my family…and feel so connected to my country,” she said.
India is celebrating its 78th Independence Day today, marking 77 years of freedom from the British colonial rule on August 15, 1947.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the national flag on Thursday at the Red Fort in the national capital for the 11th consecutive time on the occasion of the 78th Independence Day.
The theme for this year’s Independence Day is ‘Viksit Bharat @ 2047,’ aiming to drive the government’s efforts to transform India into a developed nation by 2047.
Meanwhile, in Colombo, the Indian High Commissioner, Santosh Jha, hoisted the tricolour at India House. Hundreds of members of the Indian diaspora joined the event sharing the joy of freedom and patriotism.
The event had a special feature of Bihu dance performance by the visiting Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) troupe from Assam. The Sri Lanka Navy Band played patriotic tunes of ‘Vande Mataram’, ‘Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja’ and ‘Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon’.
Earlier, the High Commissioner and officers of the Indian mission in Colombo paid homage at the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) Memorial to the memory of the Indian soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice defending the peace and unity of Sri Lanka.
In Bangladesh, a flag hoisting ceremony was held at the Indian High Commission premises. High Commissioner Pranay Verma hoisted the national flag and read out the President of India’s address to the nation. The celebrations in Dhaka come amid fast-changing political development in Bangladesh.
An interim government headed by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus was sworn in on August 8 along with 16 advisers after Sheikh Hasina resigned as prime minister following massive protests against her government.
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