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Celebrations began at 7am at the ICC with the hoisting of the tricolour flag and singing of the national anthem. A large number of Indians including community leaders and families attended the ceremony with zeal.
After a brief welcome, Charge d’Affaires P S Sasi Kumar, read out President Pranab Mukherjee’s address to the nation - his first since taking the presidential office.
In his address, the President stressed the importance of remembering the vision of the great leaders who charted the roadmap of independent India. Citing leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Pandit. Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and Sarojini Naidu, he called upon citizens to reflect on “whether we have honoured the great vision of these stalwarts, as a nation and as a society” in building “an alternative model for a post-colonial world through economic equity and a social revolution inspired by harmony between communities.”
The President praised India’s progress and rapid modernisation, particularly in the area of economic growth. Despite the two recent financial crises that greatly affected the world, he said, India’s economy has posted an average growth rate of more than 8% over the past seven years.
“Economic progress, though, can only be seen as one arm of the body of democracy and the chief national problems that India faces today are eradication of poverty, illiteracy and disease. Freedom must mean both bread and dreams,” he said.
“We need a second freedom struggle; this time to ensure that India is free forever from hunger, disease and poverty”. The key to this, he noted, was to harness the power of education, as well as the energy and passion of the youth. “Education is the seed and economy is the fruit. Vision cannot be an open-ended vista; it must be focused on our youth.”
The President reiterated the importance of upholding the ideal of democracy, stating that democratic institutions are the pillars of the constitution and that legitimate grievances related to corruption and accountability could not be solved by destroying these institutions, but only by re-engineering them and restoring credibility in the underlying political, judicial and legislative systems.
Following the address, students from the Indian Cultural Center summer camp performed a patriotic song. The programme ended with a note of thanks delivered on behalf of the Indian Embassy and the Indian Cultural Centre in Qatar.
India’s 66th Independence Day was also celebrated by Indian schools in the country with enthusiasm.
MES Indian School celebrated the day at a colourful function organised at the KG Auditorium of the school.
V V Mahamood, president (acting) of the school governing body, hoisted the Indian tricolour at 8.30am followed by rendering of the National Anthem by the school choir. Patriotic songs sung by the schoolchildren evoked the memories of the national struggle for freedom.
In his presidential address, Mahamood reminded the students of their responsibility to ensure the unity and integrity of the nation.
Amongst those present on the occasion were members of the MES Governing Body, Principal Sasidharan A P, parents, students and staff.
The Ideal Indian School marked the 66th Independence Day of India on its premises with great zeal and enthusiasm. The president of the school managing committee Hassan Kunhi MP unfurled the national flag amidst the singing of the national anthem by the students. A large number of students, staff, founder members and committee members attended the ceremony. Kunhi urged the students to contribute their might to strengthen the motherland.
Celebrations at the Doha Modern Indian School began with Principal Jai Gopal Jindal hoisting the national flag. He spoke about the history of India’s freedom movement and paid tributes to the freedom fighters who laid down their lives for their motherland. He recalled the progress made by India after independence and the glorious achievements of Indians.
The Shantiniketan Indian School celebrated the Independence Day along with the culmination programme of the Summer Camp 2012 at its Barwa campus. The flag was hoisted by the school general secretary Abdul Kader T in the presence of students and parents. The students presented cultural programmes and the winners were felicitated.
The Noble International School celebrated the 66th Independence Day of India with zeal and gaiety. K Mohamed Easa, vice vhairman of Noble Society hoisted the tricolour. He recalled the sacrifices made by the great freedom fighters and urged everybody to be loyal and patriotic citizens. A large number of students, staff and parents attended.
Cultural programmes were performed and patriotic songs sung after the Indian national flag was raised at the Bhavans Public School as part of the 66th Independence Day celebrations.
School governing body vice president Manikandan unfurled the tricolour at its Al Wakrah Campus. Board members, staff, parents and students attended the function.