The 72nd Independence Day of India was celebrated yesterday at a grand ceremony attended by a large number of community members at the Indian Cultural Centre (ICC). Indian ambassador P Kumaran hoisted the national flag to the accompaniment of the national anthem. Independence Day functions were also held at various places including Indian schools.
At the ICC, the celebrations started early in the morning. Officials of the apex bodies under Indian embassy, community leaders as well as office bearers of several Indian socio-cultural organisations were present to mark the occasion.
After the tricolour was raised, a special function was held at the Ashoka Hall of the ICC which was filled with community members.
Indian schoolchildren and representatives of some community organisations presented patriotic songs during the event. A cake was cut by the ambassador to celebrate the occasion. Addressing the gathering, ambassador Kumaran conveyed Independence Day greetings to all.
The envoy also urged compatriots to keep up the good reputation of Indians in Qatar and continue building up the excellent relationship between both the nations.
“It is a time to celebrate as well as to recall the deeds and sacrifices of the freedom fighters. It also reminds us of the duties towards our nation. I like to take this occasion to thank His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani for the patronage of the Indian community and the people of Qatar,” said the Indian envoy.
Kumaran also read out certain parts from the national address of Indian President Ram Nath Kovind on the occasion of Independence Day.
“Freedom is a broader concept. It is not fixed and finite. Freedom is a constant and relentless endeavour. Even decades after 1947, each one of us can contribute in the manner of a freedom fighter. We can do so if we expand the frontiers of freedom and of opportunity for our fellow Indians and our beloved India,” the president said in his message.
“The reality is that every Indian who does his or her job with sincerity and commitment, who contributes to society by being true to a professional ethic, be it the doctor’s ethic, the nurse’s ethic, the teacher’s ethic, the public servant’s ethic, the factory worker’s ethic, the business-person’s ethic, the ethic of those who have to care for ageing parents who brought them up with love and sacrifice – each of these and many others are in their own way upholding the values of freedom,” the message continued.
“Together we can help every citizen in our country. Together we can conserve our forests and natural heritage, we can safeguard our monuments for future generations, we can renew our rural and urban habitats.
Together we can eliminate poverty, illiteracy and inequality. We can and we must do this together,” the president exhorted in the message.
ICC president Milan Arun welcomed the gathering and general secretary Juttas Paul conducted the meeting while vice president A P Manikantan, proposed the vote of thanks.
Schoolchildren present a patriotic song on the occasion.
