India’s Independence Day also celebrated in Suriname

The Independence Day of India, August 15, was once again celebrated in Suriname this year. The Indian embassy raised the national flag of India at a ceremony on Wednesday morning. The people who attended the ceremony also took the time to emphasize the importance of India for especially the descendants of Indian immigrants who live in Suriname. About 100 people who attended the ceremony sang the national anthem of India while the flag of India was being raised. India’s ambassador to India, Mahender Singh Kanyal, read aloud the speech that India’s president, Ram Nath Kovind, gave in India on the eve of Independence Day. “Independence Day is always special, but this year there is an unusual significance attached to it. In a few weeks, on 2nd October, we will begin the commemoration of the 150th birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi did not just lead our freedom struggle. He was and still is our moral compass. In my capacity as the President of India, I have been fortunate to have travelled around the world, particularly to a few countries of Africa. Everywhere, across continents, Gandhi is mentioned, cherished and remembered as an icon for all humanity. He is the embodiment of India.” The ambassador pointed out that he was very happy to see many Surinamese people share the joy and love of India. “Suriname is like a second India and I am happy to see that our people here are living our culture and religion the same way we do in India.”