Indian Embassy holds reception to mark country’s 71st ‘Republic Day’
Kuwait FM, diplomats and Indians attended in large numbers
TBy Cinatra Alvares
he Indian Embassy held a reception to celebrate the country’s 71st Republic Day at the Millennium Hotel on Sunday evening, marking the anniversary of India officially adopting its constitution. The event was attended by Kuwait Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Al-Jarallah along with other members of Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Kuwaiti Diplomatic Corps, and distinguished members of the Indian expatriate community.
The Ambassador of India to Kuwait, HE K. Jeeva Sagar, in his opening remarks, stated “This was the day in 1950 that India declared itself a republic through its own constitution; our constitution defined us as a free and sovereign nation and called upon its people and government to be secular, democratic and inclusive. The robust India that you see today continues to be guided by the ideals enshrined in this noble document.”
He thanked HH The Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for his warm feelings towards the Indian community and India and in turn conveyed best wishes for his good health and happiness.
Ambassador Jeeva Sagar also conveyed his sincere gratitude and appreciation to the entire Kuwait Ministry of Foreign Affairs and especially Asian affairs division led by the Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs, HE Ambassador Ali Sulaiman Al-Saeed, for the excellent cooperation extended to himself and the Embassy.
For a relatively small country, he praised the size of the humanitarian heart of Kuwait’s leader, and stated that the happiness and joy seen on the faces of Kuwaiti people as well as the foreigners living in this country, more than compensates for its small numbers. He stressed that it was the quality of life and not the quantity that mattered. He pointed to the sheer number of diplomatic missions in Kuwait as a testament to Kuwait’s good standing in the International community, commended the dignity, vibrancy and commitment with which Kuwait conducted its term during its United Nations Security Council membership that ended only recently. “Dear Kuwait, may you and your people continue to flourish and prosper”, he added.
Speaking on Indian-Kuwaiti bilateral relations, he conveyed the words of a senior Kuwaiti dignitary – “The test of true friendship lies in times of adversity and as far as Kuwait is concerned India has passed the test with flying colours. You have stood by us whenever we needed you both in good times and bad time. Our friendship was forged when Kuwait was a poor trading nation plying its wares by small boats. Today, we are proud of our prosperity with humility and we will never forget those who shared their affection when we were struggling. We will always cherish our historical relations with your great country, India.”
Ambassador Jeeva Sagar assured and reaffirmed that India strongly reciprocates Kuwait’s sentiments, “India values Kuwait’s friendship very highly.”
Remarking on the Indian expatriate community in Kuwait, he compared them to ‘heroes whose stories abound with each and every human emotion that God has conceived in his creation – love, sacrifice, uncompromising honesty and integrity, grit and determination, never give up spirit and will power, enduring courage, compassionate commitment, indefatigable endurance, grace, poise and dignity.’
He highlighted the many successes Indian community members had accomplished, “There is no field of activity where they have not made their mark or contributed to the development of the friendly country of Kuwait. I would like to salute all of these Indian community members.”