Indians celebrate unity in diversity
ON 69TH REPUBLIC DAY, AMBASSADOR SAYS WORKER WELFARE IS A TOP PRIORITY AND EMBASSY’S DOORS ARE ALWAYS OPEN TO THEM
On India’s 69th Republic Day, ambassador says worker welfare is a top priority and embassy’s doors are always open to them; Asean guests join celebrations |
India’s unity in diversity was on display as thousands of Indian expats in the UAE celebrated 69th Republic Day yesterday. Indian missions in the UAE and The Indian High School in Dubai reverberated with the Indian national anthem, patriotic songs, and slogans praising their motherland.
The welfare of Indian bluecollar workers in the UAE is a top priority of the Indian Embassy in the capital, the Indian ambassador to the UAE, Navdeep Singh Suri, said in his address to the community after raising the tricolour flag at the Indian Embassy.
“I am very happy to see the presence of a large number of workers here,” Suri said.
He read out the Indian President’s Republic Day speech. Schoolchildren sang patriotic songs and performed dance and music programmes at the embassy auditorium.
In his speech, Suri hailed the strong historical relations between the UAE and India.
He informed the audience that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will next month visit the UAE for the second time. “The UAE is India’s thirdlargest trade partner after China and the US,” he said, noting that India is working to attract more UAE investments.
He added, “Earlier this week, we saw the extraordinary gesture of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, in honouring Mr Mohiedin, a humble office boy from Kerala who had worked for 40 years as a member of his staff. That incident told us two important things: The grace, nobility and sheer class of the leadership in this country; and the respect earned by members of the Indian community — from the office boy and construction worker all the way to top professionals and business leaders.”
Vipul leads celebrations
In Dubai, Consul-General Vipul raised the tricolour flag at the Indian Consulate in Dubai and later at The Indian High School.
“If there is one place outside India where [Republic Day] should be most celebrated, it has to be Dubai,” Vipul said. “It is here in Dubai that India is visible in its full diversity — whether it may be due to the places that we come from, the regions that we come from, our professions, or languages or our other diversities.”
He highlighted the milestones achieved in UAE-India bilateral relations, including the top-level visits of leaders to both countries in the past two years. “I am sure this momentum will continue in 2018,” he said.
Commending the contributions of the Indian community here, Vipul said the consulate will continue to strive to provide better and more efficient services to them.
He said the recent decisions to resume the Open House and also to set up committees including the participation of community members are expected to better support the community.
Urging Indians to participate in the activities of the Year of Zayed, he said: “This will be a tribute to his legacy of peace, progress and tolerance and these are also the values that India stands for.”
Famous Indian actor of yesteryears, Vyjayanthimala, was the guest of honour at the event which saw colourful cultural programmes showcasing the unity in diversity of India.
Diverse traditions and cultures of various states in India converged as thousands of students from the three campuses of the school presented modernity and deep-rooted traditions of India through various programmes.
The performances were themed around women empowerment, anti-terrorism, sports and Clean India project.
Sunil Umrao Singh, chairman of the school, highlighted the school’s achievements in curricular and co-curricular fields.
Special reception
Ahead of Republic Day on Thursday, the ambassador hosted a special reception in Abu Dhabi. Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance; Maitha Salem Al Shamsi, Minister of State; Shaikha Lubna Al Qasimi, President of Zayed University, attended.
Shaikh Abdullah underlined the historical relations between the UAE and India.
Suri said the embassy always tries to understand the workers’ problems and extend all possible support to them. “This is your embassy and our doors are always open for you,” he said.