India’s Republic Day celebrated in the UAE

Our Correspondent

The world’s tallest tower Burj Khalifa lit up with the Indian tricolour to celebrate India’s 72nd Republic Day on January 26 evening on a day Indian expatriates attended the celebrations at the Embassy and Consulate virtually in the light of the pandemic protocols.

The Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi observed an in-house celebration. Ambassador Pavan Kapoor unfurled the Indian tricolour and read out President Ram Nath Kovind’s address to the nation. This was followed by cultural programmes to showcase India’s rich cultural diversity.

The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi tweeted later: “Indian Tricolour made its way to the street signals in day time and on the most prominent building @AdnocGroup Building in the evening on the occasion of #RepublicDay2021…. This is true friendship. #IndiaUAEDosti Thank you @uaegov”

The flag hoisting ceremony in the Consulate in Dubai was attended only by Consulate officials. Ramdas Athawale, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, was part of the celebrations at the Consulate.

Early in the morning, the Indian flag was hoisted by the Consul General of India to Dubai, Dr Aman Puri; this was followed by the singing of the national anthem. Dr Puri then read out the President’s address.

After a short cultural programme, the Consul General accompanied by a few Consulate officers, went to the Indian High School, run by the Indian Association Dubai, to participate in the annual flag hoisting and Republic Day parade.

Other Indian curricula schools in the UAE celebrated the occasion virtually.

Their Highnesses Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President; Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces sent messages of congratulations to President Kovind on the occasion of Republic Day. They also dispatched similar messages to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.