Indian embassy celebrated its 72nd Republic Day of India today and held a flag hoisting ceremony at the embassy premises to mark the occasion. The event was live-streamed on various social media platforms.
The Indian Ambassador H.E. Sibi George hoisted the tricolor flag in the presence of embassy staff and media, which was followed by the National Anthem sang by a group of singers from Kuwait Chamber Carole.
Ambassador then read out the message of by Hon’ble Indian President Ram Nath Kovind. The Indian President said, “This day has come to mean a lot to all Indians living within the country and abroad. Seventy-one years ago, on this very day, we the people of India adopted, enacted and gave to ourselves a unique Constitution. For all of us, then, this is the day to also pause and ponder over the core values that the Constitution propounds. These values – Justice, Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity – outlined in the Preamble of our Constitution are sacred to all of us. Its abiding adherence is meant not only for those who are mandated to govern but for the people at large.
It is not without reason that the wise men and women who framed the Constitution chose to place these four terms at the very beginning of the Constitution to build the foundation on which the edifice of our democracy rests. In fact, these were the values that guided our freedom struggle. A galaxy of great leaders and thinkers like Bal Gangadhar ‘Tilak’, Lala Lajpat Rai, Mahatma Gandhi and Subhas Chandra Bose inspired our freedom struggle. They had diverse dreams of a magnificent future of the motherland, but common to their aspirations were these values: Justice, Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity.”
This was followed by his own address to the gathering, Ambassador H.E. Sibi George said, “On the occasion of the Republic day of India, I extend greetings to all Indians in Kuwait. Let’s join our 1.3 billion brothers and sisters in India and millions of Indian Diaspora abroad and billions of our friends across the world to celebrate this occasion.”
Noting the issues faced by the Indian community due to the coronavirus crisis, he said, “We in the Embassy are fully conscious of the fact that some of our brothers and sisters continue to face an unprecedentedly difficult situation today due to the Covid 19 pandemic. I thank the many community members and various associations who individually and in coordination with Indian Community Support Group (ICSG) took several steps to help our brothers and sisters in need during the most difficult days of the pandemic.”
Praising the people who helped to alleviate the issues faced under the coronavirus lockdown, he said, “I salute our doctors, nurses and medical professionals who made many sacrifices here and all across the world to save lives. I commend our students, schools, teachers and parents in facing the challenges of Covid 19 with determination and adapting to the way education is now being digitally administered. I also thank our media friends who helped us to reach out to Indian community in Kuwait and also to our Kuwaiti friends.”
Reiterating the features of the speech from the Hon’ble Rashtrapatiji, Ambassador George said, “The nation today, during the crisis we have seen how ‘ordinary citizens turned out to be extraordinary’ in facing challenges and helping each other. In Kuwait, we have seen how hundreds of associations and groups small and big came together to help each other. The crisis is still not over.”
“We in the Embassy will continue to work with the community to address the myriad of challenges faced by our community and also to spread the message to our people not to panic, to remain calm and confident. Here in Kuwait we have enough support and resources to ensure that no Indian goes hungry or remains unattended. We will continue to improve the Consular services of the Mission and keep its activities transparent. Let me reiterate, ‘Embassy is Home Away from Home’ and its doors remain open for all those who need love and support,” he added.
The Ambassador continued saying, “I am happy to note that the Embassy – Diaspora partnership in Kuwait has been contributing significantly in each of the major elements that Hon’ble Rashtrapatiji mentioned in his remarks today. In partnership with our Kuwaiti friends, we have been organizing a series of unprecedented outreach efforts and business promotion events in supporting the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan (Self Reliant India Mission) that Hon’ble Prime Minister launched last year. I recall the address to our Diaspora by Hon’ble Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Shri Dharmedra Pradhan on Aatmanirbhar Bharat and on our New Education Policy by Hon’ble Minister of Education Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ last week.”
Recalling the various celebrations at the embassy despite the challenges posed by Covid 19 pandemic, the Ambassador pointed out, “We celebrated every Indian festival here, we together remembered and paid homage to every Indian hero. I recall the National Youth Day celebrations when we unveiled the portrait of Swami Vivekananda in this auditorium and launched the annual Swami Vivekananda Address; we celebrated the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose as Parikrama Divas. We also celebrated our national and state festivals, sharing sweets and greetings with all visitors to the Embassy.”
He went on to mention that in coming weeks and months, the embassy will continue to celebrate, virtually and in hybrid format, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Kuwait and also the 75th anniversary of the country’s Independence. “Together we will celebrate India every day, everywhere, with everyone, while strictly adhering to the laws and traditions of our host country,” he noted.
Praising the country for pushing ahead and striving to improve and share medical care with the world, Ambassador George noted how it was a great pride for every Indian to see how their motherland has emerged as the pharmacy of the world in addressing the Covid 19 pandemic at home and in helping several countries by supplying medicines and other healthcare items. He remarked, “India has not only developed its own indigenous vaccine but also supplied vaccines to several countries including most countries in our neighborhood and in countries as far as Brazil. This is reflective of the economic and scientific transformation that India witnessed in recent years.”
Highlighting the strong ties between Kuwait and India that will be further cemented in the future, he said, “We value our partnership with the State of Kuwait. Kuwait is a key partner in our extended neighbourhood. We will continue to work with all stakeholders to strengthen our partnership with Kuwait for the prosperity and wellbeing of the people of our two countries. We will not let 2021 be a zero year for building our partnership. We will endeavor to make it a vibrant year of activities in partnership with our Indian community and Kuwaiti friends. We will continue to take every step possible to strengthen the partnership of New India with New Kuwait, in collaboration with all our friends and well-wishers. “