Dubai/Abu Dhabi Indian expatriates in Dubai and Abu Dhabi celebrated their country's 61st Republic Day yesterday at the residence of the outgoing Indian Consul-General Venu Rajamony in Jumeirah and at the Indian embassy's auditorium in Abu Dhabi.
A tight security blanket was put in place by Dubai Police and visitors were required to pass through metal detectors.
Despite the lack of parking facility in front of the consul general's residence, Indians turned out in large numbers to hear him speak about the various initiatives being undertaken for the community's benefit.
In pictures: India Republic Day celebrations
The day's proceedings began at 8:30am with Rajamony hoisting the Indian flag, followed by singing of the national anthem by those present.
Reading out President Pratibha Patil's address to the nation made on the eve of Republic Day, partially in Hindi and in English, Rajamony bid farewell to the Indian community to whom he served as a representative of their government for over three years. He will be heading off to New Delhi where he will take on the post of joint- secretary at the Ministry of External Affairs.
He said: "This will be my last republic celebrations with you. I am heading off to New Delhi, but [I] would always cherish memories of this place. The various initiatives that were launched for the welfare of the Indian community are up and running and many of you are reaping the benefit from it already."
Outsourced
"For example we are the only Indian consulate in the world to have outsourced the passport and visa application facilities to 12 Empost centres across the emirate. The consulate managed to repatriate 100,000 Indians during amnesty. A mechanism of awareness was also put in place in making people aware of the various contact points at the consulate in time of need. The contact numbers are posted on bus shelters. Also, a summer campaign to educate the Indian blue-collar workers to avoid heat stroke also proved to be a success."
A group of blue collar workers who were present on the occasion said they were given a couple of hours' break from work.
"Our site manager was kind enough and he allowed us to attend the celebrations. But we will be returning back to work once we watch the flag-hoisting ceremony and the singing of the national anthem. We have planned a small celebration in our accommodation in the evening that includes a special dinner cooked in our own kitchen," said Ramdev, a blue-collar worker.
The spirit of free India came alive at the Indian High School campus on Tuesday. Students, parents and teachers thronged the school's playground in hundreds to pledge their solidarity and commitment to the republic and pay homage to its great leaders and martyrs who gave their lives to liberate the country from British rule.
Parade
A colourful parade depicting India's rich cultural heritage and its diverse art forms added pomp to the celebrations as hundreds of children sang popular patriotic songs.
R.C. Nair, charge d'affaires at the Indian Embassy, told Gulf News the UAE emerged as India's biggest non-oil trade partner during 2008-2009.
Nair hoisted the national flag at the embassy premises in the presence of a large number of community members. This was followed by a function at the embassy auditorium.
Nair also read out the president's message.
Pupils of Abu Dhabi Indian School and Eduscan institute then performed cultural programmes. The embassy also hosted a reception for guests at India House lawns in the evening.
Nair said despite the global economic downturn, a further boost in bilateral trade is expected during the current financial year.
He said Shaikha Lubna Al Qasimi, UAE Foreign Trade Minister, will shortly visit India with a delegation.
The recent visit of India's Minister of New and Renewable Energy, Farooq Abdullah, and the ongoing visit of Kumari Selja, the Minister of Tourism, Housing and Urban Poverty, also show the growing interaction between the two countries, he added.
— Additional reporting from Anjana Sankar, Senior Reporter
