ABU DHABI/DUBAI: From flag-hoisting ceremonies at the diplomatic missions to flash mobs in malls, Indian expats in the UAE are attending day-long events across different emirates to mark the 78th Independence Day today.
Despite it being a working day, hundreds of Indian expats in the UAE attended the official flag-hoisting ceremonies at their diplomatic missions on Thursday morning. Wearing tricolour attires and waving Indian flags, the young and the old sang the national anthem and took part in the celebrations which included various cultural performances.
Indian Ambassador to the UAE Sunjay Sudhir hoisted the Indian national flag at the Embassy. He paid floral tributes to the bust of Mahatma Gandhi, India’s Father of the Nation who led the Indian freedom struggle. The ambassador inaugurated a tree planting ceremony and also honoured community members who contributed significantly to the welfare of the Indian community, the largest expat population in the UAE with a strength of 3.5 million.
Meanwhile celebrations began in Dubai with the Consul General of India Satish Kumar Sivan unfurling the tricolour at the Indian Consulate. Both the diplomats also read out the excerpts from the Independence Day address to the nation by the Indian President Droupadi Murmu.
In his speech, the Ambassador said the India-UAE bilateral relations are undergoing rapid transformation, driven by the visionary leadership on both sides. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s frequent visits to the UAE and President Mohammed bin Zayed’s reciprocal visits to India underscore the deepening ties between the two nations.”
He thanked the UAE Government for its support and generosity towards the Indian community in further strengthening the ties between the two nations, promoting peace, harmony, and brotherhood.
Both the diplomats hailed the Indian expat community’s contributions.
The Consul General said: “Indians abroad are a powerful force, excelling in various fields, including technology, business, healthcare, and politics. In the UAE, particularly Dubai and the northern Emirates, the Indian community has been instrumental in nation-building even before the UAE’s formation in 1971. Their contributions have shaped the strong India-UAE relationship, and the community continues to play a vital role in fostering bilateral ties.”
The UAE government has shown remarkable support for the Indian community, with constant improvements in policies for expatriate workers, including recent measures to prevent worker exploitation and expedite dispute resolutions, said Sivan.
“The Indian community's efforts have built bridges of friendship between India and the UAE. Their continued contributions, coupled with the UAE's support, strengthen this bond, fostering a future of mutual growth and prosperity,” he added.
Significant achievements
The Ambassador, meanwhile, said the significant achievements include the opening of the CBSE office in Dubai, serving more than 325,000 students, and the expansion of Indian educational institutions such as IIT Delhi in Abu Dhabi, with plans for IIM Ahmedabad.
Sudhir pointed out that the friendship between India and the UAE is a model of shared values, mutual respect, and cultural cooperation. He said a prominent symbol of this bond, the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, which was inaugurated by Modi in February, has attracted more than a million visitors,
Highlighting consular and community services for the Indian diaspora, he said initiatives such as consular camps in Al Ain and Ruwais reflect efforts to make services more accessible.
‘Unknown soldiers’ honoured
The embassy works closely with community organizations and social workers, recognising the contributions of "unknown soldiers" who quietly serve the community.
Two such community workers, Rasal Mohamed Sali and Esassa Karuvante Valappil, were honoured by the Ambassador. He also appreciated the group, “Doctors and Sarees,” for their contribution to the Indian community, from spreading awareness on cancer, to promoting handlooms and contributing meals at labour accommodations. The female Indian doctors also celebrated the day by wearing saree to their workplaces.
Mountain trek, art exhibition, flash mob
Members of another community group of Indian adventurers, A4 Adventure, celebrated the occasion in the mountains of Khor Fakkan. Around 100 members holding huge Indian flags conducted various activities apart from the 6km-trek.
Senior diplomats from the missions attended the celebrations held by various Indian associations.
Meanwhile, a group of artists took part in an Independence Day special painting exhibition at the Dubai International Art Centre. Among the artworks displayed, young artist Afshan Nawaz Khan’s portrait of Gandhi stood out in its presentation. The 15-year-old school student of GEMS Our Own English High School in Sharjah, who has become a professional artist selling her works, combined her talents in painting and sculpting. The hand of Gandhi is a sculpture to hold his walking stick, which is a real one. An actual piece of cloth was also incorporated to add to the 3D aspect of the work.
Another highlight of this year’s celebrations includes flash mob performances organised by City Centre Deira. Three shows lasting for over 10 minutes are scheduled at 4.30pm, 6.30pm and 8.30pm.
Patriotic expats excited
Several patriotic expats who attended the celebration at the consulate share their excitement with Gulf News.
Nikhat Sajid, a software engineer with a Dubai-based airline, said she and her husband, who is also a software engineer, have been attending Independence Day celebrations at the consulate for years. “Back home, we used to celebrate only with the neighbours in our residential community. Here, we feel the pan- Indian spirit as we celebrate with Indians from various states,” said Nikhat from Chandigarh, who took permission from her office to arrive late after attending the morning celebrations.
Among those who donned their tricolour outfits with pride was Malla Reddy from Telangana, who also brought a huge Indian flag. “I always get a new set of tricolour suit and turban to wear on these special occasions that I never fail to miss. I feel very proud to celebrate my country in my second home. I am overjoyed to see the excitement of my fellow Indians in taking turns to take photos with the flag I brought,” said Malla, who runs a travel agency.
Jyotsana Mishra, an HR manager from Uttar Pradesh, was among the parents who brought their young kids in tricolour attires. “This year’s Independence Day is special because it is the first for my son who is just six months now. We started planning this event weeks ago and got his outfit from India. We want him to grow up knowing our culture from a young age.”
Members of various Indian groups also attended the event. The Emirates Malayali Nurses Family, a fraternity of frontline nurses from Kerala who grouped together for community services since the COVID-19 pandemic, was led by president Siyad K Jamaludeen.
One of the members, Smitha Teejo, a staff nurse in a Dubai government hospital, said: “This is my first experience of visiting the Indian Consulate itself and I have never celebrated Independence Day in such a grand way ever since I left my home 18 years ago. I feel so proud to be here. This is an occasion to remember the sacrifices of all our freedom fighters and I specially salute our army men who recently did an exemplary service in the rescue operations in the devastating landslides in Wayanad in Kerala.”
