What you need to know:
- The flag was hoisted at 8.30am on August 15, 2019.
- Residents attended the ceremony to mark the occasion.
Dubai: On August 15, Thursday, eager Indian expatriates celebrated their country’s Independence Day by attending the flag hoisting ceremony, which took place at the Consulate of India in Dubai.
The flag was hoisted at 8.30am by Indian Consul General of India to Dubai, Vipul, and was followed by the singing of the Indian National anthem.
People of all ages, dressed in colors of the Indian flag, gathered to mark this occasion. Paper flags of the tricolor were handed out to people who attended.
Electrifying atmosphere
Spirits were high and people sang patriotic songs and cheered when the tricolor was hoisted.
Dubai resident, Sahitya Sachan attended his first Independence Day at the consulate and said he loved the spirit.
The 19-year-old said: “Everyone here is really going for it and having fun. Being in Dubai... I felt like I was in India today. I attended this ceremony when I was small but don’t remember it. I managed to wake up early!”
Dubai resident Shelly Sharma has brought her children to celebrate Independence Day at the consulate every year.
She said: “It’s my passion, but more importantly, my children like to come. This helps them connect with the culture.”
Many cultural performances took place to entertain those attending. Singers Sudhanshu and Sweety performed a few patriotic numbers while the dance group Team Nrityanjali did a classical dance at the venue.
Take away message
Consul General Vipul addressed the gathering and said: “State and society, government and citizen must see each other and must corporate with each other.”
He added that Indians have always had an easy going attitude and respect people of different identities.
“India’s history and destiny, legacy and future are a function of coexistence....”
He told Gulf News in an interview: "This is also a time to look back on what our country has achieved, and I think we have achieved a great deal in the last seven decades, especially in terms of showing the world how we can progress and the virtues of democracy.
"This year was special because we had the election process in India, which once again showed the world how democracy is there in India and how every indian is participating in the progress and development of the county."
Independence Day in India
In India, Independence Day is marked by a national holiday. The Prime Minister of the country, Narendra Modi addresses the nation.
Independence Day is celebrated every year on August 15 and it marks the victory of India from the British rule.
