Muscat: The 74th Independence Day of India was celebrated at the Embassy of India in Oman with patriotic fervour however due to COVID-19 precautionary measures, the event was restricted to officials and staff only. But it was shown online, enabling the Indian community in the country to join the celebrations virtually.
Shri Munu Mahawar, Ambassador of India to the Sultanate of Oman unfurled the tricolor flag and read excerpts from the speech of the President of India.
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Anuj Swarup Second Secretary, said that they were honoured by the love and enthusiasm of Indian nationals in Oman and conveyed their best wishes on the occasion of 74th Independence Day.
Due to the current pandemic situation that had resulted in many Indians being repatriated to India, the mood was sombre among the Indian diaspora in Oman.
Freedom from the virus
“But Independence Day celebrations beamed by our Indian Embassy in Oman and also by the television channels showing Red Fort and our country’s celebrations, made us forget COVID-19 momentarily. We are now hoping to get freedom from this virus,” Meer Ahmed, a resident of Old Delhi, and a Chartered Accountant working for an SME firm in Muscat told Gulf News. He was among the many who viewed the live flag-hoisting ceremony this morning.
Mahawar tweeted on this occassion a special medley of patriotic songs sung by a group of talented singers, prepared specially for the occassion. The singers from Indian Social Club Open Mic, Tariq Ansari, Sapna Ganesh Kamath, Manju Palaria and Vineet Pandit brought home a pang of nostalgic memories through their mellifluous rendition. Another special musical tribute that was shared by the Indian Embassy in Muscat was the all-time favourite Mile Sur, recreated by a group of global Indians with reimagined visuals and messages aptly titled Naye Sur Hamara.
