“We achieved independence exactly 75 years ago in 1947 when our tiranga, our tricolour national flag, replaced the Union Jack.”
— Sunjay Sudhir, India’s Ambassador to the UAE
Hundreds of Indians gathered at the Indian embassy in Abu Dhabi and the consulate in Dubai to take part in the Independence Day festivities, reported The National.
Sunjay Sudhir, India’s Ambassador to the UAE, described it as a landmark day in history.
Sudhir said: “We achieved independence exactly 75 years ago in 1947 when our tiranga, our tricolour national flag, replaced the Union Jack,” he said.
“While each independence day celebration is important, today’s celebration is something particularly special because it marks 75 years of our independence.
“Their contribution to the economy and development of the UAE is widely recognised not only by the leaders and government of the UAE, but also by Emiratis in general.”
“On this date, 75 years ago, we broke free from the yoke of colonialism and centuries of exploitation by our colonisers and were born as a free nation.”
Sudhir spoke of the country’s democratic foundations and diversity, where people of different faiths, languages and ethnicities coexist.
The ambassador also spoke about the close ties between the leaders of the UAE and India and the contribution of Indians in the Emirates in building that strong relationship.
“The India-UAE relationship has emerged stronger than ever and as if ordained by destiny when India celebrated 75 years of independence, the UAE also celebrated the year of the 50th, the golden jubilee of the formation of the UAE,” he said.
He described the community in the UAE as “one of the most critical pillars of socio-economic strength and of UAE-India relations”.
“Their contributions even during the most difficult of times, such as during the Covid-19 pandemic, have been exemplary and will act as an inspiration to Indians all over the world,” Sudhir said.
“Their contribution to the economy and development of the UAE is widely recognised not only by the leaders and government of the UAE, but also by Emiratis in general.”
He pointed out: “Their sincerity in giving back to their motherland is a vital cog in the wheel of Indian national building.”
Indians gathered in the embassy and consulate auditoriums in Abu Dhabi and Dubai to sing the national anthem and other well-known patriotic songs.
Art exhibitions and quiz competitions have been held over the past few days as part of community celebrations.
*********************************************************************
Readers
These are extraordinary times. All of us have to rely on high-impact, trustworthy journalism. And this is especially true of the Indian Diaspora. Members of the Indian community overseas cannot be fed with inaccurate news.
Pravasi Samwad is a venture that has no shareholders. It is the result of an impassioned initiative of a handful of Indian journalists spread around the world. We have taken the small step forward with the pledge to provide news with accuracy, free from political and commercial influence. Our aim is to keep you, our readers, informed about developments at ‘home’ and across the world that affect you.
Please help us to keep our journalism independent and free.
In these difficult times, to run a news website requires finances. While every contribution, big or small, will makes a difference, we request our readers to put us in touch with advertisers worldwide. It will be a great help.
For more information: pravasisamwad00@gmail.com
