London/Singapore, Aug 15 (PTI): Indian missions on Friday celebrated the country’s 79th Independence Day with the same enthusiasm and spirit as their compatriots back home.
Hundreds of people of Indian heritage gathered at the High Commission of India in London to celebrate the Independence Day, with music, dance and patriotic slogans.
Indian High Commissioner to the UK Vikram Doraiswami opened the festivities by unfurling the Tricolour followed by the National Anthem echoing across the India House courtyard in Aldwych.
“Independence Day is an opportunity for, not just Indian citizens, but friends of India including among the diaspora to come and reconnect with India,” Doraiswami told PTI.
The Indian High Commissioner in Singapore, Shilpak Ambule, on the occasion shared India’s views on terrorism through an elaborate exhibition on some of the terror attacks the country had tackled.
Students from Indian schools in the city state sang patriotic songs and performed traditional dances at the Independence Day event attended by some 800 Indians living in the city state.
Speaking to PTI this morning, Ambule said, “We wanted to make sure that message (India’s stand on terrorists) goes through to the Indian diaspora through the exhibition.”
“Op Sindoor is a new normal. We will not differentiate between the terrorists and the sponsors of terrorists,” he stressed.
The Indian Embassy in Thimphu, Bhutan, celebrated the occasion with patriotic fervor comprising melodious rendition of patriotic songs by artists from Bhutan and students from the Nehru-Wangchuck Culture Centre, Thimphu.
Ambassador Sudhakar Dalela unfurled the tricolour as a large number of fellow Indians and friends from Bhutan joined the celebrations at India House.
Dalela read out the address to the nation by President Droupadi Murmu on the eve of Independence Day.
Indian Embassy in Nepal hosted a colourful event comprising spirited performances of patriotic songs and dances by students from the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre of the Embassy and Kendriya Vidyalaya, Kathmandu.
The Embassy also announced book grants to 39 educational institutions and libraries across 7 provinces of Nepal on the occasion, the Indian mission informed on social media.
The High Commission of India in Islamabad marked the 79th Independence Day with Chargé d'affaires Geetika Srivastava hoisting the Tricolour and reading out of "Address to the Nation" by President Murmu.
The Embassy of India in Doha, Qatar, offered floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on the occasion while children showcased vibrant cultural performance.
Indian community in Kuwait joined the Indian mission in the #HarGharTiranga campaign on the 79th Independence Day of India, “honouring our tricolour and the spirit of unity”, informed the mission on social media.
In UAE, the Indian Embassy showcased a special exhibition on ‘human cost of terrorism’ on the occasion of Independence Day.
“The exhibition highlighted the human impact of terrorism in India and beyond, and efforts to combat terrorism,” the mission shared on social media.
The Consulate General of India in Jeddah celebrated the day with pride, patriotism, and the vibrant spirit of unity.
Consul General Fahad Ahmed Khan Suri hoisted the National Flag, and read the Hon'ble President of India's message.
Guests were treated to a wide array of Indian regional cuisines, representing the rich cultural diversity of the country, the mission posted on social media.
India’s Ambassador to Israel, JP Singh, hoisted the tricolour to celebrate the occasion in the presence of about 350 people from the Indian community.
In his address to the community, Singh emphasised efforts to deepen “our strategic relationship as one team India”.
“Both countries have stood by each other during hours of crises and as democracies with common values respect each other - at the leadership level as well as at the people’s level”, he told the gathering.
“Israel is home to about forty thousand Indians. I can see the warmth Israelis have for Indians. In particular, they are very appreciative of our workforce and our caregivers”, Singh pointed out
The Indian High Commission in Colombo also organised a ceremony on the occasion while reaffirming its commitment to “Viksit Bharat”.
“Marking this #IndependenceDay2025, High Commissioner Santosh Jha hoisted the #Tiranga at India House, Colombo, as the Indian diaspora in Sri Lanka celebrated with pride & unity, reaffirming their commitment to a #ViksitBharat,” Indian mission posted on X.
In Tokyo, the Indian mission shared the address to the Nation by the Hon’ble President of India Droupadi Murmu.
Ambassador Sibi George interacted with Indian school students on the occasion.
India’s High Commissioner to the Maldives, G Balasubramanian, hoisted the Tricolour and celebrated the occasion in the presence of the enthusiastic Indian community in the Maldives.
Indian Ambassador to China Pradeep Kumar Rawat hoisted the tricolour in Beijing and read excerpts from President Murmu’s address to the nation, followed by cultural events.
In Shanghai, Indian Consul General Pratik Mathur hoisted the tricolour at the chancery premises.
The event was attended by over 200 Indian nationals residing within the consulate’s jurisdiction spanning across Shanghai Municipality and the provinces of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, along with distinguished guests, community leaders, friends of India from the local Chinese community, and members of the diplomatic corps, a press release from the consulate said. PTI GS/HM/KJV/RD/AK RD
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