The country’s Indian expatriates celebrated the South Asian country’s 63rd Republic Day at a ceremony held at the Indian embassy yesterday. While highlighting the importance of the occasion, India’s Ambassador to Qatar Deepa Gopalan Wadhwa told the gathering to recall the strides made by the country since it became a republic on January 26, 1950. It was on this day that Indian parliament adopted the country’s constitution. Ambassador Wadhwa called upon the people to help build a strong, prosperous nation based upon a firm system of values. Earlier, she hoisted the Indian tricolour at the embassy to mark the occasion. The ambassador also reminded the gathering that whatever advances have occurred in the country’s science and technology sector, it has only contributed to the human welfare and the people need to take advantage from such developments. Reading out from a copy of the address made by India’s President Pratibha Patil to her compatriots on the eve of the day, Wadhwa said that her country has a predominantly young population with over 70% below the age of 35 years. Hence, she said, a major challenge is lying ahead to educate and train its people to be independent for the future. “We are living in a world of complexities where everyone faces huge challenges. Every country is dependant on the other as the forces of globalisation have created an interdependent world,” she pointed out. The envoy said that besides the country’s unity, the people’s firm belief in its age old values, ideals of its freedom movement, the principles of the constitution and aspiration to grow further would help Indians to build a strong nation. Quoting from national poet Rabindra Nath Tagore, she said: “Every great people holds its history so valuable ... it contains not mere memories, but hope and therefore the image of the future.” The past of India has been glorious and so must be its future, the ambassador added. At the event, students from Ideal Indian School rendered patriotic songs. Visually-impaired budding singer from DPS-Modern Indian School Vasundhara Datturi entertained the gathering with memorable songs highlighting India’s national integrity. Later, the ambassador jointly cut a cake with schoolchildren to mark the occasion. In the evening, another Republic Day function was organised at the Diplomatic Club. Qatar Minister for Culture, Art and Heritage HE Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz al-Kuwari joined the Ambassador Wadhwa to cut a cake. Emir, Heir Apparent and Premier send greetings The Emir HH Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani has sent a cable of congratulations to India’s President Pratibha Patil on the occasion of her country’s national day. The Heir Apparent HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani also sent a cable of congratulations to the Indian president, as did Premier and Foreign Minister HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani. Gulf Times

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