​Indians abroad mark 70th Republic Day

MOSCOW/BEIJING: The nation's 70th Republic Day was observed with patriotic fervour on Saturday at Indian missions in various nations with events that saw the participation of Indians living abroad.

The Indian Embassy in Russian capital Moscow celebrated Republic Day 2019 at an event attended by over 500 Indian citizens, people of Indian origin and Russian nationals.

The ceremony commenced with the unfurling of the national flag by Indian Ambassador to Russia Venkatesh Varma, followed by singing of the national anthem.

The ambassador read out President Ram Nath Kovind's address to the nation. The event also included a cultural performance by the children from the Embassy of India School in Moscow.

To mark the occasion, the 'Rossiskaya Gazeta' - a widely circulated newspaper in Russia - brought out a special supplement on India in cooperation with the Indian Embassy. The publication contained articles, providing insight into the special and privileged strategic partnership between India and Russia.

In Chinese capital Beijing, a large Indian diaspora attended Republic Day celebrations at the Indian Embassy.

India's new Ambassador to China, Vikram Misri, hoisted the tricolour and read out the president's address.

Hundreds of Indian expats from across the UAE celebrated Republic Day at the Consulate General of India in Dubai.

The tricolour was hoisted by the Consul General of India in Dubai, Vipul, at the consulate as residents and visitors sang patriotic songs and took pictures alongside the Indian flag, the Khaleej Times reported.

After the flag-hoisting ceremony, the consul ceneral greeted people gathered at the event and read out the president's address to the nation.

The consul general also honoured two war heroes and parents of martyrs at the ceremony.

Children and adults decked in traditional wear were seen with miniature Indian flags on the occasion.

A large number of eminent Indian Americans gathered at the Consulate General of India in the US city of Houston early on Saturday morning to mark Republic Day with fanfare and fervour.

Consul General Anupam Ray hoisted the national flag amid a rendition of the national anthem.

Ray paid rich tributes to Indian soldiers who guard the borders in extreme conditions as the consul general and his wife welcomed Indian-Americans, and others for the flag-hoisting ceremony.

Member of the US House of Representatives, Pete Olson and Fort Bend County Judge, K P George were among those who attended the event.

Republican Congressman Olson, clad in Indian attire, greeted everyone present on Republic Day, saying "the US is proud of a great friendship with India and today we celebrate India becoming a republic and it signifies the special bond between the world's oldest and largest democracies. This bond encompasses shared values, commercial trade and mutual security".

"The US and India, the world's largest democracies, share much in common, and I look forward to working with members of both communities towards a prosperous future for all," Indian-American George said.