Indians abroad celebrate I-Day

Melbourne: Indians living in several parts of the world on Tuesday celebrated their homeland's 59th Independence Day with the hoisting of the tricolour by respective ambassadors amid mirth, enthusiasm and renewed pledge to safeguard the country's sovereignty and attain greater economic progress.

After unfurling the national tricolour, the heads of the missions read out President A P J Abdul Kalam's address to nation.

In Australia, while the Indian High Commissioner P P Shukla hoisted the Indian national flag at the Chancery building in Yarralumla suburb of Canberra, Honorary Indian Consul General Dr T J Rao performed the solemn act in Melbourne.

According to an Indian High Commission spokesman, Shukla read out President APJ Abdul Kalam's message to the nation delivered on the eve of the Independence in New Delhi, followed by rendition of patriotic songs by members of the local Indian community in a well-attended function.

In Thailand, Indian Ambassador Vivek Katju hoisted the tricolour before a gathering of over 300 members of the Indian community at the embassy in Bangkok.

The Ambassador then read out the President's Independence Day eve speech to the nation. Besides, an hour-long observance included rendering of patriotic songs by children of a local Thai-Sikh school and a Subramanyam Bharti nationalistic composition.

In Singapore, more than 600 Indians attended the flag hoisting ceremony at the High Commission. High Commissioner Alok Prasad read out President's address to the nation, while children from Indian schools in Singapore rendered patriotic songs. Indian High Commissioner Nirupama Rao, in Sri Lanka, hoisted the Tricolour in Colombo.

The gathering consisted of distinguished Indian citizens, including the Shillong Chamber Choir group.

In Bangladesh, High Commissioner Veena Sikri read out the Independence Day speech of Dr Kalam in a function at the High Commission premises attended by some 300 guest officials of the mission and members of the Indian community.

This was followed by musical soiree. Two children rendered patriotic songs at the function. In Bhutan, the tricolour was hoisted by Ambassador Sudhir Vyas at the Embassy Residence in Thimpu. Chamberlain to the Bhutan King, Dasho Dorji Gyeltshen, presented a scarf to Vyas on the occasion which was also attended by officers and other ranks of the Indian Military Training Team, the Border Roads Organisation and members of local Indian community.

In Nepal, a public function was addressed by Ambassador Shiv Shankar Mukherjee to mark the occasion at the Indian Mission in Kathmandu.