Islamabad/Beijing, (Jan-26-2013)Indians across the world soaked in the spirit of patriotism as they celebrated the Republic Day with fervour today to mark 64 years since the establishment of the Indian constitution. The Indian High Commission in the Pakistani capital celebrated the Republic Day today with High Commissioner Sharat Sabharwal hoisting the national tricolour at an official function.
Sabharwal read out President Pranab Mukherjee's address to the nation on the eve of Republic Day and children of the High Commission's staff performed patriotic songs. The High Commissioner later presented gifts to the children. The function was held at the High Commission within the high-security diplomatic enclave in the heart of Islamabad. At the Indian Embassy in Beijing, S Jaishankar, Ambassador to China, hoisted the tricolour at the new premises as celebrations marked India's Republic Day. After the flag hoisting ceremony, attended by a large gathering, Beijing-based Indian professionals and their families, Jaishankar read the message of the President. Later, noted Indian Bharatanatyam dancer and founder of Abhinaya Dance Centre in New Delhi, Jayalakshmi Eshwar performed along with her students at the Indian Embassy's cultural centre.
Last night Jaishankar hosted a Republic Day reception, which was attended by senior Chinese civil and military officials. Zhang Ping, Chairman of the National Development Reforms Commission (NDRC), a Chinese official body akin to Planning Commission of India and Vice Foreign Minister Fu Ying attended the reception, representing the Chinese government. A number of Chinese civil and military officials, besides diplomats of various countries attended colourful reception. In Guangzhou, Consulate General, K Nagraj Naidu hoisted the flag at the Indian Consulate. A number Indian businessmen and officials also attended the ceremony.
More than 500 Indians in Singapore joined the High Commissioner of India, Dr T C A Raghavan to celebrate the Republic Day. Raghavan unfurled the tricolour and read the President's speech. Students from local Indian schools sang the national anthem and patriotic songs. The High Commission in Singapore also hosted a tea
reception for the Indian community and friends of India. Traditional hoisting of the national tricolor, march past by children studying in Indian schools and cultural programmes marked celebrations in the Gulf region. Indian Embassies and Consulates across the Gulf region organised dinner receptions. The Indian ambassador to the Philippines Amit Dasgupta, today exhorted the Indian community to set an exemplary perception of India.
At the Republic Day celebration attended by multitude of Indian business community in Philippines, officials serving at the Asian Development Bank and the IT industry, the Indian tricolour was unfurled to the spirited singing of the national anthem by all those present. Dasgupta also read out the address by President Mukherjee and congratulated all those present on the occasion. He called upon the community to behave in the manner "befitting how India needs to be perceived". He also asked them to exercise vigilance and caution.
Dasgupta emphasised on the accessibility of all officials at the Indian Embassy for advancement of business interests and resolution of any issues pertaining to the community. Numerous young children in their colourful Indian outfits turned up at the morning festivity and heard President Mukherjee's message. India's national tricolour also fluttered proudly across South East Asia today with Indian expatriates thronging Indian embassies to take part in the festivities. India's Ambassador to Thailand, Anil Wadhwa, unfurled the flag at the Embassy premises here and read out President Mukherjee's address to the nation.
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