Indian community in Seychelles marks India’s Independence Day |16 August 2016
A large group of Indian nationals living and working in Seychelles yesterday morning gathered at India House, Au Cap for a flag-raising ceremony to commemorate their 70th Independence Day anniversary.
Following the flag-raising, Indian high commissioner Sanjay Panda read extracts of Indian President Pranab Mukherjee’s address to the Indian nation in which he extended “warm greetings to all brothers and sisters in India and abroad”.
“As we celebrate our seventieth Independence Day, I respectfully bow to the heroes of our independence struggle – known and unknown – who fought, suffered and sacrificed their lives to win freedom for us. Mahatma Gandhi's luminous leadership finally made the British quit India in 1947. When we gained independence in 1947, nobody believed that India will survive as a democracy. Yet, seven decades later, one and a quarter billion Indians with all their diversity have proved those forecasts wrong. The strong edifice of democracy built by our founding fathers on the four pillars of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity has withstood several threats from both within and without and has grown from strength to strength,” President Mukherjee said in his message.
Mr Panda took the opportunity to also extend good wishes to all Indians living and working in Seychelles and commended them for the good work they are doing which is contributing to the economic development and growth of Seychelles.
He also commended them for fostering the good relations between Seychelles and India.
The celebrations continued yesterday evening with an official gathering at the Kempinski Resort.
As part of the celebrations, a cultural show was also organised on Sunday evening at the International Conference Centre (ICCS).
