Dazzling musical performance marks India’s Republic Day |28 January 2017
The Indian Association of Seychelles (IAS) organised a mesmerising musical evening on Thursday to mark India’s 68th Republic Day.
Held at the International Conference Centre (ICCS) the event saw performances by Rajesh Vaidya, a widely acclaimed Indian Veena player from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It was Mr Vaidya’s first visit to Seychelles and he was accompanied by the equally acclaimed band V5 The Gang of which he forms part.
The Veena is a multi-stringed chordophone of the Indian subcontinent. It is an ancient musical instrument that evolved into many variations, such as lutes, zithers and arched harps.
Books on ‘Incredible India’ were also on display in a kiosk in the lobby where the public could get information on India and on what the country has to offer.
Guests at the event included Vice-President Vincent Meriton; the Minister for Home Affairs Mitcy Larue; acting high commissioner of India Anindya Banerjee; Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Pillay; chairman of IAS Ramu Pillay and other members.
As is customary at Indian events of national importance, the evening started off with the lighting of the traditional lamp by spouses of prominent members of IAS. Major sponsors of the event and musicians of the V5 Gang were also honoured. Another highlight of the evening was the launch of the Indian Diaspora Magazine, dedicated to Indians who served the two nations – Seychelles and India – as one. It was Vice-President Meriton, Speaker Patrick Pillay and IAS chairman Ramu Pillay who had the honour of launching the book.
In his address, Ramu Pillay said the evening presented another opportunity for the IAS to promote the close ties that exist between the two countries.
He also announced as from this year the association will start recognising Seychellois-Indians who the association believes have made considerable contributions to the overall socio-economic development of Seychelles. To this effect, ten prominent Seychellois-Indian families have been honoured in the first edition of the magazine.
This is in line with Pravasi Bharathiya Divas, where Indians in all diasporas all over the world who have excelled in their adopted countries are considered for the Pravasi Bharathiya award.
“It is very important to remember the contributions that our Indian forefathers made to our melting pot Seychellois Nation. This year we have decided to honour 10 prominent Seychellois Indian families and from next year we will honour 5 persons for their contributions,” said Mr Pillay.
The ten families listed are Kantilal Jivan Shah (Kanti), Kali Deenadayalu Pillay, Shantilal Dhanjee, TMKR Kannusamy Pillay, GS Pillay, Mariapen Srinivasan Chetty, Sorab Jamshed Oliaji, Mekhjee Kalyanji, Suleman Adam Moosa and Pethu Rajagopal Naidoo.
“On this special day, we in India take immense pride in celebrating our close ties of friendship with the Republic of Seychelles. That has deepened and strengthened over the years covering all important spheres of culture, trade, technical and strategic cooperation and above all people to people contact,” said High Commissioner Banerjee.
He said during the last two years he has been in Seychelles, he has always admired the unity and diversity and the cultural synthesis between our two nations.
He also remarked that the wide popularity of the Seychelles-India Day celebrations and the decision by the government of Seychelles to declare it as a national event, are endorsements of the depth and appreciation of Indian culture in Seychelles.
