Flag raising ceremony marks India’s Independence anniversary | 16 August 2019
HC Suhag addressing the gathering during the flag raising ceremony yesterday
The Indian diaspora living and working in Seychelles celebrated the 73rd Indian Independence Day during a ceremony held at the Palais des Sports yesterday morning.
India celebrates its Independence Day on August 15 each year, commemorating the nation’s independence from British rule on August 15, 1947.
The event started off with a solemn flag-raising by newly appointed Indian high commissioner to Seychelles, General Dalbir Singh Suhag, followed by the national anthem of India.
In his speech, High Commissioner Suhag requested for the Indians present to re-dedicate themselves to preserving the unity and diversity of India, and show respect to other religions, culture, values and customs.
He noted that India has become one of the world’s largest economies, transforming into a modern, developed, progressive and democratic nation over its 72-year journey since independence.
“India has also emerged as one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, accounting for nearly 15% of global growth. India is now a $2.726 trillion economy projected to become a 3 trillion dollar economy in the current year. It is now the sixth largest in the world. Five years ago, it was at the 11th position and is projected to become the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2022,” HC Suhag remarked.
In regards to the Indo-Seychelles bilateral relationship, HC Suhag listed down a number of initiatives in which India is assisting Seychelles.
These include the construction of a government house, new police headquarters, new Attorney General's office, and a Mahatma Gandhi convention centre at Ile Aurore on a grant basis as part of an initiative under the India-Africa Forum Summit.
HC Suhag also took the opportunity to commend the Indian diaspora in Seychelles for their hard work and contributions, inviting them to take part in various development and investment programmes in India.
“The Indian community in Seychelles has proved its capabilities in various sectors of economy like retail trade and construction, and are leaders of business and society in Seychelles today. Above all the Indian diaspora has made India proud by being a law abiding, peaceful community that contributes greatly to the prosperity of Seychelles.”
The customary message from the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, was also read out in which he highlighted the progress the country has made up until now.
President Kovind said the changes made in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh recently will enable the people to access and enjoy the same rights, same privileges and same facilities as their fellow citizens in the rest of the country
He further congratulated India voters for enthusiastically participating in the recent democratic elections democratic elections and stated his appreciation for the passing of various historical bill such as the Triple Talaq bill, which bans the pronouncement of talaq three times by a Muslim man to his wife resulting in an instant and irrevocable divorce.
The Independence Day celebrations at the Palais des Sports yesterday also included numerous colourful and engaging cultural performances followed by refreshments.
