Flag hoisting, reception mark India’s 74th Independence Day anniversary |17 August 2020
HC Suhag and Vice-President Meriton proposing at toast at the evening reception at The H Resort
A flag hoisting ceremony to mark the 74th Independence Day of India was held at the premises of the high commission’s old Chancery building at Mont Fleuri on August 15, 2020.
The ceremony took place in the presence of high commission officials, officers on Itec deputation, their families and Seychelles-based NRIs, PIOs and friends of India.
The number of guests was strictly limited to enforce tenets of social distancing in place.
Excerpts from Indian President’s address to the nation on the eve of the Independence Day were read out by Shri Harsh Chirania, second secretary. This was followed by the high commissioner’s address.
In the evening, the high commissioner hosted the National Day Reception at The H Resort, Beau Vallon where local dignitaries, government officials and members of diplomatic missions were present. The chief guest of the function was Vice- President Vincent Meriton.
Among guests in attendance were former Speaker of the National Assembly, Nicholas Prea; President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Anthony Francis Fernando; former leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, Wavel Ramkalawan; former leader of government business in the National Assembly, Charles De Comarmond; Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports & Marine, Didier Dogley; Minister for Education & Human Resource Development, Jeanne Simeon; former Minister for Health, Jean-Paul Adam; secretary of state in the department of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Barry Faure; Attorney General Frank Ally; Auditor General Gamini Herath; former members of the 6th National Assembly; heads of diplomatic mission; representatives from the media and top government functionaries.
After the national anthems of both India and Seychelles, speeches were delivered by the high commissioner and the chief guest.
High Commissioner Gen. Dalbir Singh Suhag spoke about India-Seychelles bilateral relationship, India’s developmental assistance to Seychelles and Indian medical aid to IOR and Seychelles to combat Covid-19.
He also spoke about Atma Nirbhar Bharat and the steps taken by the government of India to make India self-reliant amid Covid-19.
He thanked the government of Seychelles for its support to India’s candidature for observer status at Indian Ocean Commission and other multilateral bodies.
Vice-President Meriton thanked India for the bilateral cooperation and assistance in meeting Seychelles’ infrastructural needs.
He reiterated the strong bonds of friendship between India and Seychelles and recalled the visit of President Danny Faure to India in 2018.
He also thanked India for the medical aid and the hydrography survey of Port Victoria.
About 70 guests attended the evening function which was restricted in numbers and also kept short due to Covid-19 pandemic.
Contributed by the Indian high commission
Photo sources: Indian high commission
