India celebrates 67th Independence Day |16 August 2014

Indians living and working in Seychelles celebrated India’s 67th Independence Day at the high commissioner’s residence, India House, Au Cap yesterday.

The event, the highlight of which was a flag raising ceremony, was hosted by the newly sworn in high commissioner of India to Seychelles, Sanjay Kumar Panda and his wife and was attended by some dignitaries, businessmen and Indian workers.

As customary, the high commissioner read out a message by the President of India, Pranad Mukherjee, for the occasion.

“The message of the President of India is a remarkable address where he shows his commitment and dedication towards the progress of our country. He also stresses on how to move from alleviation of poverty to elimination of poverty, on other economic successes, protection of the environment and being a modern nation. Seychelles and India has very close traditional and cultural links. Within the 72 hours I have been in Seychelles, I am deeply impressed with the depth of our bilateral relationship. I had a wonderful meeting with the Seychelles President and the Vice-President where we discussed how to pursue our relationship,” said the high commissioner.

He added that the real ambassadors of India are the Indians living in Seychelles. “We are the face of India and the future is very bright. This bilateral relationship has lots of potential and we have common interests. We all have to work together,” concluded Mr Panda.

After the traditional flag raising ceremony, all those in attendance sang the national anthem of India. And after reading the Indian President’s message, the high commissioner greeted his fellow companions and invited them to celebrate India Day with some sweets and refreshments.