Thousands of Indians across the world enthusiastically celebrated the 71st Republic Day on Sunday and participated in various cultural events with unfurling of the tricolour and singing of the national anthem.
Enthusiastic Indian Americans celebrated the R-Day outside the country's embassy in Washington DC with much fervour, even as a dozen pro-Khalistani supporters tried to dampen their spirit by raising anti-India slogans. While the diaspora celebrated the Republic Day, about 10-12 pro-Khalistani supporters present outside the embassy raised anti-India slogans and attempted to burn the tri-colour along with copies of the Indian Constitution. Amit Kumar, India's Charge d'affaires at Washington, unfurled the tricolour and reading out President Ram Nath Kovind's Republic Day address.
A flag-hoisting ceremony was held with much gaiety at the Embassy of India, Berlin to mark the 71st Republic Day. The ‘tiranga’ was unfurled by the Ambassador of India to Germany Mrs. Mukta Dutta Tomar, followed by singing of the National Anthem. The Ambassador conveyed warm greetings and felicitations to the Indian community and read out President’s address to the Nation which is traditionally delivered on the eve of the Republic Day.
Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Taranjit Singh Sandhu led the Indian community during the celebrations at the India House on Sunday. Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, along with his wife Shiranthi Rajapaksa, joined the Indian diaspora to celebrate the day organised by the Indian High Commission at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall in Colombo on Saturday.
The High Commission of India in Canberra, Australia, organised the event at the India House. Celebrations to mark the day were also organised by the Consulate Generals of India in Sydney and Melbourne. The Indian High Commission in Pakistan celebrated the day with Charge d'affaires Gaurav Ahluwalia hoisting the tricolour and reading out President Ram Nath Kovind's address. "High Commission of India in Pakistan celebrated the 71st Republic Day with great enthusiasm and joy," the Indian High Commission in Pakistan tweeted. "A cultural program presented by members of the High Commission of India enthralled the audience. The performances brought out the beauty, diversity and the idea of India contained in the Constitution," it said.
In Bangladesh, Indian High Commissioner Riva Ganguly Das unfurled the national flag and read out President Kovind's address. "Young Children from the Indian Community presented a cultural program. Members of the Indian Community participated in large numbers," the Indian High Commission in Dhaka tweeted. The Mahar regimental band of the Indian Army, which was specially flown in for the occasion, played the national anthem. In Nepal, members of the Indian community, friends of India and officials participated in the Republic Day celebrations at the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu.
Indian Ambassador to Israel Sanjeev Singla hoisted the national flag and read out the President's message as he joined the Indian community during the Republic Day celebrations at the Embassy in Tel Aviv. Members of the Indian community in New Zealand took part in the Republic Day celebrations organised by the Indian High Commission in Wellington. Hundreds of Indian expatriates took part in cultural events organised by the Indian missions in the UAE. Indian Ambassador to the UAE Pavan Kapoor hoisted the national flag at the embassy premises in Abu Dhabi. Consul General of India in Dubai Vipul hoisted the flag at the Indian Consulate. Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in China cancelled the Republic Day ceremony in view of the coronavirus outbreak
