The Republic Day was celebrated not only in India, but also by the Indians living abroad. Indian Ambassador to the US Arun K Singh unfurled the Indian national flag at the Indian Embassy in Washington. A large number of Indian Americans gathered to celebrate, even as the city struggles to recover from a blizzard.
Singh paid floral tributes to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, before he hoisted the tricolour. He addressed the Indian American community and read out the speech of President Pranab Mukherjee delivered on the eve of Republic Day. Similar Republic Day celebrations were held at other Indian diplomatic missions in New York, Chicago, Houston, Atlanta and San Francisco and the Permanent Mission of India to the UN. The Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) hosted the Republic Day celebrations over the weekend in Chicago on January 24. The Consulate General of India observed the event by hoisting a flag at Consul General Parvatheneni Harish's home. The Consul General and his wife welcomed all Indian-Americans, and friends of India. “It is indeed a great honour to be raising the Indian flag,” Harish said as he saluted the flag in Houston. He read out the Presidents' speech and extended his greetings.
Similarly, the Indian community in the Polish capital of Warsaw, braved the biting cold and rains to assemble at the newly built Indian embassy. Indian Ambassador to Poland Ajay Bisaria unfurled the Indian flag and read out President Pranab Mukherjee's speech. Bisaria addressed the assembly and said that a Polish delegation led by the deputy prime minister will attend the 'Make in India' festival in Mumbai in February and, trade between both the countries will touch $5 billion by the end of 2017.
