The 68th Republic Day of India was celebrated at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan on February 8 at a function marked by speeches from dignitaries, including Deputy High Commissioner of India to the UK, Dinesh Patnaik, Lord Bhiku Parekh and Lord Navnit Dholakia, followed by a short cultural programme of music and dance.
Speaking on the occasion, chief guest Dinesh Patnaik lamented the defensive attitude of Indians despite doing so well in every walk of life.
He said: “We are a 1.5-million-strong community here, we are one of the strong foundations of this country, we have done well in every walk of life but yet we are always defensive. We are the largest democracy in the world, fastest growing economy among large democracies in the world and yet we have always been defensive about what we are.”
The Deputy High Commissioner said Indians here don’t demand their rights. “I meet MPs, Lords and businesspeople. What I find is they listen to people but we don’t approach them. Our constituents don’t write to MPs saying that they should be more close to India, our people don’t actually go for and demand their own rights. When it comes to debate on Indian Parliament I find only 2 MPs who stand up and speak and 27 MPs speaking on the other side. This makes me feel sad sometimes because this is not what it should be. We are stronger than them, we are more than them and we are a prosperous community, everybody recognises the great contribution the Indian community is making but we can’t get together. This is, for whatever reason, happening.”
He said the High Commission is doing its best to reach out to Indians here. “We are reaching out to Indians. We are going to talk to you but we also need you to talk to us. We need you to give us ideas, to speak to us, to be able to speak to your constituents, to your people in your constituencies, in your area, in your communities, to your MPs, to the representatives. I found there are certain MPs who have, let’s say 10% Indians in their constituency and 5% of some other community. But that 5% is able to build a greater influence on them than the 10% Indians and this should change. I need your support in this. If we all are ambassadors of India then we should start behaving like this.”
Shedding light on democracy and republic, Lord Bhiku Parekh said democracy refers to a form of government, while republic refers to a form of social order.
He said: “A republic is committed to social and economic equality. The other thing is Republic implies, what Dr B R Ambedkar calls, ResPublica – a public institution. It should not be used for private purposes. And it also implies active citizenship. Citizens must take active ownership of the state and make it their own by constant participation.
“And the point of Republic Day is to remind ourselves from time to time that we are not just a democracy but we are also a republic committed to certain great ideas.”
Lord Navnit Dholakia said: “If you want to see how a community develops itself and continues to work for the betterment of the country and then look at the Indian community here. This is a community that keeps it to itself but contributes to wider society, this is a community which came to this country with just 3 pounds in their pockets and developed the economy of this country, set up cultural and educational institutions. This is also a country which has produced a large number of prominent Indians who are playing an important role in the UK.
“The contribution of our community in making this country has been so unique. Who would have thought a few years ago that Narendra Modi will be received both by the Palace and the British Prime Minister which has raised the profile of our community in this country.”
He added the Indian High Commission has changed a lot. Instead of just being part of the diplomatic set-up in the UK, they are now reaching out, giving that helping hand to the Indian community.
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan chairman Joginder Sanger and executive director, Dr M Nandakumara, also spoke on the occasion. Padma Shri Dr John Marr delivered the vote of thanks.
