Under the blanket of cloudy skies on Sunday 21st Aug, the High Commission of India celebrated India’s 69th Independence Day. To mark the occasion like in previous years on the grounds of the Indian Gymkhana Club in Osterley, west London. The flag was hoisted at 11am by H. E. Mr. Navtej Sarna alongside the chief guest, the Union Minister of Food and Public Distribution, Mr Ram Vilas Paswan, with the chorus of people gathered singing the national anthem in the background. The dignitaries were later joined on the stage by Mr Virendra Sharma MP, Seema Malhotra MP, Mr Rami Ranger and others.
The High Commissioner said in his speech, “That nobody in the world despite its huge challenges it faces is a uniquely successful democracy. Being present with such a large presence of the Indian diaspora underlines for me the important of the diaspora in the India-UK relationship. You form only 2% of this country’s population but you contribute 6% to its GDP. 1.5 million people of Indian origin, another 325,000 people who are Non Resident Indians have become a significant factor in the policy of this country as is obvious by present of the distinguished leaders on stage with me.”
The Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan,who addressed the crowd in Hindi, thanked everyone gathered to mark the occasion on India’s Independence. He said “I knew the High Commission in UK was big, having visited it several times. But this large gathering of people today is something I had not expected. I, on the behalf of the motherland and on behalf of freedom am glad to see the dedication, love and even though www have be away from our homeland but the heart is still rooted.”
Mr Rami Ranger on the occasion read out a statement sent by Priti Patel MP, Secretary of State for International Development. The message “India is the world’s rising star. It is driven by the spirt of its people and the power of tis global vision which is why India is shaping today’s world. The visit by PM Modi last year marked a new era of the UK-India relationship. We are two outward looking nations shaping a global future. The world’s oldest democracy working hand in hand with the world’s largest democracy.”
The walk-in event saw hundreds of people descend on the grounds of the Gymkhana during the course of the day. Following the speeches the day was packed with entrainment in the form of singing, dancing, and playacts by people representing the different states of the republic. Alongside the entertainment there were stalls from various community organisations and official organisations like Air India, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Indian banks, mobile service providers, food providers and restaurants. On the other side of the Gymkhana, on the hockey pitch, participants took part in the painting the largest Indian Flag outside India on a giant canvas. The event by the UK Asian Business Council is set to be recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records.
