THE Indian community in Bahrain celebrated the nation’s 76th Independence Day yesterday with a number of colourful and vibrant events.
After a gap of two years, the Indian Embassy opened the doors of its complex in Seef District to the community to be part of a flag-raising ceremony in the morning.
More than 1,000 people attended the event as Ambassador Piyush Srivastava hoisted the Indian tricolour with the national anthem playing. He also read out a message from Indian President Droupadi Murmu.
The envoy also released the Indian Community Relief Fund (ICRF) Bulletin which highlights the activities of the organisation in the past one year. Present were ICRF committee members.
Mr Srivastava presented prizes to Ajith Kochaniyan, Ankita Srivastava and Nitin Jayadeep, the three winners from Bahrain of the virtual quiz on ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ (75 years of Independence), launched by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March last year.
All those who attended the embassy event were treated to breakfast.
Later in the evening, the ambassador and his wife Monika hosted a dinner reception for invited guests at the Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence and Spa.
Foreign Ministry Under-Secretary for Political Affairs Dr Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa attended the reception.
The event also featured a short cultural programme and was attended by Bahraini and Indian dignitaries, diplomats, members of the media and business fraternity and social and community leaders.
As part of the celebrations, the embassy complex was lit up in the colours of the Indian flag.
Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam (BKS) president P V Radhakrishna Pillai raised the Indian flag at Independence Day celebrations at the samajam premises in Segaiya. Present were committee members.
Meanwhile, Indian Club president K M Cherian also hoisted the Indian flag at the club’s premises in Manama, in the presence of committee and community members.
The day also marked the end of the club’s week-long celebrations marking India’s 76th Independence Day and 50 years of Bahrain-India ties.
Several other Indian associations also celebrated the day with programmes including seminars, workshops and other engagements with Indian workers at labour camps.
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