India’s 64th Republic Day celebrations
The High Commission of India and the Indian expatriate community in
Sri Lanka celebrated the 64th Republic Day of India on Saturday, 26
January, 2013 at India House in Colombo.
The High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha unfurled the National Flag and
inspected a Guard of Honour presented by the BSF contingent. He read out
significant excerpts from the Address to the Nation on the eve of the
Republic Day by the Hon’ble President of India Pranab Mukherjee.
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Scenes from National Day celebrations |
The High Commissioner noted that the President of India had
highlighted that India has changed more in last six decades than in six
previous centuries and the foundations were laid through our
Constitution, which represented a second liberation from the
stranglehold of traditional inequity in gender, caste, community, etc.
In the last six decades, India’ economic growth has more than
tripled, literacy rate has increased by over four times, there has been
significant reduction in poverty, India is now net exporter of
foodgrains and there has been a drive towards gender equality.
He said that the President’s message underlined that India’s most
impregnable asset is self-belief and each challenge becomes an
opportunity to strengthen our resolve to achieve unprecedented economic
growth and social stability.
Speaking about the state of India-Sri Lanka relations, High
Commissioner highlighted that it is a very special relationship based
both on shared heritage and shared interests. He noted that the last
year witnessed dynamic developments in our strong, friendly and
time-tested relations with Sri Lanka.
Referring to recently held 8th meeting of the Joint Commission
co-chaired by the Ministers of External Affairs of the two countries, He
said that it took stock of the entire gamut of our relationship and
agreed on many new initiatives. He underlined the strong commitment on
both sides to take the relationship, renew and enlarge it continuously.
He referred to high-level exchanges of visits including the visit of
H.E. the President of Sri Lanka to India in September 2012, two
high-level Parliamentary delegations led by Hon’ble Speaker of Lok Sabha
and Hon’ble Leader of Opposition, Lok Sabha and the visits of the
Ministers of External Affairs.
High Commissioner called people-to-people links constituting the
bedrock of our relationship and referred to successful exposition of
Sacred Kapilavastu Relics in Sri Lanka.
He underlined the growing economic ties between the two countries and
that India was the leading source country in terms of foreign tourist
arrivals and foreign direct investment into Sri Lanka. He referred to
the decision to double bilateral trade to US$ 10 billion by 2015 and to
move towards an enhanced framework for a special economic partnership.
He mentioned about several new initiatives and projects which are in
the pipeline including Sampur Power Plant, new manufacturing zones and
exploration of feasibility of physical connectivity across Palk Strait.
He reiterated that India is committed to being a partner of Sri Lanka in
meeting its aspirations of peace, harmony and development.
A brief cultural programme organized by the Indian Cultural Centre
followed. Its highlights were singing of patriotic songs and dance
performances by the students of the Indian Cultural Centre.
Subsequently, the High Commissioner of India and other officials of the
High Commission paid their respects to the memory of fallen soldiers of
the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in a solemn ceremony at the IPKF
memorial in Colombo.
To commemorate India’s 64th Republic Day, reputed R. Ramachandra Nair
and Madhava Madam C V N Kalari Sangam presented “Kalarippayattu”, a
martial art form from Kerala at the Lionel Wendt Auditorium on January
25. The troupe, sponsored by Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR)
performinged in Jaffna on January 28 and will perform in Kandy on
January 31.
Consulates General of India in Jaffna and Hambantota and the
Assistant High Commission of India in Kandy also celebrated the 64th
Republic Day by organizing flag hoisting ceremony.
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