Ambassador of India to Qatar H E Vipul (centre) with other officials during the flag hoisting at the ICC yesterday.
Doha, Qatar: The Indian community in Qatar celebrated the 77th Independence Day of India with great enthusiasm and patriotic fervour yesterday at the Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) premises.
Several hundred people including prominent members of the community gathered at ICC for flag hoisting and viewing the cultural program. Ambassador of India to Qatar H E Vipul, hoisted the Indian tricolor which was followed by singing of national anthem.
The Ambassador read out excerpts from President of India’s address to the nation on the eve of the Independence Day. He urged all Indians to follow the guidance of Prime Minister H E Narendra Modi and take the Panch Pran pledge to make India a developed nation by 2047.
In his remarks, the Ambassador expressed his happiness for being able to join the community to celebrate the special occasion. He also mentioned that this year marks a milestone for bilateral relations as it is the 50th year of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Qatar.
He took the opportunity to thank the Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Father Amir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, and the Government of Qatar for their constant support to Indians living in Qatar.
Ambassador of India to Qatar H E Vipul with community members during the event.
The Ambassador also expressed his and Embassy’s commitment to do everything in their capacity to ensure the welfare and well being of Indians living in Qatar. He assured that the Embassy’s doors will always be open for them all, more so for fellow Indian workers in need. He reiterated that under the leadership of Prime Minister H E Narendra Modi, the government of India is committed to the welfare of every Indian living abroad.
The Ambassador further highlighted that India and Qatar bilateral ties have come a long way in the past five decades to take shape of a multifaceted relation spanning across political, energy, economic, cultural, educational and people to people contacts. He added that the time is ripe to further strengthen the bilateral relations as India has set itself on an ambitious target to become a developed nation before the centenary celebrations of Independence in 2047.
The Ambassador appreciated the contribution of Indians to the development of Qatar as their second home. He especially commended the four apex bodies – ICC, ISC, ICBF and IBPC, for their contribution to strengthening cultural, business, educational, professional and people-to-people exchanges. He said that they have an important role in reaching out to a large number of Indians living in Qatar.
In his concluding remarks, the Ambassador appreciated the Indian community in Qatar for being the foundation on which India-Qatar relations have been built over decades. He urged them all to continue contributing in their own capacities for the development of both India and Qatar and for further enhancing India-Qatar bilateral relations.
There was also a spectacular cultural programme presented by school students and artists, who energized the crowd with patriotic songs and dances. The event was simultaneously live streamed online on social media handles and on YouTube Channel of the Embassy and ICC.
