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Friday, 27 January 2017 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The High Commission of India and the Indian expatriate community in Sri Lanka celebrated the 68th Republic Day of India yesterday, 26 January, at India House in Colombo.
High Commissioner Taranjit Singh Sandhu unfurled the Indian flag and inspected a Guard of Honour presented by a contingent of the Border Security Force. He read out excerpts from the Address to the Nation on the eve of the Republic Day by President of India Pranab Mukherjee.
The High Commissioner, while reading out excerpts, credited strong democratic institutions built over the last six-and-a-half decades for making India an oasis of stability. He highlighted India’s achievement in social, political and economic fields in the last six and half decades.
Today, India is the fastest growing economy amongst the major economies of the world. India is the second largest reservoir of scientific and technical manpower, the third largest army, the sixth member of the nuclear club, the sixth member in the race for space, and the 10th largest industrial power. From a net food grains importing country, India is now a leading exporter of food commodities.
Highlighting recent initiatives of the Government of India, the President mentioned flagship initiatives such as Swachh Bharat Mission, MGNREGA, Aadhaar, Digital India program, Start-up India, Atal Innovation Mission, and Skill India initiative.
The High Commissioner congratulated the Government of Sri Lanka on completion of two years in office. Stating that Sri Lanka continues to be a key part of India’s “neighbourhood first” policy, he expressed hope that Sri Lankan businesses will take advantage of their proximity to the fastest growing major economy in the world.
The High Commissioner added that India’s total development assistance commitment to Sri Lanka is now around $ 2.6 billion, with over $ 435 million as outright grants. High Commissioner stated that the Indian flagship housing project, aiming to construct 50,000 houses, is proceeding well with over 45,300 houses constructed till date. The High Commissioner cautioned against the threat posed by the dark forces of terrorism and stressed the necessity of defeating these forces decisively.
The High Commissioner and 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 68th Republic Day, famous Odissi dance group from India ‘Rudrakshya’ led by Guru Sri Bitchitrananda Swain performed a concert ‘Taal Taranga’ on 25 January at the Bishop’s College Auditorium, Colombo. Mano Ganesan, Minister of National Co-existence Dialogue and Official Languages, was the Chief Guest at the function. The performance was extremely well received.
The Consulates General of India in Jaffna and Hambantota and the Assistant High Commission of India in Kandy also celebrated the 68th Republic Day by organising flag hoisting ceremonies last morning.
