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R-Day celebration in U.S., U.K.

— Photo: PTI

CHEERS FOR INDIA: (From left) Ambassador to the United Nations Nirupam Sen, New Jersey Assemblyman Upendra J. Chivukula, Assemblyman Samuel D. Thompson, Marjorie Bloomberg Tiven, Commissioner for the United Nations Consular Corps and Protocol, New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine, Consul General of India Prabhu Dayal and the former Consul General, Harsh Bhasin, cutting the cake during the Republic Day celebrations at the Indian Consulate in New York on Monday.

Washington: Republic day was celebrated in the U.S., the U.K. and South Africa, with the unfurling of the Tricolour and peace prayers by Indians in these countries.

India’s Ambassador to the U.S. Ronen Sen unfurled the Tricolour at the Indian Embassy here, with a large number of community members attending the event. President Pratibha Patil’s message was read out on the occasion.

In London, the celebration was marked by a special prayer for peace and prosperity at the centuries-old Westminster Abbey, one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the world.

India’s High Commissioner Shiv Shanker Mukherjee and senior officials of the India House were present at the church as the ‘Evensong,’ a prayer ceremony, by the Lay Vicars of Westminster Abbey, was held “for the peace and prosperity of India, a member of the Commonwealth.”

Earlier, Mr. Mukherjee unfurled the National Flag at the India House to commemorate. He read out the President’s address to the nation on the eve of Republic Day.

At Edinburgh, Scotland, Republic Day was celebrated with a flag hoisting ceremony at the residence of Ramesh Chander, Consul General of India.

Mr. Chander said it was a matter of satisfaction that India was on rails in its development efforts but needed to “guard against fissiparous tendencies and communal divide.”

The Association of Indian Organisations and the Scottish Indian Cultural and Festival Committee, Glasgow, handed over a cheque of £1,000 to the Consul General for the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.

In South Africa, two prominent non-white politicians called for promotion of close bond with India. Leader of the ruling ANC in the KwaZulu-Natal province Zweli Mkhize and Mangosuthu Buthelezi, leader of the Inkatha Freedom Party, spoke at the Republic Day celebrations in Durban on Monday night.

They were part of over 600 prominent local leaders who attended the celebrations at the Durban City Hall, organised by Consul General Harsh Varshan Shringla.

The celebrations were characterised by Indian songs and classical dances performed by local Indian-origin artists.

Mr. Mkhize said, “India is now strengthening this bond by promoting and growing our economy in various areas.”

Mr. Shringla spoke about the growing political and economic relations between India and South Africa. — PTI

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