Indian diaspora celebrates Republic Day with fervour

Unfurling of the National Flag, cultural programmes and festivities marked the 60th Republic Day celebrations by the Indian community all over the world with patriotic fervour and enthusiasm.

The Indian high commission in the Pakistani capital celebrated the Republic Day today, with high commissioner Sharat Sabharwal hoisting the national tricolour at an official function.

Sabharwal read out President Pratibha Patil's address to the nation on the eve of Republic Day and children of the high commission's staff performed patriotic songs.

The function was held at the high commission within the high-security diplomatic enclave in the heart of Islamabad.

The Indian high commission will host a special function in Pakistan's financial hub of Karachi on January 29 to mark the Republic Day for the first time in over 15 years in a bid to boost trade ties between the two countries.

In China, the Republic Day was celebrated with enthusiasm and traditional fervour at the Indian embassy in Beijing and the Indian Consulate in Shanghai.

Indian ambassador to China, S Jaishankar hoisted the national flag at the embassy premises in Beijing and read out president'a address to the nation. A number of Indians based in the Chinese capital attended the ceremony.

Jaishankar and his wife Kyoko Jaishnakar hosted a reception. In Shanghai, Indian consul general Riva Ganguly Das hoisted the National Flag.

Members of the Indian community including the Indian medical students from Suzhou and Nantong (Jiangsu province) attended the function.

'Sangeetam' a musical group under the Indian association rendered patriotic songs on the occasion.

In Singapore, students from Indian schools in Singapore joined the high commissioner TCA Raghavan and the local Indian community in celebrating the Republic Day.

The students sang patriotic songs and danced after Raghavan read out president's message to the country at the Indian high commission premises.

About 500 Indian professionals and Singapore Indian residents as well as students of the Indian schools in Singapore attended the event at the Grange Road complex. Last night, Raghavan hosted a Republic Day celebration at the Shangri-La hotel, with Singapore minister of environment and water resources Yaacob Ibrahim as the guest of honor.