The Indian National Flag was ceremoniously unfurled at the Indian High Commission in London during the annual Independence Day gathering of hundreds of members of the British Indian diaspora community, who were out in full force to mark 78 years since India’s independence.
The festivities, held in a brightly decorated courtyard in the tricolour theme at India House on August 15, was led by Indian High Commissioner to the UK Vikram Doraiswami. He opened the proceedings with a reading from the traditional Independence Day address to the nation by Indian President Droupadi Murmu.
He shared: “We must remember the words of Dr B. R. Ambedkar, the architect of our Constitution. He had rightly said, and I quote, ‘We must make our political democracy a social democracy as well. Political democracy cannot last unless there lies at the base of its social democracy.’
“The steady progress of political democracy testifies to the progress made towards the consolidation of social democracy. The spirit of inclusion pervades every aspect of our social life. We move together as a cohesive nation with our diversity and plurality…
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“Climate change has become a reality. It is all the more challenging for developing nations to change their economic paradigm. Yet, we have already made more progress in that direction than expected. India is proud to be at the forefront of humankind’s battle to save the planet from the worst effects of global warming. I also urge you all to make small but effective changes in your lifestyle and contribute to the cause of dealing with the challenge of climate change.”
The festivities included a special Bharatanatyam performance by Indian classical dance exponent Kanaka Srinivasan’s troupe, ahead of a scheduled performance at the Bhavan Centre in London. There was widespread festive cheer as the crowds sang along to the flute renditions of ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Sare Jahan Se Acha’ by Gaurav Uniyal and enjoyed patriotic music including popular Bollywood numbers playing in the background.