The Indian High Commission in London hoisted the Indian Tricolour and celebrated India’s 77th Independence Day with great fervour, with over 500 people of Indian origin converging upon a vibrantly adorned India House in the colours of the Indian National Flag.
The festivities, held in the courtyard at the back of India’s UK mission, was led by Indian High Commissioner to the UK Vikram Doraiswami alongside representatives from the Indian military, visiting National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets as well as members of the Indian National Blind Cricket Team.
In a nod to India playing host for the first time to the Motorcycle Grand Prix at the Buddh circuit in Uttar Pradesh, northern India, next month, the High Commissioner kicked off the celebrations by riding in on a borrowed Ducati motorbike along with fellow riders.
Several community leaders and members of the diaspora of all ages were gathered, waving the Indian National flag and singing the National Anthem, with patriotic chants periodically ringing out in the air. The Bharatiya Vrund Gaan choir, led by British Indian musician Rakesh Joshi (pictured above), performed ‘Vande Mataram’ and other melodies to commemorate the festive occasion.
Doraiswami told ANI: “So many friends from the Indian community and PIO [People of Indian Origin] community turned out. Even shall we say friends of India, Britons who are not just of Indian origin also turned up.
“There's a lot to celebrate about India. And I think they turned up in big numbers today more than we anticipated. We thought maybe 300 will come. We had nearly double the number turning up. Even though it's a working day for people in the UK, people turned up, people really seemed to be enjoying themselves.
“So, it was great to have so many of our friends here celebrating India on its 77th birthday.”
*With ANI Inputs
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