Thursday 28 / November / 2024
Muscat: The Embassy of India celebrated the 74th Republic Day of India with a colorful flag unfurling ceremony and a grand evening reception on 26th January 2023.
Ambassador Amit Narang unfurled the National Flag on the morning of 26th January after paying floral tributes at Mahatma Gandhi’s statue.
This was followed by the National Anthem and reading out of the President’s address to the Nation by the Ambassador.
More than 500 people from the Indian Community, friends of India in Oman, embassy officials, and representatives from the media participated with great enthusiasm and patriotic fervour in the joyous celebration.
Students of Indian School Maabela enlivened the occasion with their soulful rendition of patriotic songs.
To mark the Republic Day, Ambassador Amit Narang hosted a gala reception on the same day in the evening in which Dr Mahad bin Said bin Ali Baowain, Minister of Labour of the Sultanate of Oman graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Sheikh Khalifa bin Isa Al Harthy, Undersecretary for Diplomatic Affairs, Foreign Ministry, Pankaj Khimji, Advisor for Foreign Trade and International Cooperation at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, Faisal bin Abdullah bin Saeed Al-Rawas, Chairman of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), members of State Council and Majlis Al Shura, other senior government officials, ambassadors in Muscat as well as distinguished members of Omani and Indian community attended the reception.
Chief Guest of the day together with Ambassador Amit Narang unveiled the uniquely designed G20 logo titled ‘India-Oman : Together in G20’ signifying the special invite India has extended to Oman as a guest country for G20 meetings and Summit during India’s presidency.
Addressing the gathering, Ambassador spoke about why India matters to the world, highlighting the size, scale, and diversity of the country, the unprecedented economic growth, and the historic digital revolution India is witnessing.
He also extended warm greetings to His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and noted that India will be a ready partner in the realisation of His Majesty’s ‘Oman Vision 2040’.
The reception also featured a range of captivating cultural performances, including elegantly curated Indian classical dance by a talented group of teenagers from Salalah, a mesmerising musical band by students of Indian School Ghubra.
The reception also featured a wide variety of Indian delicacies, which added to the festive atmosphere of the event. Since 2023 is designated as the International Year of Millets by the United Nations, following a proposal by India, a special stall was set up giving a millet culinary experience to the guests.
An added attraction were the three ‘Selfie with India’ corners enabling the guests to photograph themselves with the life-size exhibits of some the iconic architectural wonders of India.
