Published: 16 August 2024
Ambassador praises significant role played by Indian community in boosting India-Qatar ties
NT Bureau
Doha
Indians in Qatar celebrated the 78th Independence Day on Thursday, with the official flag-hoisting ceremony held at the Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) in Doha.
The ceremony commenced with the hoisting of the tricolour by Ambassador H E Mr Vipul, followed by the singing of the Indian National Anthem. The Ambassador also read the Address to the Nation delivered by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, on the eve of Independence Day. As part of the ceremony, floral tributes were paid to Mahatma Gandhi, a symbol of peace and non-violence, by the Ambassador and community leaders.
In his address, Ambassador Vipul extended warm Independence Day greetings to the attendees, expressing his pride in the large gathering. He remarked, ” I feel very proud and happy that so many of us have gathered here this morning in such large numbers to celebrate our Independence Day.”
“It has been almost one year since I took charge as the Ambassador of India here in Qatar. Being an Ambassador anywhere is a great honour, but it is even more so in a country with which we have historic and thriving relations like Qatar, and where we have a large and vibrant Indian community,” he said.
He also highlighted the growing diplomatic exchanges between India and Qatar, including the visit of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to Qatar in February 2024.
He praised the significant role played by the Indian community in Qatar’s development and in strengthening India-Qatar ties and also thanked various Indian community organizations for their contributions to the well-being and growth of the community, and extended his gratitude to HH Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the Government of Qatar for their continued support to the Indian community.
The celebration featured patriotic songs and cultural performances by Indian community members and school children. The event was live-streamed on social media and the Embassy’s YouTube channel.
