The Indian diaspora in China, Bangladesh and Singapore celebrated Republic Day on Tuesday in a restricted manner, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In Beijing, the event was restricted to officials and their families due to the COVID-19 situation in the Chinese capital and surrounding areas, PTI.
Ambassador Vikram Misri unfurled the national flag, read out President Ram Nath Kovind’s address to the nation and released a special instrumental rendition of ‘Vande Mataram’ produced by Chaiti Arts Foundation.
Similarly, in Singapore the High Commissioner of India, P Kumaran, led the Republic Day celebration at the mission by unfurling the national flag and reading President Kovind’s message to the people through live streaming on Facebook.
The ceremony was restricted to members of the High Commission for in person-presence due to COVID-19 safety measures.
At the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh, members of the Indian community celebrated the occasion, while practising social distancing. High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami unfurled the tricolour and read out the President’s message.
At the Indian High Commission in Pakistan, charge d’Affaires Suresh Kumar unfurled the national flag and read Kovind’s message. A cultural program of patriotic songs and poems was also organised.
The Republic Day celebration at Indian embassy in Afghanistan saw the participation of the Afghan National Army band. Ambassador Rudrendra Tandon unfurled the tricolour and read excerpts from the President’s message.
India celebrated its 72nd Republic Day on Tuesday. United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson was invited as the chief guest. However, he postponed his visit due to the outbreak of mutated coronavirus strain in his country.
