Video: Indians in UAE celebrate 74th Independence Day virtually

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Indians, 74th Independence Day, Covid-19 pandemic

Dubai - Residents watched the Independence Day ceremony virtually this year on official social media pages.

By Nandini Sircar

Published: Sat 15 Aug 2020, 8:38 AM

Last updated: Sat 15 Aug 2020, 6:07 PM

Today (August 15), eager Indian expatriates celebrated their country's Independence Day by witnessing the flag hoisting ceremony virtually, which took place at the Consulate of India in Dubai. The flag was hoisted at 7.30am by Indian Consul General of India to Dubai, Dr Aman Puri and was followed by the singing of the Indian National anthem.
This year due to Covid-19 restrictions, members of the Consulate and its staff dressed in traditional attire gathered at the venue to mark this occasion physically. The general public tuned in to the CGI's social media pages like Facebook and Twitter account to watch the ceremony online.

Maintaining Tradition
Keeping the spirit alive, people cheered when the tricolor was hoisted.
Many cultural performances took place to entertain those attending. Famous Dubai based singer Suraj Bharati sang a patriotic song while a dance group performed classical dances at the venue.

Cultural performances from Guru Nitrsh Saraswati from Nritynjali and Mr Suraj Bharti @MEAIndia @IndembAbuDhabi #AtmaNirbharBharat #IndiaIndependenceDay @DDNewslive #IndependenceDayIndia pic.twitter.com/eYy562JJra
- India in Dubai (@cgidubai) August 15, 2020

Take away message
Consul General Dr Aman Puri addressed the gathering and said, "I would especially like to wish members of the Indian community, our Emirati friends, friends from India living in Dubai and the Northern Emirates."
He added that the UAE and India's partnership has been especially strong in these uncertain times as the UAE has stepped forward to help the Indian community by extending all possible assistance.

Vijayi vishwa Tiranga Pyara, Jhanda Ooncha Rahe Hamara @MEAIndia @IndembAbuDhabi #AtmaNirbharBharat #IndependenceDayIndia pic.twitter.com/WiTDiBRDzL
- India in Dubai (@cgidubai) August 15, 2020

Flag hosting done and Dr Aman Puri reading out President Message on the eve of #IndiaIndependenceDay #AtmaNirbharBharat @MEAIndia @IndembAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/cHRvGNPico
- India in Dubai (@cgidubai) August 15, 2020

"India and the UAE are strong partners which has also been seen in these times of unprecedented crisis. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my gratitude to the UAE leadership and all the UAE authorities to support Government of India's efforts in the repatriation of stranded nationals."
nandini@khaleejtimes.com