The 70th Independence Day of India was celebrated with great fervor in Indian missions and schools around the Kingdom. The occasion was marked with solemnity and grandeur. At the Embassy of India, Riyadh, Ambassador Ahmad Javed hoisted the Indian national flag, followed by rendition of national anthem. The ambassador read out the President's message to the gathering of over 800 members of Indian community, friends of India and mission officials. Two short documentaries on the ‘Spirit of Freedom' and the ‘Spirit of India' were also screened to the audience. At Consulate General of India in Jeddah, Consul General Md. Noor Rahman Sheikh hoisted the national flag at the ceremony in Jeddah, followed by rendition of the national anthem and patriotic songs by the students of the International Indian School, Jeddah. The consul general read out the President Pranab Mukherjee's message to a gathering of over 200 members of Indian community, friends of India and mission officials. [caption id="attachment_77332" align="alignright" width="200"] Consul General Md. Noor Rahman Sheikh raises teh tricolor at teh Consulate General premises in Jeddah.[/caption]The students of International Indian School, Jeddah sang melodious patriotic songs such as ‘Saray Jahan Se Achcha', ‘Mera Desh Mera Mulk', under the guided supervision of the school headmistress and teachers. Indian nationals, persons of Indian origin, members of the Saudi community and friends of India attended the ceremony. The Consul General of India, Jeddah extended his warm greetings to all the people present. Reading out the president's message, he recalled Mahatma Gandhi's luminous leadership and the sacrifices of the heroes of our independence struggle. He appreciated the growth of the four pillars of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity that has withstood several threats. He expressed the satisfaction of a stable and progressive democracy in full play with peaceful transfer of power. He stressed that the safety and security that we provide to our women and children determines the well-being of the state and society. He quoted from the message that, "India will grow, only when all of India grows" and our schools and institutions of higher learning uphold a special responsibility. The ceremony came to an end with the wife of the consul general cutting the cake along with the ladies of the consulate and the children present.
