President Smt. Pratibha
Devisingh Patil on August
14 called for speeding up of
projects to fill the “infrastructural
deficit” that impedes India’s
economic growth and was not in sync
with its image of an emerging global
player. Addressing the nation on the eve
of India’s 64th Independence Day, the
President also laid importance on expansion
of industries and encouraging and
pursuing cutting-edge technologies,
research and development.
Her address:
“On the eve of our 64th Independence
Day, I extend my warmest greetings to
all of you from all walks of life, living in
India and overseas. I convey special
greetings to the brave personnel of our
Armed Forces and the paramilitary
forces who guard our frontiers and to
our central and state police, as well as our
internal security forces. I also compliment
every citizen of this country whose
hard work, productive prowess and
enterprising zeal have put India among
the front ranks of the nations of the
world. I convey my heartfelt condolences
to all those who have lost their
loved ones, suffered injuries and whose
properties have been destroyed in the
recent cloud burst in Leh.
Every year, we celebrate our
Independence Day with great fervour as
well as joy and justifiably so, as it commemorates
that day, when after |
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many years of subjugation, our country gained
its freedom. Indeed, in the annals of history,
15th of August 1947 will always be
remembered as a day of an extraordinary
accomplishment, of when India won its
freedom with unparalleled fortitude and
unique means. Under the leadership of
Mahatma Gandhi, our movement for
attaining freedom through ahimsa and
satyagraha spread throughout the country,
inspiring people in a manner rarely
seen. Millions and millions of our men
and women, willingly and enthusiastically
responded to his call. They united
to become an immense force that defeated |
the mightiest colonial power.
Free India, was thus born.
As citizens of free India, we must
reflect on the values and principles
which were in the minds and hearts of
those who fought and sacrificed for our
freedom. They drew inspiration from
the values nurtured in the country
through millennia. Pandit Jawaharlal
Nehru once described Gandhiji as,
“embodying the old spirit of India, who
held aloft the torch of freedom”.
Gandhiji’s thoughts and his life were
truly an expression of the philosophy of
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UK celebrates India’s
Independence Day
The 64th Independence Day
of India was celebrated
with enthusiasm and
fanfare at the Indian Gymkhana
Club in London on August 15.
High Commissioner of India to
the U.K. Nalin Surie hoisted
the Tricolour, which was followed
by the singing of the Indian
national anthem.
The Address to the Nation by
President Smt. Pratibha Devisingh
Patil on the eve of the 64th
Independence Day of India was also
broadcast at the function.
More than 40 Indian associations
in the U.K., representing different
regions and communities of India,
participated in the celebration.
Depicting the confidence and
ambitions of the youth of the
nation and the rich heritage of the
country, the representatives of
these associations presented a
colourful cultural programme,
which included a slew of patriotic
songs and dances.
Regional delicacies were offered
at the food stalls set up voluntarily
by these associations.
For the first time, the Indian diaspora,
represented by Councillors of
Indian origin, captains of industry,
academia, youth, students and
artistes, participated in the celebrations
in a grand scale. Around 4,000
people attended the function.
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