The 67th Republic Day of India was celebrated with fervor in Indian missions and schools around the Kingdom. [caption id="attachment_30579" align="alignleft" width="199"] Charge d'Affaires Hemant Kotalwar hoisting the Indian tricolor in Riyadh.[/caption] In Riyadh, Charge d'Affaires Hemant Kotalwar hoisted the tricolor followed by rendition of national anthem and patriotic songs by students of the International Indian Public School in Riyadh. Students also presented several colorful dance performances on the patriotic songs. Kotalwar also read out President Dr. Pranab Mukherjee's message to the gathering of over 500 members of Indian community and officials of the mission. [caption id="attachment_30580" align="alignright" width="200"] Consul General B.S. Mubarak unfurls the tricolor at the consulate premises in Jeddah.[/caption] In Jeddah, a colorful ceremony was held at the premises of the consulate. Consul General B.S. Mubarak hoisted the national flag and read out the president's message to the nation. A large number of Indian nationals attended the function. Children from the International Indian School, Jeddah sang patriotic songs and enchanted the audience. There was a true spirit of patriotism and brotherhood. Reading out the Dr. Mukherjee's address to the nation, Mubarak recollected the culmination of heroic struggle of an extraordinary generation of leaders who overcame colonialism to establish the world's largest democracy. The nightingales of IISJ added to the occasion with a wonderful array of patriotic songs. The Indian school chorus began with ‘Saray jahan se achcha', followed by ‘Hum us desh ke was hain', and a string of different patriotic numbers in various state languages such as Marathi, Malayalam, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu and Hindi. [caption id="attachment_30578" align="alignleft" width="200"] Dr. Abdussalam Kanniyan, chairman of the IISD managing committee, unfurling the flag.[/caption] In Dammam, the day was celebrated in all its solemnity and grandeur at International Indian School. The ceremonial event was witnessed by an august gathering, which included dignitaries from the Indian community, parents, staff and students. Vice Chairman of the Confederation on Indian Industries K.K.M. Kutty was the special guest. Dr. Abdussalam Kanniyan, chairman of the school's managing committee unfurled the flag. Dr. Kanniyan and school's Principal Dr. E.K. Mohammed Shaffe took the salute from the spectacular and well synchronized march past staged by the school's scout contingent. — With input from Munawarunnisa Nazneen
