RIYADH/JEDDAH — The 73rd Independence Day of India was celebrated with enthusiasm and joy in Indian diplomatic missions in the Kingdom on Thursday, with the ambassador in Riyadh and the consul general in Jeddah leading the celebrations. Ambassador Dr. Ausaf Sayeed hoisted the national flag followed by rendition of national anthem by the family members of the Embassy officials. The Ambassador then read out the President's Message to the audience. Over 800 Saudis, members of Indian community, friends of India and officials of the mission attended the event. In his address, the Ambassador extended sincere thanks and gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman and the Saudi authorities for their valuable support in hosting the 2.7 million Indian nationals in the Kingdom and increasing the Indian Haj quota to 200,000 this year. Affirming the strong political will and commitment at the highest level, the Ambassador underscored that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Crown Prince Muhammad have met four times in the last 2 years, including the state visit of Crown Prince to India in Feb, 2019, which further consolidated the domains of existing partnership, which now span through diverse fields such as security and defense cooperation, energy security, food security, healthcare, infrastructure, entertainment, tourism and culture, besides trade, investments and economic cooperation. The Ambassador also pointed out the Article 370 abrogation is intended to improve good governance and deliver socioeconomic justice to disadvantaged sections of the populace who were unable to obtain the benefits resulting from Article 370. On the occasion, there were also cultural performances from the Indian Diaspora. At the Consulate General, Consul General Md. Noor Rahman Sheikh unfurled the national flag, which was followed by the singing of national anthem. The Consul General read out the president's message to the nation, which was followed by singing of few patriotic songs by members of Indian community. The event was attended by about 1,000 participants including, members of the Indian community, members of Haj Committee of India — who came to perform Haj, officials on deputation for Haj, friends of India and officials and families of the Consulate. The Consul General expressed his gratitude and sincere thanks to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, Haj Minister Saleh Benten, other Saudi authorities and agencies for their cooperation, support and help for Indian Hajis and holding a comfortable, smooth, hassle-free and successful Haj-2019. The Consul General also expressed his gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for increasing Indian Haj quota to 200,000 this year. He also pointed out that remarkable improvements have been made in the arrangements for the Indian pilgrims this year including hiring of better buildings, use of new and good quality buses of 2018 and above models for transportation of Hajis between Azizia and Haram and between Makkah and Madinah, 2 brand new 100% cotton bedsheets to every HCOI Haji in Makkah/Azizia, good quality tricolor umbrella for all HCOI Hajis etc. The Consul General also informed that the mission accords high priority to ensure welfare of about 1 million-strong Indian community residing in the Western region of the Kingdom. For redressals of grievances of the Indian community, a Pravasi Bharatiya Seva Kendra (PBSK) is functioning 24*7 in the Consulate. Indian nationals can approach the Kendra for registration and redressal of their grievances. He added that any Indian citizen residing in the western part of the Kingdom can meet him directly on every Sunday and Thursday without any prior appointment besides, Indian citizens can also meet concerned section heads on all working days without prior appointment. He said, it has been an endeavor of the Consulate to issue/renew passports within 3 working days. Besides, consular team of CGI, Jeddah also provides consular services to Indian citizens who are residing in far-flung areas of its jurisdiction. He also pointed out that the passport services of the Consulate have now been made part of the Global Passport Seva Project of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs through which passport details of the applicants are available online in that system once a passport is issued.
