Indian expats celebrate Republic Day in Tehran

On the occasion of the sixty-seventh anniversary of the ‘Republic Day of India’ a flag hoisting ceremony was held at the Indian embassy in Tehran on Tuesday, Jan. 26, AVA Diplomatic reports.

During the gathering a message from the Indian President Pranab Mukherjee was read by the Indian ambassador, Saurabh Kumar.

The ceremony, which was held in the presence of the Indian diaspora, kicked-off with the national anthem performed by students from the Indian School in Tehran followed by the flag hoisting ceremony.

The following are excerpts from Indian president’s message:

Applauding India’s achievement the president pointed out that ‘with investments in infrastructure, manufacturing, health, education, science and technology, we are positioning ourselves well for achieving a higher growth rate which will in the next ten to fifteen years help us eliminate poverty.’

In another part of the speech the Indian president emphasized for the revitalization of forces of growth and need for reforms and progressive legislation. ‘The spirit of accommodation, cooperation and consensus-building should be preferred mode of decision-making. Delays in decision-making and implementation can only harm the process of development.’

In his message Mukherjee reminded that ‘peace is the primary objective of a rational consciousness as well as our moral universe. It is the foundation of civilization and a necessity for economic progress… There is a civilized way to bridge disagreement; dialogue, ideally, should be a continual engagement. But we cannot discuss peace under a shower of bullets.’

Mukherjee pointed out the historic opportunity in the subcontinent to become a beacon to the world at a time of great danger. ‘We must attempt to resolve complex edges of our emotional and geo-political inheritance with out neighbors through a peaceful dialogue, and invest in mutual prosperity by recognizing that human beings are best defined by a humane spirit, and not their worst instincts.’

The Indian president reminded that in the twenty-first century ‘would mark an era in which energies of people and nations would be committed to a rising prosperity that would eliminate for the first time, the curse of extreme poverty. That optimism has faded in the first fifteen years of this century. There is unprecedented turbulence across vast regions, with alarming increase in regional instabilities.

‘The scourge of terrorism has reshaped war into its most barbaric manifestation. No corner can now consider itself safe from this savage monster.’ He added that terrorism is inspired by insane objectives and is pure evil.

‘The advent of the ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’ demands that this free and creative man should also be able to master the velocity of change to absorb disruptions which are getting embedded in the systems and societies. An eco-system that fosters critical thinking and makes teaching intellectually stimulating is necessary… Through an open-minded approach to a wider spectrum of idea emanating from within, our academic institutions must become world-class.’