Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH/JEDDAH — With great joy and enthusiasm, the 72nd Independence Day of India was celebrated in the two major cities of the Kingdom on Wednesday.

At the Embassy of India, Riyadh, Ambassador Ahmad Javed hoisted the national flag, which was followed by the rendition of the national anthem and patriotic songs presented by family members of the embassy officials.

The ambassador read out the president of India’s message to a gathering of over 700 Indian community members, friends of India, officials of the mission and their families.

Addressing the audience, the ambassador also appreciated the valuable support extended by the Saudi authorities to the Indian community in Saudi Arabia.

The ambassador extended sincere thanks and gratitude to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman and the Saudi authorities for their valuable support and bestowing the 'Guest of Honor' status to India in the privileged Saudi National Festival of Heritage and Culture (Janadriyah 2018); and granting necessary permission to hold the International Day of Yoga celebrations at Al-Madi Park of King Abdulaziz Historical Center, Riyadh, on June 21, 2018.

The ambassador also presented plaques of appreciation to Saudi Yoga Trainers Nora Saad Al-Wayli and Reem Ibrahim Al-Arfaj; Abdullah Al-Abdan, manager of Al-Madi Park, and Mohammad Abdul Hameed, project director at Arriyadh Development Authority, for their valuable contribution to the successful organization of United Nations-proclaimed "International Day of Yoga" at the historical Al-Madi Park.

At the Consulate General of India in Jeddah, Consul General Md. Noor Rahman Sheikh hoisted the national flag at the ceremony, which was 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 Ram Nath Kovind’s message to a gathering of about 1,000 members of Indian community, friends of India, Saudi nationals and mission officials.

The consul general extended his warm greetings to all present. Reading out the president’s message, simultaneously in Hindi and English, he reiterated the president’s clarion call to imbibe the spirit of selflessness to build a new India.

The 72th Independence Day celebration was followed by inauguration of an exclusive Exhibition of Khadi Products at the Chancery premises as a tribute to our Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi.

A presentation on khadi products was also shown to the public today. On this occasion, a Saudi national also sung the famous Bhajan, which was immensely liked by Gandhi “Vaisnava Jana to, tene kahiye je peed paraayi jaane re”.

The consul general in his brief speech said, “Khadi products are very good and we need to embrace them. For khadi is nothing but a hand-woven product and is unique to India. We also need to promote it to others as a unique product of India and help the artisans who make these products flourish.”