Reuters
 
Kuala Lumpur, Aug 15: Indians abroad on Tuesday celebrated Independence Day by attending flag hoisting ceremonies at their diplomatic missions and participating in cultural programmes organised to mark the occasion.

After unfurling the national tricolour, the heads of the missions read out President A P J Abdul Kalam's address to nation.

In Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur, visiting Overseas Indians Minister Vayalar Ravi attended the flag hoisting ceremony at the residence of Indian High Commissioner R L Narayan. The women's wing of the Bharat Club, an association of expatriate Indian women, sang the national anthem and other patriotic songs.

In Beijing though a working day, Indians gathered at the Indian Embassy where Ambassador to China, Nalin Surie unfurled the tricolour and read out President's address to the nation.

The celebrations in the Chinese capital were attended by a large group of Indian businessmen, visiting to see the Communist giant's progress.

The Independence Day was also celebrated at the Consulate General of India, Shanghai, China's largest city and commercial hub. For the first time ever sizeable groups of Indian nationals, including medical students, from nearby cities also participated with marked enthusiasm.

In Hong Kong, a Special Administrative Region of China, the Consulate General of India organised the function attended by a sizable number of Indian community, including senior executives of Indian banks and other companies.