Report and pics Melvyn Rodrigues
for Daijiworld Media Network – Dubai

Dubai, Aug 15:  The Indian Community of Dubai celebrated the 60th Indian Independence Day with great pride and reverence here in Dubai at the Indian High School under the auspices of Consulate General of India.  Various cultural programmes were held to mark the celebrations at the Rashid Auditorium of the Indian High School which preceded with the flag hoisting ceremony.

The Consul General of India His Excellency Venu Rajamony read out excerpts from the speech made by the first lady President of India Pratibha Patil on the eve of the Independence Day.   The retired Army Chief of India and ex-member of Parliament, General Shankar Roychowdhury was the chief guest.

There was a multi-media presentation which took the audience through the annals of Indian history.  When Dr Abdul Kalam’s clip appeared the whole gathering clapped in admiration of this great hero of India. 

Unlike the past years this year the programme was held at a different venue instead of the Consulate Auditorium.  Each individual going inside the venue had to undergo strict security checks.    

Thousands of Indians participated in the whole celebrations.  The Indian High School students and the Welfare Arm of the Consulate General of India presented various performances as part of the cultural programme.