Impressive ceremonies marked the day, with India's Ambassador Hamid Ali Rao unfurling the national flag at the embassy in Riyadh and Consul General Faiz Ahmad Kidwai doing the same in Jeddah. Both of them conveyed their greetings to the community and congratulated them on their positive role as ambassadors in this part of the world.

Kidwai also presided over the celebration at Indian International School-Jeddah. Patriotic songs by schoolchildren highlighted the flag-raising ceremonies. The consul general read out Indian President Pratibha Patil's Republic Day message. The message called for building a strong, prosperous nation, based on a firm system of values. The message — a reminder of the values of democracy, nonviolence, rule of law and unity in diversity that India stands for — also touched upon the major issues facing the country today.

Reviewing the strong bonds between Saudi Arabia and India, Rao said the historical ties that bind India and the Arabian Peninsula in the fields of commerce, trade and culture transcends conventional boundaries of human engagement.

He thanked Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for the continuous support extended to the large Indian community across the Kingdom and also for facilitating Indians to perform Haj and Umrah.

He added that bilateral trade had made a quantum jump, especially after the visit of King Abdullah to India in January 2006. This provided a new impetus to bilateral relations.

Rao announced the staging of a monthly open-house session, described as the first of its kind launched by a foreign mission in the capital, aimed at addressing the grievances of the community. The first session will be held at the embassy on Feb. 2, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The new interactive exercise will allow members of the community to discuss their problems related to consular services and labor matters. A permanent center will be set up in Dammam to offer visa and consular services, he said, adding: "I have only one mission — how to bolster Indo-Saudi relations to a new pitch and look after the interests of over 2 million Indian expatriates residing in the Kingdom."

India, he said, can cooperate with the Kingdom in its industrial sector also. There is an emerging trend in the Kingdom and other Gulf countries to promote small-scale industries as part of their effort to make their economies self-reliant at least in the manufacture of spare parts needed by the mainstream petrochemical and construction industries in this region. "This is where India could facilitate transfer of technology to the Kingdom through a joint venture agreement," said the envoy.

In the Eastern Province, the event was held at the International Indian School in Dammam. Hundreds of Indians, men and women accompanied by their colorfully attired children attended the well-orchestrated parade and cultural programs at IISD Boys Section in Al-Raka district.

IISD Managing Committee Chairman John Thomas was the chief guest. He unfurled the Indian flag and addressed the community. "We felt as if we were watching the Republic Day parade in New Delhi," he told Arab News. "It was a scintillating performance by the school's students."

School Principal E.K. Mohammed Shaffe read out President Patil's message. "India seeks to build bridges of cooperation and friendship with all countries of the world," he said, quoting from the president's message. Girls Section Principal Lt. Col. J.A. Rocque gave the welcome address.

More than 900 students took part in the displays and drills depicting the heritage and culture of India.

Prominent among those who attended the celebrations were IISD Managing Committee members Mohammad Fayazuddin, S. Balamurali, Aboobacker Kunnath Parambil and Radha Krishna Ravi and Registrar Gangesh Tewari. Well-known Indian community members Shoaib A. Quraishi, Abdullah Manjeri, Mumtaz Ali, Iqbal Bilal Ahmad, Syed Abdallah Rizvi, M.A. Hasnain and T.P. Fazal were also present.

The ceremony in the capital was preceded Wednesday night by a colorful reception hosted by the embassy, which was attended by Prince Abdulaziz Al-Ayyaf Al-Miqrin, Riyadh mayor, and Alauddin Al-Askary, deputy foreign minister for protocol affairs, besides a large number of foreign diplomats.

The ceremony in Jeddah followed a reception hosted by the consul general, which was attended by officials, diplomats and members of the community.

A five-member Shehnai group led by Pandit Daya Shankar and an eight-member Qawwali group headed by Jamil Ahmad will present programs in Riyadh on Jan. 28 and 29. Both groups are already in Jeddah and presenting programs.