The Indian community across the Kingdom donned patriotic colors on Sunday as they celebrated the 65th Republic Day with traditional zeal and patriotic fervor, unfurling the national flag and organizing cultural events to mark the auspicious occasion.

The day in Riyadh started with flag hoisting ceremony at the Indian Embassy premises. Ambassador Hamid Ali Rao hoisted the national flag, followed by singing of the national anthem and patriotic songs by students of the International Indian School here. Melodious patriotic songs presented by IISR students touched sentimental chords of those present and filled the air with patriotic fervor and gaiety and pride for the country.

The ambassador then read out Indian President Pranab Mukherjee’s message both in Hindi and English, delivered by him on the eve of the 65th Republic Day.

Greeting people gathered for the occasion, Rao thanked them for turning out in large numbers despite Sunday being a working day here. More than 250 members of the Indian community attended the flag hoisting ceremony. The vibrant ambience of the embassy within the diplomatic quarters was enjoyed by eminent personalities, administrators, teachers, students, media and staff members.

The national tri-color also fluttered proudly in Jeddah, Dammam and other cities in the Kingdom as Indians and friends of India thronged to witness the unfurling of the national flag to mark the Republic Day.

In Jeddah, the program started with Indian Consul General Faiz Ahmed Kidwai unfurling the national flag, followed by the singing of the national anthem by a group of school students. Later, pigeons were released symbolizing the message of peace, freedom and prosperity. The March Past by scouts and guides was impressive with the contingent displaying perfect timing with the pulsating tunes and the beating of drums. After the March Past, the Indian consul general read out the President’s message which was followed by a chorus by students – “Mera Mulk Mera Desh Mera Yeh Watan” — that enthralled the audience.

The show progressed with a scintillating drill display by a contingent of girl tiny-tots who performed with perfect coordination to the beats of the drums. They eventually formed the tri-color, exhibiting its splendor, depicting the symbol of harmony and peace. The electrifying performance conveyed the message of love and unity for the motherland.

The program ended with the heart-rending patriotic number “Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon, Zara Aankh Mein Bharlo Paani.”

Kausar Kidwai, school observer and the Head of Chancery Raghib Quraishi, Deputy Consul General Mohammed Noor Rehman Sheikh, Member Higher Board Hasan Ghayas, Chairman of the school management committee Dr. Haroon Rasheed, members of the management committee, Principal Syed Masood Ahmed and other school officials and scores of Indian diplomats participated in the event.

The ceremony was attended by a cross-section of the local Indian community, including Indian students in all cities.

India shares cordial relations with Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom hosts 2.8 million-plus strong Indian community, the largest expatriate community in the Kingdom as well as the largest concentration of Indian passport holders anywhere in the world.

“India’s ties with the Kingdom pre-dates our independence. The peoples of Indian sub-continent and Arabian Peninsula have been interacting with each other through trade and commerce dating back to several millennia,” Ambassaor Rao said in his speech.