RIYADH/JEDDAH/DAMMAM: Members of the Indian community in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam celebrated their country’s 67th Republic Day with fervor.

In Riyadh, Charge d’Affaires Hemant Kotalwar hoisted the national flag. The unfurling was followed by rendition of the national anthem and patriotic songs by the students of International Indian Public School (IIPS) and International Indian School-Riyadh (IISR).

Kotalwar read out Indian President Pranab Mukherjee’s message to the gathering of over 500 members of the Indian community and officials from the Indian Embassy.

In Jeddah, Consul General B.S. Mubarak hoisted the national flag at the consulate premises in Tahliya Street. He read out the Indian president’s message to the nation.

A colorful ceremony was held in which a large number of Indian nationals took part. Children from the International School-Jeddah (IISJ) sang patriotic songs and enchanted the audience.

The Indian national flag was also hoisted at the IISJ’s Boys Section by Mubarak. Haj Consul and school observer Mohammed Shahid Alam, members of the school’s managing committee and a host of other dignitaries attended the program.

The national anthem sung by the students of VI to VIII Boys Section and Girls Sections filled the air with patriotic fervor. The release of the pigeons as a symbol of freedom and peace added passion to the event.

Excerpts of the president’s message were read out by the consul general. The consul general also paid condolences to the bereaved family of Fawaz Ismail, a Class XII IISJ student who died in an accident two days ago.

In Dammam, International Indian School (IISD) Chairman Abdussalam Kanniyan unfurled the national flag in the presence of Principal E.K. Mohammed Shaffe, Confederation on Indian Industries (CII) Vice Chairman K.K.M. Kutty and a large number of Indians.

Shaffe and Kanniyan took the salute from the spectacular and well-synchronized march-past by the school’s scout contingent.

Meritorious students from academics and co-curricular activities were felicitated at the event by the chairman and members of the managing committee.

Shaffe read out the message from the president of India.