Home > Magazine > Around Town > Republic Day at the Consulate with the President’s speech

 

Republic Day at the Consulate with the President’s speech

By Mahadev Desai
March 2019
Republic Day at the Consulate with the President’s speech

 

(Left) Face paint celebrations. (Photo: Digital Touch Intl.)

India’s 70th Republic Day was celebrated with national pride at the Consulate General of India – Atlanta, on Saturday morning, January 26, 2019, followed by a grand reception in the evening at the Studio Theatre, New City Hall, Sandy Springs, in metro Atlanta.

Despite biting cold, the morning celebration was well attended by over 250 members of the Indian community, as well as the Consulate's smartly attired officers and their families, including Consul General Dr. Swati Kulkarni, Mr. Shailesh Lakhtakia (Consul, Head of Chancery, Community Affairs), Mr. L. T. Ngaihte (Consul, Political and Consular), Mr. Asim Kumar (Consul, Admin), Mr. P. Jeya Pazham (Vice Consul), Mr. Bikash Kumar (Pr. Sec. to CG), Mr. Pradeep Kumar (ASO), Ms. R. Sethulakshmi (ACO), Mr. Deepak Kumar (PA to CG and Visa), and others.

Rep Day_Consulate_petals-11_DT_300 422.jpg

 

(Left) Many children were there to see the Tiranga being unfurled at the brief ceremony, after which the gathering sang the Indian national anthem, clapped, and joyfully shouted “Bharat mata ki Jai” as flower petals floated gently down on the Consulate lawn. (Photo: Digital Touch Intl.)

All moved inside, where the Consul General warmly welcomed all.

03_19_AT-Slide2.jpg

 

(Right) The audience listening to the President’s speech. (Photo: Magic Dust Photography)

She proceeded to read from the President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind’s rousing and inspiring address to the nation given on the eve of India’s 70th Republic Day. All listened intently and could follow along in a handout of the speech.

“Every Republic Day is precious, but this year is a little extra special. On October 2, we will mark the 150th birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, who led us—and who inspired oppressed societies in Asia, Africa, and elsewhere—to freedom from colonial rule. Gandhiji remains the moral compass of our Republic….”

The President urged voters to cast their vote in the upcoming general and Lok Sabha elections. He noted the continuing progress by India in economy, infrastructure, universal and equitable healthcare, housing, gender equity, in education, and connectivity through mobile phones and data access. Leapfrogging technologies and leapfrogging enlightenment are empowering our farmers and equipping our soldiers.

Rep Day_Consulate_reading-25_DT_300.jpg

Rep Day_Consulate_smile-27_DT_300.jpg

Consul General Dr. Swati Kulkarni reading President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind's address to the nation. CG Kulkarni. (Photos: Digital Touch Intl.)

She continued reading, “The human experience is built on partnerships. Partnerships are the thread knitting together family, nation, and world—and leading to the treatment of the World as a family: Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.” And she concluded, “India’s global approach—whether in peace-keeping, climate change mitigation, development of partnerships, or humanitarian assistance and disaster relief are earning India a new respect in the international system.”

Rep Day_Consulate_winter women-15_DT_340 276.jpg

 

 

 

Dr. Kulkarni and Mr. Lakhtakia wished all a very Happy Republic Day. The cheery wives of the Consulate officers, Consulate’s ladies staff, and also from the community, dressed in colorful saris, salwar kameez, kurtis, etc., conversed, took pictures, posed for selfies, and all relished the delicious refreshments accompanied with evergreen and memorable patriotic songs “Aye mere watan ke logon” and more.

03_19_AT-Rep-Day_Consulate.jpg

Consulate officers, staff, and families. (Photos: Digital Touch Intl.)


Website Bonus Feature

Link:
the President’s speech, Republic Day 2019
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/full-text-of-president-ram-nath-kovinds-address-on-republic-day-eve-1983409


 

 Remember, we have new Website Bonus Features that are not in the print magazine. Every time you see the W symbol in the print magazine, you can go to our website to see additional print or audiovisual material!

Submitting your report for consideration in Around Town

Please send post event reports for consideration in the Around Town section to AroundTown@khabar.com. Publication of reports is based on several criteria including the volume of reports submitted for a given issue. Guidelines for the reports are on our website at http://www.khabar.com/magazine/around-town/guidelines_for_submitting_reports_to_around_town. Deadline: 15th of each month—for consideration in the following month. However, chances of inclusion are better if reports are received well in advance of the deadline – where possible, e.g. within 3-7 days of the event

Submitting your news item for consideration in Newsmakers

Please send news items for consideration in the Newsmakers section to CommunityNewsmakers@khabar.com. Publication of news is based on several criteria including the volume of reports submitted for a given issue. We are focusing on local community members with some achievement or award that will be interesting and/or inspiring to our readers.


Enjoyed reading Khabar magazine? Subscribe to Khabar and get a full digital copy of this Indian-American community magazine.


  • Add to Twitter
  • Add to Facebook
  • Add to Technorati
  • Add to Slashdot
  • Add to Stumbleupon
  • Add to Furl
  • Add to Blinklist
  • Add to Delicious
  • Add to Newsvine
  • Add to Reddit
  • Add to Digg
  • Add to Fark

Back to articles

 

DIGITAL ISSUE 

03_24-Cover-NMACC-W.jpg

 

eKhabar

Sign up for our weekly newsletter
eKhabar

        

Potomac_wavesmedia Banner ad.png 

TrophyPoint-Webads-200x200-4.jpg

  NRSPAY_Khabar-Website_2x2_Ad.gif

Krishnan Co WebBanner.jpg

Raj&Patel-CPA-Web-Banner.jpg

Embassy Bank_gif.gif 

MedRates-Banner-11-23.jpg

DineshMehta-CPA-Banner-0813.jpg