77th Independence Day of India was celebrated with great fervour in different parts of Sri Lanka on 15 August 2023. The main event in Colombo was held at ‘India House’, the official residence of High Commissioner of India. High Commissioner Gopal Baglay hoisted India’s National Flag and inspected the Guard of Honour. He also read excerpts of the address by Hon’ble President of India to the nation on the eve of the 77th Independence Day.
Members of Indian community participated in the event in several hundreds. On the special occasion, High Commissioner administered the Panch Pran pledge, wherein all those present resolved to commit themselves to nation building and resolved to make India a developed nation by 2047. Several cultural events added flavour to the celebrations. Sri Lanka Navy Band played melodious tunes, symbolic of valour and patriotism.
Students of Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, the cultural arm of the High Commission, showcased two dance performances – a Bharatnatyam performance on the timeless bhajan ‘Vaishnava Janato’, and a fusion of Indian and Sri Lankan dance forms on a rendition of ‘Vande Matram’. High Commissioner and officers of High Commission of India also paid homage at the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) Memorial to the memory of the Indian soldiers of IPKF who made the supreme sacrifice defending peace and unity of Sri Lanka.
Special events were organized by the Assistant High Commission in Kandy, Consulate General in Jaffna and Consulate General in Hambantota as well on the momentous occasion.
This year’s Independence Day celebration is a culmination of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ initiative, a global campaign to commemorate 75 years of a progressive and self-reliant India. Since 2022, India has embarked on a journey of 25 years of India’s transformative growth – ‘Amrit Kaal’ – to make India a developed nation by 2047. Members of the Indian community enthusiastically celebrated this Independence Day by participating in the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign, as well as by recounting the stories of growing up in India and paying tributes to the motherland under the ‘Meri Maati Mera Desh’ campaign.
Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay’s Message:
Ayubowan, Vanakkam, Namaskar!
“ Warm greetings to all Indians in Sri Lanka and to my Sri Lankan brothers and sisters on the occasion of India’s 77th Independence Day.
As Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav culminates this year, India stands poised to bring in the Amrit Kaal – the next 25 years of a transformative growth story with a technology-driven and knowledge-based economy that will deliver prosperity for all.
Our policies of Neighbourhood First and SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region) re ect India’s commitment to prosperity for all – as we continue to stand with the people of Sri Lanka through their hour of need.
Now as Sri Lanka is poised to turn the corner, India-Sri Lanka friendship also heads towards new milestones. We complete 75 years of diplomatic relations this year, and are planning ahead for the next 25 years for forging a closer economic partnership.
Vision Statement ‘Promoting Connectivity, Catalysing Prosperity’ of our leaders is a long-term roadmap centred on enhancing connectivity in all its dimensions.
Various announcements and outcomes during the visit of President H.E Ranil Wickremesinghe to India in July 2023-related to energy, dairying, increased air and maritime connectivity, UPI linkage, and several others which bring the people of the two countries closer have lent signi cant momentum to this vision.
Friends, the future will be technology-centric. As Sri Lanka embarks on its journey of DigiEcon 2030, we are working closely to share India’s experiences of inclusive growth steered by our Digital Public Infrastructure.
This year is also special as it marks 200 years of the arrival of Indian Origin Tamils in Sri Lanka. Government of India has announced a SLR 3 billion comprehensive grant package for overall welfare of the community. A similar package has been extended to the people of Eastern Province as well.
Building further on the foundations of civilisational connect, shared heritage and abiding bonds between our peoples, we enter the next phase of India-Sri Lanka ties with a joint vision for prosperity and progress of the people. I am con dent that in the coming Amrit Kaal, India-Sri Lanka partnership is all set to grow in depth and breadth in equal measure!”
