Abu Dhabi school marks Indian Republic Day

India’s 66th Republic Day was celebrated at a school in the capital on Monday with a procession and cultural show.

Pupils at Abu Dhabi Indian School raise their flags in honour of Republic Day. Delores Johnson / The National

ABU DHABI // As dignitaries in New Delhi marked India’s 66th Republic Day on Monday, a local school provided its own take on the celebrations with an impressive procession and cultural show.

About 1,000 pupils and their families were in attendance for the two-hour event at the Abu Dhabi Indian School.

School chairman Dr B R Shetty, who is also the NMC Healthcare chief executive and UAE Exchange co-founder, was the guest of honour.

He was welcomed with a ceremonial guard of honour and a parade of about 500 pupils.

“It was a replica parade of what the Indian armed forces showcased on Republic Day to the nation and international guests,” said school principal N C Vijayachandra.

He expressed his confidence that India would soon emerge as a world superpower.

“The scientific development, especially the successful launch of first Indian-made satellite Mangalyan, has made every Indian proud,” he said.

Addressing the school, Dr Shetty said he was proud that after Mahatma Gandhi, India had another great leader in prime minister Narendra Modi.

“India is progressing significantly under his leadership, be it scientific development, the cleanliness campaign, Smart India campaign, Talent India campaign or Make-in-India campaign,” he said.

Dr Shetty thanked the UAE leadership for providing such a peaceful and prosperous life to Indian expatriates.

“Let’s make the Indo-UAE relations stronger and stronger with each passing day.”

The event also featured dances and patriotic songs.

“The best part of the day was the march-past. For the last two months we were doing rehearsals,” said participant Bipasha Manoj.

The Grade 7 pupil has been living in the UAE for seven years. “One day I want to go back and serve my home country. I don’t know when but surely I will.”

Music teacher Sri Devi said she was very proud of the way her pupils had performed.

“It was the right result of our weeks of hard work and endless rehearsals,” she said. “Music is one of the best ways to showcase your love of the country, and I feel so proud that my students have expressed their feelings in the most melodious way.”

Lolita Pinto, whose nine-year-old daughter Adelle attends the school, said she really enjoyed the function.“It was a proud moment because my child was among those children who sang patriotic songs,” she said, noting that it was crucial to encourage children to participate in such activities.

“It helps in grooming their personalities, especially when you are living far from home.”

At a ceremony at the Indian embassy in Abu Dhabi, ambassador T P Seetharam raised the Indian flag and read a message from the country’s president.