Opening Remarks of Ambassador for 74th Independence Day Celebration at the Embassy on 15 August 2020

Distinguished Members of Indian community in Oman

On behalf of the Government of India and the Indian Embassy in Oman, I extend warm greetings and best wishes to you and your family members on the auspicious occasion of 74th Independence Day of India.

ओमान में रह रहे भारतीय समुदाय के सदस्यों को ७४वे स्वत्रंत्रा दिवस के शुभ अवसर पर बधाई एवं हार्दिक शुभकामनायें।

Friends,

Every year, in Oman, we celebrate our National Days with great enthusiasm and fervour. Usually, we all gather in the Embassy to celebrate such special occasions. However, due to COVID situation, we are compelled to mark this year’s celebration in a different manner on a digital platform. However, COVID has not dampened our spirit or diminished our enthusiasm. No crisis, no matter how big it is, can prevent us from remaining connected with each other. I am sure, each one of you feels the same.

Independence Day is the occasion when we celebrate our freedom and sovereignty. We remember the sacrifices and efforts of our great leaders who gained us freedom and ensured that India emerged as a plural, democratic and modern nation. We also reaffirm our resolution to work together for realizing the dreams and aspirations of our 1.35 billion population.

COVID-19 situation has impacted every nation on the planet. The Sultanate of Oman and the Indian community in Oman have also been impacted. In the last 5-6 months, the Embassy, with the support of the Government of Oman and Indian community, has undertaken a series of measures to help the Indians in need during this extra-ordinarily challenging situation. I would like to thank the Government of Oman and His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik for their support and cooperation to our efforts.

I would also like to thank each and every member of the Indian community in Oman for their contribution. The way the community has come together and joined hands in helping each other and supporting each other is truly remarkable and inspiring. The Indian Social Club and its Linguistic Wings, other community organizations as well as individual members of the community have pro-actively worked tirelessly to support the community for distribution of food kits, organizing medical assistance, arranging repatriation or extending other assistance. I can tell you with great satisfaction that whenever the Embassy has approached any member of the community seeking support, the response has always been enthusiastically positive.

It is also important to note that challenges were enormous. The Embassy alone, with the support of Indian Social Club and other social workers, has distributed food-kits to close to 15,000 persons. And, there are other similar efforts by individual as well as community organisations. We have organised repatriation of over 60,000 Indian nationals.

In India too, the Government has taken a series of measures to address the COVID-19 situation. Under leadership of Prime Minister Modi, the Government has sought to turn the COVID-19 crisis into an opportunity through Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan or Self-reliant India Movement which seeks to make India a more resilient nation. We have been disseminating details of this initiative through media and other channel. I would like to take this opportunity to invite all of you to be a part of this Movement and contribute to the efforts for the realization of vision of a self-reliant India. Your skills, your resources, your linkages and your experiences are of immense value to the country.

Let me also reiterate that a self-reliant India does not mean India is going to isolate itself from the rest of the world. Rather our global linkages will get strengthened. India has always believed in the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and has been extending support to the developmental efforts of its friends and partners. India has extended Lines of Credit worth over USD 30 billion and Grant Assistance of around USD 4 billion to support development projects in more than 60 countries. Even in the wake of COVID-19, India has provided medical assistance and other supports to more than 130 countries, including Oman.

India attaches high importance to its strategic partnership with Oman. There is a strong desire both at people-to-people level as well as at leadership level to further strengthen and expand this partnership. This desire was reaffirmed in the telephonic conversation that Prime Minister Modi had with His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik. It will be our endevour to continue working closely with the Government and the people of Oman to make our relationships stronger in the coming years. The Indian diaspora in Oman has acted as a bridge of friendship and you would have an important role to play towards achieving this objective.

Let me now read excerpts from the address of the President to the nation.

I once again extended warm greetings and best wishes to all of you.

Thank You!

***