Embassy of India

Vientiane, Laos

Embassy of India
Vientiane
Press Release

Celebration of the 75th Independence Day of India
(Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav)

The 75th Independence Day of India was celebrated on the morning of 15th August, 2021 at the Embassy premises. The event commenced with the hoisting of the National Flag by H.E. Mr. Dinkar Asthana, Ambassador, followed by the Indian National Anthem. Thereafter, the Address of the President of India to the nation on the eve of the Independence Day was read out by the Ambassador. This year due to Covid-19 restrictions, the event was limited to Embassy officials. However, it was livestreamed on social media, enabling Indian community and friends of India to join the celebrations virtually.

In the evening of 15 August, an event was also organised at the Embassy premises to celebrate the start of 75th year of India’s Independence. His Excellency Mr. Bountiem Phissamy, President, Lao-India Friendship Association graced the celebrations. The event was also livestreamed on the Mission’s Facebook and Youtube platforms.

The Ambassador in his remarks emphasized the importance of Independence Day and spoke about the strong historical and cultural linkages of Lao PDR and India. He spoke about Atmanirbhar Bharat, or self-reliant India, which seeks to make India a bigger and more important part of the global economy, pursuing policies that are efficient, competitive and resilient.

He mentioned, among other things, that India had enhanced its production capacities especially of essential drugs and other materials to support the healthcare system around the world, reinforcing its credibility as a reliable, trustworthy and emphatic partner working for the common good.

India has developed its Information Technology sector with the aim to promote e-governance for empowering citizens, promoting the inclusive and sustainable growth of the electronics; IT and ITeS (IT-enabled services) industries, promoting digital transactions and digital payments, enhancing India’s role in internet governance, adopting a multi-pronged approach that includes development of human resources, promoting R&D and innovation, enhancing efficiency through digital services and ensuring a secure cyber space. He mentioned about CoWin app which provides the digital platform for the rollout of vaccination programme in India.

The Ambassador said that independent India’s achievements in many fields such as science and technology, space, agriculture, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, information and communication technology, biotechnology, financial inclusion, e-governance, etc. have been lauded and appreciated around the world. New initiatives to promote eco-friendly, renewable sources of energy, particularly solar power, have won praise around the world.

He added that, besides, numerous reforms, schemes and programmes in different sectors touching all aspects of citizens’ lives have been launched during the past few years to improve the quality of life of the people. A new National Education Policy will transform India into a vibrant knowledge society and global knowledge power by making both school and college education more holistic and flexible. India’s Mid-day Meal scheme, covering primary and secondary school children in government & government-aided schools, is the largest school-feeding programme in the world. The flagship Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (Save and educate your daughter) programme was launched in 2015.

A landmark step towards good governance is the 'Aadhar card' assigning a unique identity number to Indian citizens. It serves as an identity check and ensures that various benefits and subsidies of the government reach the targeted beneficiaries directly. A robust social security system has been put in place. Many of the social schemes piggyback on India’s mammoth postal network to deliver benefits directly to the target beneficiaries. These are the extended mandates of our Post and Communications Department. They are no longer responsible only for delivering our letters. India has developed its Postal Department to provide multi-faceted services including core banking, The postal department is also associated with passport services.

He mentioned about the Vande Bharat Mission under which more than 6 million people have been brought back to India during Covid-19.

The cultural programme began with Mr. Vikas Sharma playing the Indian National Anthem on Khene, the Lao National musical instrument. He also played a hindi patriotic song on the flute. The Fanglao dance group performed two dance items, the first a traditional Lao dance on the popular Lao song ‘Phao Lao Sam Phan‘ celebrating the shared unity of the multi-ethnic Lao people, which resonates with India’s unity in diversity and the second dance was on a patriotic hindi song. Dr. Tejram Jat recited a Hindi poem penned by himself celebrating India’s achievements. Mr Sagar Joshi, a yoga teacher demonstrated Yoga Asanas.

The celebrations culminated with an Indian dinner.

Vientiane, Lao PDR
15 August 2021