A Republic Day breakfast

In spite of Sydney experiencing its wettest summer in over 50 years, over 250 people turned up at the home of the Indian Consul General in Sydney, Amit Dasgupta, for the celebrations to mark the 63rd Republic Day celebrations for India. The occasion marks the day India emerged as a strong, independent nation with its own Constitution and identity, while still having the maturity of being close to its former ruler. By a happy coincidence it is also the day when the First Fleet arrived in Australia from England, way back in 1788. Both India and Australia share this common connection with Britain, however both have moved on in their own way from there.

At precisely 9 am, CG Dasgupta unfurled the Indian national flag as the gathered crowds proudly sang the Indian national anthem. In a land so far away, in the leafy streets of Sydney’s North Shore, the singing of Jana gana mana must surely have sent a shiver up most people’s spine.

Amit Dasgupta then stepped up to the dais and read the message of the President of India to the nation.

President Pratibha Patil’s note to her countrymen was poignant in its appeal for a return to our “age-old values”, no doubt in the face of increasing corruption that marred much of last year. Talking about the “growing aspirations of the people”, she noted that “there are worries about the direction in which the human community is heading in this age of globalisation, knowledge and technology…. Sometimes one gets distracted by discordant pulls and pressures”. Those intrinsic qualities which saw India prosper through the centuries, must once again light our path, she declared.

These include duty and truth, compassion and humanity, care and respect of others, harmonious co-existence. The extraordinary mass discipline, steadfastness and patience that marked our freedom struggle should once again be reignited. “As we remove poverty, let us also enrich our thoughts”, she suggested. And for Gen Y, the very same message was even more forthright: “As our youth study more and acquire more knowledge, let them also learn to be more involved in activities for the progress of the nation, other than only selfadvancement”.

The President also called for “more faith in our own people’s strengths and in our institutions”.

Special mention was also made about the work that still needs to be done in the core areas of education, health, agriculture, the building of infrastructure and the status of women. Regarding foreign policy, she could not resist slipping in a passing comment that reflects India’s ambitions: “India seeks an architecture for global institutions that is more reflective of contemporary realities”.

The heavens opened up during the reading and while many stood bravely under the pouring rain, others found shelter in the attached double garage.

The skies were grey, but the mood was upbeat as various aspects of the President’s note sunk in. Breakfast was sumptuous as always as the crowd mingled. Having done their bit for the homeland, they went on to enjoy Australia Day, to whatever degree the rains would allow them to!

Pawan Luthra