The India High Commissioner to Ghana, Her Excellence Ruchi Ghanashyam together with Indians residing in Ghana have held a flag-raising ceremony to mark India’s 65th Independence Day in Accra.
The ceremony, held at the residence of H. E. Ruchi Ghanashyam, was attended by high-profile Indians from diverse economic and political background.
Reading an address by His Excellency Pratibha Devisingh Patil to the people of India, H. E. Ghanashyam said the anniversary signifies an important day in the history of India.
“This significant day in our nation’s calendar takes us back to the events that made our country a free nation,” she said.
H. E. Ghanashyam said India’s independence was won on the principles of truth and non-violence thus making their freedom struggle exceptional.
“Voices of freedom against oppression and colonial power were encouraged by India’s example.”
She said Indians can therefore be proud to belong to a country that has proved its greatness through values.
H. E. Ghanashyam said the day also provides an opportunity for retrospection “a time to take well thought out measures and to prepare well for the future.”
She said the real strength of a nation is judged not by the challenges it faces but responses to those challenges.
“We, as inheritors of a great legacy, carry a responsibility to stand by truth and justice, to continue to conduct ourselves in a manner that is in consonance with India’s standing.”
She also urged participants to analyze situations and find considered solutions in order to address the challenges they might be facing in a thoughtful manner.
“Our actions today, our decisions today will fashion our tomorrow. A deep sense of responsibility is a call of our time, all citizens have to demonstrate great maturity and self restrain as we deal with our problems,” she stated.
She also stressed the need to focus on education and skill development to build capacity in order to meet the requirements of the nation.
“I call on citizens to work with full commitment and dedication, honesty and integrity and with a sense of pride. If we do this there is much that we can achieve as a nation,” she noted.
Awards were presented to winners, who partook in an essay competition, organized by the High Commission of India in Accra to mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore.
Participants between the ages of 19 and 22 wrote an essay not less than 1000 words on the theme: “How Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore’s vision as reflected in the poem Mind Without Fear relevant in today’s world, particularly Ghana.”
GH¢500, GH¢300, GH¢200 were given to the first, second and third prize winners respectively in addition to books and Digital Video Disc (DVDs).
Certificates of appreciation, books and DVDs were also given to participants as consolation prizes.
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